In Calvinism, is there any correlation with the elect and the "blessed" in the Beatitudes of Matthew 5?
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I ask this as **blessed** can mean many things. Eternal life, financial wealth, health, having kids, having a job, being happy, etc. Blessings seem to be very broad, so I'd like to see if anyone can narrow it down or define the word for better understanding of what Jesus was intending for his audience to understand.
1. Does the blessing that Jesus speaks of mean one *specific* blessing
> 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, > for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, > for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, > for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, > for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, > for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, > for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, > for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, > for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. > > 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely > say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be > glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they > persecuted the prophets who were before you.
or type of blessing? Also, does the word blessed point to the same
specific blessing in each new phrase?
2. Alternatively, does part b of each phrase define the blessing from
part a (e.g. the blessing in v.3 is inheriting the kingdom, the
blessing in v.4 is comfort)?
I guess I'd like to hear a Calvinistic interpretation. Do these words of our Lord indicate then, that all of the elect will be poor in spirit, mournful, meek, etc.? Anybody not demonstrating these qualities would therefore be seen as non-elect?
Thank you.
> Matthew 5:3–11 (NIV) > 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, > for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, > for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, > for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, > for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, > for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, > for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, > for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, > for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. > > 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely > say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be > glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they > persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Asked by RJ Navarrete
(1088 rep)
Oct 8, 2015, 04:47 PM
Last activity: Nov 9, 2015, 02:39 PM
Last activity: Nov 9, 2015, 02:39 PM