not to perform
The Greek word here is "ποιεῖν" (poiein), which means to do or to make. This implies that our actions, particularly those of a spiritual or religious nature, should not be carried out with the intent of showcasing them to others. The focus is on the authenticity of our deeds, ensuring they stem from a genuine heart rather than a desire for recognition.

your righteous acts
"Righteous acts" refers to deeds of piety and charity, known in Greek as "δικαιοσύνην" (dikaiosynēn). In the Jewish tradition, acts of righteousness included almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. These were integral to a devout life, yet Jesus warns against performing them for the wrong reasons. The emphasis is on the inner righteousness that God desires, which surpasses mere external compliance.

before men
The phrase "before men" highlights the public nature of the actions being cautioned against. The Greek "ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων" (emprosthen tōn anthrōpōn) suggests a performance for an audience. Jesus is addressing the temptation to seek validation and praise from others, which can corrupt the purity of our intentions and lead us away from true spiritual fulfillment.

to be seen by them
This phrase underscores the motivation behind the actions—visibility and recognition. The Greek "θεαθῆναι αὐτοῖς" (theathēnai autois) conveys the idea of being observed or admired. Jesus warns that when our primary goal is to be noticed, we lose sight of the divine purpose of our actions, which should be to honor God and serve others selflessly.

If you do
This conditional statement introduces the consequence of acting with the wrong motives. It serves as a cautionary note, urging believers to reflect on their intentions. The Greek "εἰ δὲ μήγε" (ei de mēge) implies a choice, highlighting the importance of self-examination and the potential spiritual loss when actions are driven by the desire for human approval.

you will have no reward
The concept of "no reward" is significant in the context of divine recompense. The Greek "οὐκ ἔχετε μισθὸν" (ouk echete misthon) indicates a lack of heavenly reward. Jesus teaches that when we seek earthly recognition, we forfeit the eternal rewards that come from God. This serves as a powerful reminder of the eternal perspective we are called to maintain.

from your Father in heaven
This phrase emphasizes the source of true reward—God the Father. The Greek "παρὰ τῷ πατρὶ ὑμῶν τῷ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς" (para tō patri hymōn tō en tois ouranois) points to the intimate relationship between believers and God. It is a reminder that our ultimate accountability and reward come from Him, not from earthly accolades. This heavenly focus encourages believers to live with integrity and sincerity, seeking to please God above all else.

(1) From the protest against the casuistry which tampered with and distorted the great primary commandments, the Sermon on the Mount passes to the defects of character and action which vitiated the religion of Pharisaism even where it was at its best. Its excellence had been that it laid stress, as the religion of Islam did afterwards, on the three great duties of the religious life, almsgiving, fasting, and prayer, rather than on sacrifices and offerings. Verbally, Pharisaism accepted on this point the widest and most spiritual teaching of the prophets, and so its home was in the Synagogue rather than the Temple, and it gained a hold on the minds of the people which the priests never gained. But a subtle evil found its way even here. Love of praise and power, rather than spontaneous love, and self-denial, and adoration, was the mainspring of their action, and so that which is the essence of all religion was absent even from the acts in which the purest and highest form of religion naturally shows itself.

Your alms.--The better MSS. give righteousness, and obviously with a far truer meaning, as the wider word which branches off afterwards into the three heads of alms, fasting, prayer. In Rabbinic language the whole was often used for the part, and "righteousness" was identified with "mercifulness," and that with giving money. The Greek version of the LXX. often renders the Hebrew word for righteousness by "alms." In the New Testament, however, there is no such narrowing of its meaning, and here the full significance of the word is fixed by its use in Matthew 5:20. The reading "alms" probably arose from a misconception of the real meaning of the passage, and the consequent assumption that it simply introduced the rule given in Matthew 6:2-3.

To be seen of them.--It is the motive, and not the fact of publicity, that vitiates the action. The high ideal of the disciple of Christ is to let his light shine "before men" (the self-same words are used in Matthew 5:16 as here), and yet to be indifferent to their praise or even their opinion. In most religious men there is probably a mingling of the two motives, and we dare not say at what precise stage the presence of the lower overpowers the higher. It is enough to remember that it is the little speck which may taint the whole character till it loses all its life.

Of your Father which is in heaven.--More accurately, with your Father, as meaning, "in His estimate." The act is not done to and for Him, and therefore (speaking after the manner of men) He looks on it as having no claim to payment.

(1) it has this meaning nowhere else in the New Testament;

(2) the word for "alms" (ἐλεημοσύνη) comes in the next verse;

(3) the emphatic position of τὴν δικαιοσύνην (μὴ ποιεῖν), in contrast to ποιῇς ἐλεημοσύνην (ver. 2), points to it being a collective expression of which the various parts are mentioned in the following verses. The form also of the sentence, "when," etc., at the head of each of the other subjects, (vers. 5,16) shows that these are co-ordinated with ver. 2. Your; in contrast to that of the typical Jews. The limitation implied in ὑμῶν, gives a more partial and probably more external meaning to "righteousness" (cf. Ezekiel 18:22, 24) than is to be seen in the corresponding phrase in 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7. To be seen of them (πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι αὐτοῖς. Having for your final purpose (cf. Ellicott on 1 Corinthians 9:18) to be gazed at by them (cf. Matthew 23:5; Acts 1:11; and T.R. of Acts 8:18; at. supra, Matthew 5:28). Otherwise (Winer, § 65:3. c). Ye have no reward (Matthew 5:12, note). Of your Father; Authorized Version margin and Revised Version, with; the thought being not that it is given by him, but that it is laid up with him (παρὰ τῷ Πατρὶ ὑμῶν). Perhaps, however, the preposition rather means "in the judgment of" (cf. 1 Peter 2:4). Your Father (Matthew 5:16. note). Notice the frequent repetition of the phrase in this context (Matthew 5:48; Matthew 6:4, 6, 8, 15, 18 bis).

Parallel Commentaries ...