A merciful person forgives the guilty and has compassion on the needy and the suffering. A meek person acknowledges to others that he or she is sinful, but a merciful person has compassion on others because they are sinful. [1] Notice that Jesus did not specify a situation or situations in which the merciful person displays mercy because he or she is characteristically merciful. The promise applies in many different situations. [source][source][source]
The blessing of the merciful is that they will receive mercy from God. Jesus did not mean that people can earn God"s mercy for salvation by being merciful to others. God will deal mercifully with people who have dealt mercifully with their fellowmen (cf. Matthew 6:12-15; Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7; Matthew 18:33-34). There are many Old Testament texts that speak of Messiah dealing mercifully with the merciful (e.g, Isaiah 49:10; Isaiah 49:13; Isaiah 54:8; Isaiah 54:10; Isaiah 60:10; Zechariah 10:6). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Matthew 5:1-9 - Opening Words Of Grace And Truth
There are many doors into the life of blessedness. It does not depend on outward possessions, such as worldly goods or high birth. There is no soul of man, however illiterate, lonely, or poor, that may not step suddenly into this life of beatitude and begin to drink of the river that makes glad the city of God. Our Lord lived this life before He described it. He has opened the doors for us. If you cannot enter by the gate of purity, can you not come in by that which is reserved for those who hunger and thirst?
Note the passive side of the blessed life. To be poor in spirit, that is, to be lowly in one's self-estimate; to be meek, not always interested in one's rights; to mourn for the evils of one's own heart and for the sin and sorrow around; to hunger and thirst after Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. These dispositions do not purchase blessedness, but to cultivate them is to be blessed. On the positive side are mercy, purity, peace and willingness to suffer all things for Christ. Here is 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 anticipated! [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 5
1Jesus' sermon on the mount: 3The Beattitudes; 13the salt of the earth; 14the light of the world 17He came to fulfill the law 21What it is to kill; 27to commit adultery; 33to swear 38He exhorts to forgive wrong, 43to love our enemies; 48and to labor after perfection
Greek Commentary for Matthew 5:7
Obtain mercy [ελεητησονται] “A self-acting law of the moral world” (Bruce). [source]
James 2:13Without mercy [ανελεος] Found here only save a doubtful papyrus example (ανελεως aneleōs) for the vernacular ανιλεως anileōs and the Attic ανηλεης anēleēs For this principle of requital see Matthew 5:7; Matthew 6:14; Matthew 7:1.; Matthew 18:33. [source]
Greek Commentary for Matthew 5:7
“A self-acting law of the moral world” (Bruce). [source]
See on Luke 1:50. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 5:7
Found here only save a doubtful papyrus example (ανελεως aneleōs) for the vernacular ανιλεως anileōs and the Attic ανηλεης anēleēs For this principle of requital see Matthew 5:7; Matthew 6:14; Matthew 7:1.; Matthew 18:33. [source]