Summary: Matt 5:3-12 - the beatitudes - supreme blessedness or happiness, Godly contentment - they're all inter-related - poor in spirit - convicted of our own spiritual poverty (Luke 18:13) - mourn - do so in a specific sense: over one's own spiritual poverty, one's sinfulness (Ps. 51:3-4) - meek - gentle, easy to be entreated, would rather suffer injury than inflict it (Ex. 32:19-20,30-34,Num.12:1-3) - merciful - loving towards those in misery - good samaritan (Luke 23:24, Acts 7:60), forgiving those who've sinned against them - pure in heart - honesty which has no hidden motive or selfish interest (Ps. 24:3-4) - peace maker - devote their lives to make peace (Rom. 12:18-21,5:1) - persecuted for righteousness sake
