If I quoted the Beatitudes, most Bible versions would read “Blessed are…” those experiencing different conditions. But what does ‘blessed’ mean? Does the word depend on each person’s own definition? Some translators substitute words like ‘happy’, ‘envied’, or the like. Yet, individuals going through ‘poverty’, ‘mourning’, or ‘meekness’ would not label their emotions using those words. Based on their feelings, they might say ‘cursed’ might better describe their feelings.
Whatever definition someone might give the term ‘blessed’, the probability of them correctly interpreting the Beatitudes would miss the mark of how Jesus was using the term. The original word used was a Greek word that, as with so many words, the definition would evolve according to their current culture. This explains why the New English Bible (1535) translates the verse as, “How blest are those who know they are poor.” This prompts us to ask, ‘How many other words in the Bible have translators inaccurately defined?’
The history (etymology) of the Greek word makarios, translated ‘Blessed’ by most translators in the Beatitudes, has a fascinating storyline. Homer used it in the ‘Odyssey’ to describe the Olympian gods-beings who existed in a state of inner completeness that no one in this world could experience. In his ‘Nicomachean Ethics,’ Aristotle later used that word to describe the ultimate form of human flourishing. It was not based on pleasure, wealth, or popularity. It looked like someone who had found their calling and was flourishing living it out. Still later, Jesus used this word to a crowd who used Greek as their major language. They immediately recognized it as referring to the early Greek gods. None of these uses of the Greek word had referenced wealth or popularity or anything our current secular culture would classify as an ideal lifestyle.
Using that definition for Jesus’ word choice in the Beatitudes makes it easier to recognize the Beatitudes as subtle calls encouraging hurting individuals toward a divine form of living. This life would start the moment they chose to surrender their personal rights to the King of God’s kingdom. God’s gift to that person would be living an indescribable life unrelated to happiness or worldly comforts. Even when surrounded by material riches, a person can suffer deep unhappiness if their inner state is troubled, while someone with nothing can live an abundant life..
I have seen hundreds of people choose that path and start to feel a new sense of inner peace and joy despite their painful circumstances. Their entire perspective on life changes. I, personally, have also found the more a person surrenders their rights, the inner peace and joy increases and turns a ‘lion’s den’, as Daniel (chapter 6) experience, into the presence of God.
When I discovered the true meaning of the word ‘blessed’, it entirely changed how I interpreted the Beatitudes and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It ignited in me a desire to learn more about the kingdom of God’s culture. Moses said to God, “If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor.” Exodus 33:13a (NLT2). That has been my personal prayer and primary quest in life. What do your prayers and quest in life involve? Regrettably, many of us fall short of the abundant life Jesus encouraged us to pray for—Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Are you steadily experiencing more about experiencing kingdom life while living on this earth? “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 (ESV)