What does Matthew 6:1 teach about the motivation behind good deeds? Canonical Text “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 6:1, Berean Standard Bible Immediate Context within the Sermon on the Mount Matthew 6:1 opens the central movement of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 – 7) that contrasts true kingdom righteousness with the ostentatious piety of the religious elite (cf. Matthew 5:20). Verses 2-18 apply the principle to giving, prayer, and fasting. Verse 19 shifts to treasures, showing a unified theme: God-centered devotion versus audience-centered performance. Historical and Cultural Background First-century Judaism valued almsgiving, prayer, and fasting (Tobit 12:8-9; m. Taanit 2:1). Public squares and synagogues (Matthew 6:2, 5) were natural stages for self-promotion. Jesus neither condemns these disciplines nor public visibility itself (cf. Matthew 5:16) but exposes motives corrupted by a craving for human applause. Old Testament Foundations God always weighs motives (1 Samuel 16:7; Proverbs 16:2). Proverbs 21:2 parallels Matthew 6:1: “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.” Isaiah 58 contrasts hypocritical fasting with heart-level obedience, anticipating Jesus’ critique. Theological Principle: Godward Motivation Matthew 6:1 teaches that deeds acceptable to God arise from love for Him, not from the pursuit of social capital. Seeking human praise displaces God as the supreme audience (Galatians 1:10). The Father’s reward language (ἀποδίδωμι) frames good works within a relational dynamic, not a transaction; God delights to acknowledge deeds performed for His glory (Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 25:21). Consistency with the Call to Shine (Matthew 5:16) “Let your light shine before men” (Matthew 5:16) is complementary, not contradictory. Visibility is incidental; motive is decisive. When works are shown so “they may glorify your Father,” the same Father who sees in secret (Matthew 6:4) receives the credit. Scripture harmonizes perfectly, affirming its divine authorship (2 Timothy 3:16). Early Church Reception • Didache 8 links secret prayer and fasting to Matthew 6. • Chrysostom (Hom. 19 on Matthew) warned that human applause “empties the soul of the heavenly crown.” Patristic consensus viewed the verse as a guardrail against pride, echoing James 4:6. Practical Implications for Giving, Prayer, Fasting • Give quietly (Matthew 6:2-4). Use anonymity when feasible. • Pray privately (Matthew 6:5-6) while not neglecting corporate prayer. • Fast discreetly (Matthew 6:16-18), focusing on dependence upon God. Spiritual disciplines become conduits for worship rather than public relations. Gospel Connection Jesus fulfilled perfect righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Believers, credited with His righteousness, now practice good deeds not to earn salvation but to display it (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-8). Matthew 6:1 guards against reverting to a works-based mindset antithetical to grace. Eschatological Reward “Your Father… will reward you” (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18). Scripture depicts tangible future rewards (1 Corinthians 3:14; Revelation 22:12) and present fellowship joy (John 14:21). The loss referenced in 6:1 is not salvation but forfeiture of these rewards when motives are corrupted. Modern Illustrations and Miracles Documented healings in answer to unpublicized prayer meetings (e.g., missionary hospital cases catalogued in peer-reviewed journals of Christian medical societies) illustrate the Father “who sees in secret.” When testimonies are later shared, glory accrues to God, not to any healer. Common Objections Addressed Objection: “Isn’t any public charity automatically disqualified?” Answer: Visibility is permissible; intentional self-glorification is condemned. God discerns “why,” not merely “what.” Objection: “Does the promise of reward itself not taint motives?” Answer: Biblical rewards enhance, not replace, God-centered motives, because the greatest reward is deeper communion with Him (Psalm 73:25-26). Summary Statement Matthew 6:1 teaches that authentic good deeds arise from a heart set on pleasing the Father rather than impressing people. Motivation, not mere action, determines heavenly reward. The verse harmonizes with the entirety of Scripture, confirmed by reliable manuscripts, validated by transformed lives, and consonant with both theological and behavioral insights. In all things, the call is to glorify God, who alone searches hearts and grants eternal reward. |
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