The New Testament of the Bible was written entirely in Greek. The original letters and books of the New Testament were all originally penned in the common language of the day; Koine Greek. The authors of the New Testament all spoke and wrote in it and our English New Testament Bibles have all been translated from it.

I love the Greek language, I really do. I love its precision. I love its nuances. I love its clarity. As a pastor, I have been studying it now for over 20 years. That said, I do not, by any stretch, profess to be a Greek language scholar. There are men and women who have devoted their entire lives to the study of that language. I am not one of them. I study Greek (or Hebrew for the Old Testament) for the purpose of understanding the original intent and meaning of the original writers. I want to know exactly what they were trying to say at the time that they said it. That is what I am after.

The Greek language is a language of precision (unlike English!). An example of the difference between Greek and English can be found in the word “love.” In English, we use the word “love” to express our love for ice cream and our love for our children. However, the love that we are speaking about is not the same for each. The love I have for my children is infinitely beyond the love I have for ice cream (although pumpkin ice cream gets close). By contrast, in Greek, there are four separate words for “love”:

• The Greek word “phileo” describes a deep brotherly love.
• The Greek word “storge” describes familial love.
• The Greek word “eros” describes intimate or sexual love.
• The Greek word “agape” describes a divine, supernatural love.

This precision is carried further by the fact that its language centers around its verbs. In Greek, the text is carried along by its verbs. In short, verbs are a big deal in the Greek language.

1. Have you studied any foreign languages?

2. Do you have any examples of that language being translated differently into English?

I tell you this because, as we move through Matthew chapter 6, we are going to emphasize key Greek words, specifically the verbs that Jesus uses to say what He wants to say. We will highlight them. So, all Greek verbs will be underlined and in bold (like this). Some Greek nouns will be emphasized as well. Our focus will be on the verbs as they are the key to unlocking and understanding the passage.

One last thing to mention before we dive in, as we come to the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 6, is that we are not entering into a new thing. What I mean is, chapter 6 is actually smacked in the middle of Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount” which was given to the multitudes. It began in chapter 5 and stretches into chapter 7.

I have been to this mountain teaching spot in Israel. It is quite a sight. The mount is a large hillside with a natural bowl-like curve and slope. It could easily seat five thousand or more people, and because of its shape and size it is an ideal amphitheater. I was amazed to be able to hear clearly the words of someone speaking at the bottom from the top. Jesus chose His spot well.

That said, we have come into the middle of this master of all sermons.

Giving to Those in Need

Matthew 6:1-4 (NKJV) says, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

I want to first look at Matthew 6:1 (NKJV), “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

Chapter 6 begins with a warning that repeats several times throughout Matthew’s Gospel. The Lord Jesus tells us to “take heed.” “Take heed” comes from the Greek verb “Prosecho” and means “to hold in mind.”

It was a nautical term that meant to hold a ship in a certain direction to avoid drifting off course. In this instance, our Lord is using it in the negative. He is telling us to avoid, steer clear of, or away from something. If we continue the boat analogy, then there is an iceberg in the water that we must be careful to avoid! To “Take heed” is to watch carefully for a very real danger.

3. What are some “icebergs” that we need to avoid?

He tells us that we must be careful with what we “do.” “Do” comes from the Greek verb “Poieo” and means “to be (busy) about.”

The emphasis here is not just on what we do but on how we do what we do. The warning is in relation to our “charitable deeds,” which refers to any way that we would help others who are in need. Our King tells us to be careful how we help others.

His instruction is to be careful when we “do” these things, that we do not do them “to be seen.” “To be seen” comes from the Greek verb “Theaomai” and means “to stare at or to look intently at something.”

Jesus is warning us against doing the right things in the wrong ways. Specifically, we are not to do them in a way that causes people to concentrate or focus on us. He said something similar when He said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, NKJV).

4. How do we sometimes do the right thing in the wrong way?

Everyone listening to Jesus’ warning here knew what He was referring to. It was not uncommon in that day to see religious leaders (Sadducees, Scribes, and Pharisees) come into the temple with an entourage of people blowing trumpets, making noise, and calling attention to themselves. As soon as all eyes were on them, the religious leader would piously step forward to drop his offering into the box for all to see (and admire!). Jesus was revealing that the goal of those who give like this is not to help the poor or needy but rather to be admired by others. Do not do this! Jesus says, “Steer your boat in the opposite direction of what you have seen them do.” The goal in giving must always be to help those in need and honor the Lord. It must never be to promote ourselves.

At the end of verse one, we are confronted with a choice. It is found in the word “have.” “Have” comes from the Greek verb “Echo” and means “to have or hold.”

Jesus tells us that we can “have” one of only two rewards. The first is what He has already said, “to be seen by” people. This “reward” is that people will see us, see what we have done, and admire us. Insert sarcasm: What a reward! The second “reward” is from our “Father in heaven” and it is His seeing. He sees what we have done and it brings Him joy. The reward is His approval.

The whole of the New Testament teaches that the reward of Heaven is not gold or physical treasures but rather, His happiness with us. One day, He will say to each of us, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21, NKJV). It is this, His approval of us, that will be the great reward of Heaven. Jesus tells us to choose between the momentary admiration of people or the eternal approval of our King. He says that it is one or the other and that we forfeit the one to gain the other. The choice seems obvious!

Steer clear of doing good things to be admired by people. For in so doing, you give up the eternal reward from your Father.

Matthew 6:2 (NKJV) continues, “Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”

Verse two begins with, what would have been to His audience, a familiar illustration. We have mentioned it already. He calls attention to the “giving” practice of religious leaders. He calls them “hypocrites.”

“Hypocrites” comes from the Greek verb hupokrites and means “to play a part, to act, to pretend.”

It comes from a word that means to “wear a mask” and described actors in a play who would change masks to change characters in the play. Jesus calls these religious leaders “mask-wearers” and “actors.” He is telling us that what they were doing and what they appeared to be doing were two different things. They appeared to be giving to the needs of others. This was an act. The reality is that they were giving to be praised by others.

5. In what ways do people wear masks today?

Jesus sets the contrast between what we “do” and what they “do.” They “sound a trumpet” before they give so that they are seen and admired. Their goal, Jesus says is “glory from men.” “Glory” comes from the Greek word “Doxa” and means “to recognize a person or thing for what they are”.

In terms of religious leaders, they are wanting people to recognize them as great men, generous men, and morally above others. They want human recognition and honor and do not care about God’s recognition or the needs of others. They were pretenders. They were like Judas whose objection to the perfumed offering was false. He exclaimed that “it could have been sold and the money given to the poor” but we read that he said this “not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it” (John 12:6, NKJV). He was an actor. He had ulterior motives. Here Jesus says, they “have” what they are actually seeking; the approval of people. They will not have any honor or recognition from the Lord. They have made their choice, and they chose poorly.

When you help someone else, do not call attention to it. The recognition that comes from people is a poor reward.

Matthew 6:3 (NKJV) adds, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

6. What does Jesus mean here concerning one’s hands?

As we come into verse three the emphasis is on intentional ignorance. Ignorance? Yes. Jesus tells us that when we “do”something to meet the needs of another person, we are to, in some sense, ignore what we have done. He tells us not to let our left hand “know” what our right hand has done. It is a funny picture, but in simple terms, this means that we are not to make a big deal out of what we have done. We “do” it and move on. It is a warning against calling attention to it, working to get others to see it, know it, and appreciate it. He is telling us not to wait for praise or congratulations.

He will tell us in verse four to do it in “secret.” Others should be ignorant of what we have given or done. Giving is done correctly when God moves us to give, we move into action, and then we move on!

When you help someone else, do not make a big deal out of it. Just do it for the glory of God and for the good of the other person.

Matthew 6:4 (NKJV) records, “That your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

7. Have you ever experienced someone paying it forward? What were your thoughts? How did it feel?

8. What are some good things we can do in secret?

Finally, our Lord tells us what will happen if we choose to give in this way. He says that we will be rewarded. Verse four begins with the phrase “so that” and it means “give like this so that this will happen.” He is reminding you and me of something. Our “Father” “sees” everything – every single thing. He “sees.”­­­­­

“Sees” comes from the Greek verb “Blepo” and means to look at, to watch. He “sees” what is done, when no one else “sees” what is done. He knows what is given when no one else knows what is given. “Your Father” “sees” what is done in “secret.”

“Secret” comes from the Greek word “Kruptos” and means “concealed, hidden.” The promise is that He will (one day) “reward you openly.” “Reward” comes from the Greek word “Apodidomi” and means “to give from.”

This word is a combination of two Greek words. The first means “to give” the second means “from” and so the word “reward” means that our Lord will give to us from His treasures. There are amazing treasures in His storehouses! Just think of what He, who is limitless in His resources and ability, is able to give to you whom He loves. Just think of how He is supremely able to bless you. In 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV), we read, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” You and I cannot even imagine the blessings of His rewards to us. They infinitely surpass any human recognition or congratulations. Jesus says this to assure us, that we do not need to seek human reward for our “Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”

One final point needs to be made here. The tense of the verb “reward” is future. This means that His “reward”  is not here and now, on this Earth. The “reward” is in the future. The “reward”  is coming. The “reward” will be given one day, a great day, the day of His “reward.” Try to imagine for even a moment what it will be like for Him to reward you!

9. What kinds of rewards have you received?

10. What do you think about when you hear of God’s rewards?

Please notice that it will not be an angel or a messenger who rewards you. It is He “Himself” who will “reward” you. Notice also that His reward will not then be in “secret.” He will “reward you openly” a phrase that means “for all to see.” If this does not convince us to choose His reward over the recognition of people, I do not know what could. “His reward is with Him” (Isaiah 40:10, NKJV).

What you have done in secret is seen by Him who sees all. He is your Father and on that day, He will pour out His limitless blessing to bless you.