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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 (short): What is mercy? |
Question (full): 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 |