“Paul – Beatitudes“
[By Danielle Sanderson]
In Matthew 5, we find the Beatitudes. One person, in particular, who I think fits most of these, if not all, is the apostle Paul. In 5:3, it says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (ESV). Paul, in his ignorant endeavor of jailing and killing Christians, recognized he was in need of God’s grace and mercy. Paul gave up his power and prestige as a Roman citizen to become “poor in spirit” when he obeyed the gospel. The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who confess their spiritual bankruptcy. Verse 4 says, “blessed are those that mourn, for they shall be comforted” (ESV). The spiritual, emotional, or financial loss that results from sin should lead to mourning and longing for God’s forgiveness and healing. In Romans 7, Paul says, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (ESV) His answer is through Jesus Christ. Sin continues to dwell within, and Paul kept that in mind. All Christians should be aware of how they fall short of God’s absolute standard of righteousness. In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul reflected on past sins that haunted him. “….Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (ESV).
Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (ESV). Paul was exemplary at showing this. In Ephesians 3:7, it says, “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given to me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things” (ESV). Paul was duty bound to proclaim the gospel, yet he regarded this burden as a gift of God’s grace because he served out of gratitude for the grace that he himself had received which he wanted to share with others.
Another Beatitude that fits Paul is in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (ESV). The meek in this verse are people who do not assert themselves over others in order to further their own agenda. Paul was an excellent example of this; in Philippians 2:3, Paul himself says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (ESV). Paul demonstrated selflessness and care and concern for brothers and sisters in Christ in his letters and teachings of the gospel.
Another Beatitude, in Matthew 5:10, lists “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God” (ESV). In 2 Corinthians 11:23-33, Paul describes his trials: “….I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Fives times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea. On frequent journeys, in danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers, in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches….” (ESV). While we certainly do not suffer like Paul did, can you imagine being in his shoes? Would your faith remain bold and strong? Will you continuously trust in God through the hard times like he did?
To wrap things up, in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Paul writes, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (ESV). Can you say the same of yourself? If you hesitated in answering yourself, should you change that? Have you “fought the good fight? Kept the faith? Finished the race?” One last thing to ask yourself, how many Beatitudes do you fit in Matthew 5?