Matthew 6:18 - so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
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What does "Matthew 6:18" mean?
This verse, Matthew 6:18, is part of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, specifically his teachings on religious practices like giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting. In this section, Jesus is emphasizing the importance of sincerity and inner motivation in religious actions over outward displays of piety for the sake of recognition.
Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:
"so that you are not seen by men to be fasting...": This part highlights the key point: don't fast in a way that's designed to attract attention or impress others. Jesus is warning against performing religious acts with the primary goal of being admired by people. He's not saying you must hide your fasting at all costs, but rather that your motivation shouldn't be about seeking public approval.
"...but by your Father who is in secret...": This suggests that the true audience for your fasting (and other acts of devotion) is God. God sees your heart and your true intentions. "In secret" emphasizes that God sees beyond outward appearances.
"...and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.": This is the promise. When your fasting is motivated by a genuine desire to connect with God and not by a desire for human praise, God notices and will reward you. The nature of the reward is not explicitly defined, but it could include spiritual growth, a deeper relationship with God, answered prayers, or blessings in your life.
In essence, the verse means:
Focus on inward sincerity, not outward show: Jesus is teaching that religious practices should be done from a place of genuine faith and devotion to God, not as a performance for others.
God sees your heart: God is aware of your true motivations. He values sincerity over appearances.
True reward comes from God: If you are motivated by God and not by human praise, God will bless you.
Context and Interpretation:
It's important to understand this verse in the context of the entire chapter and Jesus's overall message. He is consistently criticizing hypocrisy and emphasizing the importance of inner transformation over outward religious displays. He wants people to cultivate a genuine relationship with God based on sincerity and love, not on a desire for public recognition.
Matthew 6:18 - so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
What does "Matthew 6:18" mean?
This verse, Matthew 6:18, is part of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, specifically his teachings on religious practices like giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting. In this section, Jesus is emphasizing the importance of sincerity and inner motivation in religious actions over outward displays of piety for the sake of recognition.
Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:
"so that you are not seen by men to be fasting...": This part highlights the key point: don't fast in a way that's designed to attract attention or impress others. Jesus is warning against performing religious acts with the primary goal of being admired by people. He's not saying you must hide your fasting at all costs, but rather that your motivation shouldn't be about seeking public approval.
"...but by your Father who is in secret...": This suggests that the true audience for your fasting (and other acts of devotion) is God. God sees your heart and your true intentions. "In secret" emphasizes that God sees beyond outward appearances.
"...and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.": This is the promise. When your fasting is motivated by a genuine desire to connect with God and not by a desire for human praise, God notices and will reward you. The nature of the reward is not explicitly defined, but it could include spiritual growth, a deeper relationship with God, answered prayers, or blessings in your life.
In essence, the verse means:
Focus on inward sincerity, not outward show: Jesus is teaching that religious practices should be done from a place of genuine faith and devotion to God, not as a performance for others.
God sees your heart: God is aware of your true motivations. He values sincerity over appearances.
True reward comes from God: If you are motivated by God and not by human praise, God will bless you.
Context and Interpretation:
It's important to understand this verse in the context of the entire chapter and Jesus's overall message. He is consistently criticizing hypocrisy and emphasizing the importance of inner transformation over outward religious displays. He wants people to cultivate a genuine relationship with God based on sincerity and love, not on a desire for public recognition.