What is the meaning of Matthew 6:5? And when you pray • Jesus assumes His disciples will pray, not merely suggests it. • Prayer is a normal, continual practice for believers (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 11:2). • By introducing the subject this way, the Lord underscores that communion with the Father is essential, not optional (Philippians 4:6). do not be like the hypocrites • “Hypocrites” are people whose outward piety masks an unchanged heart (Matthew 23:27; Isaiah 29:13). • The warning is about imitation of false religion, not elimination of public prayer. • Genuine prayer flows from sincerity before the God who “searches every heart” (1 Chronicles 28:9). For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners • The posture or place is not condemned; Scripture records faithful people praying publicly—Solomon at the temple (1 Kings 8:22) and the early church together (Acts 4:24). • What is condemned is loving the setting because it supplies an admiring audience. • When prayer is turned into a performance, the heart shifts from God to self-promotion (Luke 18:10-14). to be seen by men • Motive is the decisive issue: “For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). • Seeking human applause steals glory that belongs to God alone (Isaiah 42:8). • True devotion pursues the Father’s approval, not public recognition (Colossians 3:23-24). Truly I tell you • Jesus’ solemn formula guarantees the certainty of what follows (Matthew 24:35). • His authority is final; ignoring His words carries real loss (John 12:48). they already have their full reward • Earthly praise is the only return hypocrites receive; nothing more awaits them from the Father (Matthew 6:1). • Any applause ends quickly; eternal reward is forfeited (2 Corinthians 5:10). • Living for heaven’s reward redirects attention from self to God, yielding joy that endures (Hebrews 11:6). summary Jesus teaches that prayer is expected, but it must be sincere. Imitating showy hypocrites who crave public admiration empties prayer of its true purpose and forfeits heavenly reward. God prizes a heart that seeks His face rather than human applause, and He alone grants lasting reward to those who pray for His glory. |
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