What does this mean to you?
Peace Be With You,
Debra
2007-11-26 15:00:16 · 12 answers · asked by Debra M. Wishing Peace To All 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I take it to mean someone who depends on God for everything.
I am poor in spirit because I depend on God for the Strength to get through the day.
I am poor in spirit because I depend on the Love of God to survive
I am poor in spirit because I depend on what God has given me to work and share in His Glory.
2007-11-26 15:08:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The first of these happinesses literally reads: “Happy the poor ones (as) to the spirit.” The Greek word for “poor ones” here used is very meaningful. In the Greek there are two words for “poor.” One is penikhros′. It refers to those who are not rich but have to toil for a living. The other word is ptokhos′. It refers, to one who is wretchedly poor, destitute, a beggar. This is the word used in Jesus’ first happiness. Such a one is keenly aware of his poverty. Thus a footnote of the New World Translation (1950, 1963 editions) reads, “those who are beggars for the spirit.” Today’s English Version reads: “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor.” Most fittingly, therefore, the New World Translation renders Jesus’ words: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.”
2007-11-26 23:13:30 · answer #2 · answered by johnusmaximus1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi, Debra. I think it means someone who is humble toward others, and fully conscious of his or her utter dependence upon the Lord's grace for everything.
Peace be with you, too. I hope you've been well.
2007-11-26 23:10:30 · answer #3 · answered by words for the birds 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK, the "Beatitudes" are a bit of "upside-down" theology to the point of view common in Jesus' world... and ours. In TRUTH, any human IS "poor in Spirit." The point here becomes RECOGNIZING that fact...
"Jesus, I realize that I am poor and worthless without YOUR influence in my life. Pour your Spirit through me and USE me as YOU desire."
... THAT is the meaning.
2007-11-27 04:25:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I consider myself utterly bankrupt and devoid of anything that could commend me to the approval of God except for the grace I have received from the Lord Jesus Christ.
If left to my own devices and abandoned by God I would surely sink back into the depths of depravity and wickedness that He, by the virtue of His blood, has redeemed me from.
I agree heartily with the words of the songwriter:
"My hope is based on nothing less,
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand."
2007-11-26 23:09:46 · answer #5 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It either means "sad" or it means "humble." I'm not sure which. In Luke's version, it just says "the poor." Matthew adds "in spirit." Very different meanings, I would think.
2007-11-26 23:05:09 · answer #6 · answered by Jonathan 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means someone who has not taken much of his spiritual richess, maybe due to ignorance or temptation. Am I? Yes.
Oh by the way, how are you?
2007-11-26 23:08:31 · answer #7 · answered by Frontal Lobe 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Peace be with you mean to me that Jesus is with me. For only with the LORD shall you have true peace.
2007-11-26 23:04:07 · answer #8 · answered by LC 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Great question.
Could it mean lack of an attitude of self-sufficiency?
2007-11-26 23:14:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it means humble.
Nice to see you back Debra.
(((((HUGS))))
2007-11-26 23:03:39 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋