New International Version so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. New Living Translation Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. English Standard Version so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Berean Standard Bible so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Berean Literal Bible so that your charity may be in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, will reward to you. King James Bible That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. New King James Version that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. New American Standard Bible so that your charitable giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. NASB 1995 so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. NASB 1977 that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. Legacy Standard Bible so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Amplified Bible so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. Berean Annotated Bible so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father {Patēr}, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Christian Standard Bible so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Holman Christian Standard Bible so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. American Standard Version that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. Contemporary English Version Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret and will reward you. English Revised Version that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret shall recompense thee. GOD'S WORD® Translation Give your contributions privately. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you. Good News Translation Then it will be a private matter. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you. International Standard Version so that your giving may be done in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." NET Bible so that your gift may be in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you. New Heart English Bible so that your charitable giving may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Webster's Bible Translation That thy alms may be in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret, himself will reward thee openly. Weymouth New Testament that your charities may be in secret; and then your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleso that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will Himself reward you openly. World English Bible so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthat your kindness may be in secret, and your Father who is seeing in secret will reward you Himself. Berean Literal Bible so that your charity may be in secret. And your Father, the One seeing in secret, will reward to you. Young's Literal Translation that thy kindness may be in secret, and thy Father who is seeing in secret Himself shall reward thee manifestly. Smith's Literal Translation That thine alms might be in secret; and thy Father, who seeing in secret, shall give back to thee openly. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThat thy alms may be in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret will repay thee. Catholic Public Domain Version so that your almsgiving may be in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will repay you. New American Bible so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. New Revised Standard Version so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo that your alms may be done secretly, and your Father who sees in secret, shall himself reward you openly. Aramaic Bible in Plain English So that your charity may be in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you in public. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentthat your charitable deeds may be in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, himself will reward you openly. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret, will himself reward thee openly. Mace New Testament that your alms may be secret: and your father who sees your secret actions, shall reward you. Weymouth New Testament that your charities may be in secret; and then your Father--He who sees in secret--will recompense you. Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Giving to the Needy…3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 5And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.… Cross References so that your giving may be in secret. Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, Psalm 139:1-4 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. / You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. … Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. will reward you. Colossians 3:24 because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done. 2 John 1:8 Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. Proverbs 19:17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. Acts 10:4 Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God. 1 John 3:17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? Treasury of Scripture That your alms may be in secret: and your Father which sees in secret himself shall reward you openly. seeth. Matthew 6:6,18 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly… Psalm 17:3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Psalm 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. reward. Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 25:34-40 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: … 1 Samuel 2:30 Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Jump to Previous Alms Charities Deeds Kindness Manifestly Merciful Openly Recompense Render Reward SecretJump to Next Alms Charities Deeds Kindness Manifestly Merciful Openly Recompense Render Reward SecretMatthew 6 1. Giving to the Needy5. The Lord's Prayer 16. Proper Fasting 19. Store up Treasures in Heaven 25. Do Not Worry 33. but seek God's kingdom. so that your giving may be in secret. Jesus forbids charitable giving done for public recognition. In a society where visible acts of piety could bring honor and social standing, generosity was to be directed toward relieving need rather than enhancing reputation. Hidden giving reveals motives centered on God and the welfare of others. Pro 21:14 A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe…… And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, God is fully aware of acts that receive no human notice. Calling Him Father emphasizes the relationship Jesus gives His disciples with God, who knows both their actions and the intentions behind them. Nothing done faithfully before Him is overlooked. Psa 139:1-4 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD,… will reward you. God’s reward surpasses temporary human praise. He honors obedience offered with sincere motives, whether the reward is experienced in this life or fully received in eternity. Col 3:24 because you know that you will receive an inheritance… Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this passage, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which includes teachings on righteous living. 2. The Father (God) The one who sees in secret and rewards those who act with pure intentions. 3. The Disciples and the Crowd The immediate audience of Jesus' teachings, representing all followers of Christ. 4. The Sermon on the Mount The setting of this teaching, a collection of Jesus' teachings on various aspects of righteous living. 5. The Secret Place A metaphorical place representing the private and sincere actions of believers, away from public recognition. Teaching Points Sincerity in GivingOur acts of charity should be motivated by love and obedience to God, not by a desire for human praise. God's Omniscience God sees all actions, even those done in secret, and He values the intentions behind them. Heavenly Rewards True rewards come from God, not from human accolades. Our focus should be on eternal rewards rather than temporary recognition. Cultivating a Private Faith Develop a personal and private relationship with God that is not dependent on public validation. Integrity in Christian Living Live consistently with Christian values both in public and private, ensuring that your actions align with your faith. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 6:4?2. How can we practice giving in secret as taught in Matthew 6:4? 3. Why does God reward secret acts of righteousness, according to Matthew 6:4? 4. How does Matthew 6:4 connect with Proverbs 19:17 about giving to the poor? 5. What steps can you take to ensure your giving remains private and sincere? 6. How does Matthew 6:4 challenge our motives in charitable actions today? 7. What does Matthew 6:4 reveal about God's view on secret acts of charity? 8. How does Matthew 6:4 challenge the desire for public recognition in charitable deeds? 9. Why is the promise of reward from God significant in Matthew 6:4? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 6? (4) That thine alms may be in secret.--Here again we have a principle rather than a rule. Publicity may be a duty, especially in public work. But this--gifts for schools, hospitals, and the like--is hardly contemplated in the word "alms," which refers rather to acts of mercy, to cases of individual suffering. Ostentation in those acts is what our Lord especially condemns. Thy Father which seeth in secret.--The attribute which we call the Omniscience of God is commonly dwelt on as calculated to inspire a just fear of the All-seeing One. He sees, we say, the evil deeds that are done in secret. Here it is brought before us as an encouragement and ground of hope. Do we feel isolated, not understood, not appreciated? He sees in secret and will reward. Shall reward thee openly.--A curious instance of an early attempt to improve on our Lord's teaching. The adverb "openly" is not found in the best MSS., and is now omitted by most editors. It would seem either as if a false rhetorical taste desired a more complete antithesis, or that the craving for public acknowledgment in the presence of men and angels asserted itself even here, and led men to add to the words of the divine Teacher. It need hardly be said that the addition weakens and lowers the force of the truth asserted. It is not necessarily in this way, "openly," that God rewards His servants, nor do the words point only to the reward of the last great day. The reward is at once immediate, and, it may be, secret--the hidden manna, the joy with which a stranger doth not intermeddle, and which no man taketh from us. Verse 4. - And thy Father which seeth in secret (comp. ver. 6, note). Himself. Revised 'Version omits, with the manuscripts. Shall reward thee; Revised Version, shall recompense thee (ἀποδώσει σοι). Shall give to thee in full measure corresponding to the contents of that which is really due (cf. Isaiah 65:6, 7, LXX.). When this" recompense" shall be given is not stated. If, as is probable, our Lord is thinking of the" reward" of ver. 1 and Matthew 5:12, it would naturally be given at the judgment-day. Openly. Revised Version omits, with the manuscripts; similarly vers. 6,18. The interpolation was probably made not only because of the contrast suggested by "in secret," but also to indicate more precisely the time when God would do this. Matthew 6:4 shifts the spotlight from public acclaim to private devotion. Jesus calls His followers to give quietly, resting in relationship with their heavenly Father. The God who sees every hidden act promises personal, trustworthy reward, freeing His children to live generously without seeking the applause of people.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek so thatὅπως (hopōs) Conjunction Strong's 3704: From hos and pos; what(-ever) how, i.e. In the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual). your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. giving ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosynē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 1654: Abstr: alms-giving, charity; concr: alms, charity. From eleos; compassionateness, i.e. beneficence, or a benefaction. may be ᾖ (ē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. secret. κρυπτῷ (kryptō) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 2927: From krupto; concealed, i.e. Private. And καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. your σου (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Father, Πατήρ (Patēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. who sees βλέπων (blepōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. what is done τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. in secret, κρυπτῷ (kryptō) Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 2927: From krupto; concealed, i.e. Private. will reward ἀποδώσει (apodōsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 591: From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc. you. σοι (soi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Additonal Resources Matthew 6:4 Blue Letter BibleMatthew 6:4 Bible Gateway Matthew 6:4 Bible.com Matthew 6:4 NIV |
    |