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NASB | Matthew 5:7 ¶ "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:7 ¶ "Blessed [content, sheltered by God's promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. |
Bible Question:
The usual use of "mercy" generally involves a power relationship between the two parties. For example, the judge treats the criminal clemency. So this beatitude would relate to how we use authority, in the family, workplace, etc. A few things I have read about this beatitude, however, interpret "mercy" akin to "compassion": mercy is aiding someone who is SUFFERING. A biblical occurence of this would be the good samaratan having mercy on the wounded traveller. Help me out here. Is the broader definition part of mercy, or only the one that has a sense of authority to it? Many of the occurences of the word "mercy" in the gospel are ambiguous to this distinction, because people are crying out "Lord, have mercy." In these cases, both senses apply, for they are appealing to a higher authority ("Lord") to respond to their suffering (illnesses, possessions, etc.). JRM |
Bible Answer: This may sound abit trite, but simply put, mercy is not getting what you do deserve. Of course in any context, it would imply some level of authority or some power over the other person involved, but always with God, we are under His authority and must answer to Him. Therefore, to ask His mercy is to ask Him to not give to us the just result of our actions and to show us---mercy. The suffering aspect would be because most would view their suffeing to be in retribution for a transgression, which, as Job shows us, may or may not be the case. |