It's amazing the differing interpretations that can result when there is a mistranslation in play. I know this full well from my time studying languages. I can't count how many times I learned a word in the classroom, memorized it, thought I knew it, and then used it or heard it in the "real world" and realized that it had a totally different connotation or definition from what I had thought.
And then, of course, there are words for which a translation simply doesn't exist, like the Indonesian word jayus, which is roughly translated as "as joke so poorly told and so unfunny that one cannot help but laugh," or the Scottish word tartle, which more or less means "the act of hesitating while you're introducing someone because you've forgotten their name." Words like that throw a whole new level of confusion into the mix.
The Bible is like that, too. We read the Bible so often in our native tongue, that sometimes it is hard to remember that it wasn't written in that language (unless, of course, you're reading it in Greek or Hebrew). There are so many nuances, so many hidden meanings that are lost in translation. The Beatitudes, which means "the blessings," in Matthew 5 are a good example of that.
I was always taught that the Beatitudes were a prescriptive list, something that should be aspired to in order to be blessed. But the Beatitudes are descriptive, not prescriptive. "Poor in spirit," which many people take to mean humble, is better translated as worthless or spiritually bankrupt. Surely God is not telling us that we should strive for spiritual bankruptcy in order to receive His kingdom. It's equally unlikely that a loving God would not actually want us to mourn, even if we do know that we will be comforted. Even the rest of the Beatitudes, while not necessarily bad, are not attributes greatly prized by the rest of the world - things like meekness, mercy, and peacemaking are often considered weak, characteristic of doormats, of people who are easy to take advantage of.
The Beatitudes are not telling us what we should do to become blessed by God. They are reminding us that we are blessed by God. No matter what we have done in our past, despite our spiritual bankruptcy, even if we are mourning, regardless of our pain or frustrations - despite it all, we are still blessed, for God is good and has chosen to bless us, even when we don't deserve it.
If Jesus were speaking to us today, perhaps His Beatitudes would sound something like this (I borrowed this from my pastor; it's too good to not share!) :
He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
And then, of course, there are words for which a translation simply doesn't exist, like the Indonesian word jayus, which is roughly translated as "as joke so poorly told and so unfunny that one cannot help but laugh," or the Scottish word tartle, which more or less means "the act of hesitating while you're introducing someone because you've forgotten their name." Words like that throw a whole new level of confusion into the mix.
The Bible is like that, too. We read the Bible so often in our native tongue, that sometimes it is hard to remember that it wasn't written in that language (unless, of course, you're reading it in Greek or Hebrew). There are so many nuances, so many hidden meanings that are lost in translation. The Beatitudes, which means "the blessings," in Matthew 5 are a good example of that.
I was always taught that the Beatitudes were a prescriptive list, something that should be aspired to in order to be blessed. But the Beatitudes are descriptive, not prescriptive. "Poor in spirit," which many people take to mean humble, is better translated as worthless or spiritually bankrupt. Surely God is not telling us that we should strive for spiritual bankruptcy in order to receive His kingdom. It's equally unlikely that a loving God would not actually want us to mourn, even if we do know that we will be comforted. Even the rest of the Beatitudes, while not necessarily bad, are not attributes greatly prized by the rest of the world - things like meekness, mercy, and peacemaking are often considered weak, characteristic of doormats, of people who are easy to take advantage of.
The Beatitudes are not telling us what we should do to become blessed by God. They are reminding us that we are blessed by God. No matter what we have done in our past, despite our spiritual bankruptcy, even if we are mourning, regardless of our pain or frustrations - despite it all, we are still blessed, for God is good and has chosen to bless us, even when we don't deserve it.
If Jesus were speaking to us today, perhaps His Beatitudes would sound something like this (I borrowed this from my pastor; it's too good to not share!) :
Blessed are the unemployed, those who feel without purpose,
for you are invited to participate in the greatest redemptive story ever told.
Blessed are the addicted, who have struggled with sin and are caught in a web of flesh and lies,
for in this place prisoners are set free.
Blessed are the skeptics, the doubters, the wanderers,
for your questions have answers and you can be satisfied.
Blessed are the lonely. You're invited to join a family
that has more brothers and more sisters than stars in the sky.
Blessed are those ashamed that someone might see your true face,
for now your true face reflects the righteousness of Christ. Hide no longer.
Blessed are the homeless, blessed are the CEOs,
blessed are those struggling to make rent next month,
blessed are those tempted to put their trust in a huge bank account,
for though your current state will fade away, you serve a God of abundance,
and He has more than you will ever need.
Blessed are those who made a bad decision last night.
Rejoice, for today is the day the Lord has made, and His mercies are new every day.
Blessed are the sexually broken, for in this kingdom you can be made whole.
Blessed are those seen only as objects to be used, to be abused, to be discarded;
by the grace of God you have a worth and a value
that goes deeper than anything you could have imagined.
Blessed are the insecure. Security is yours - eternal security that can never be shaken.
Blessed are the unattractive in the world's eyes, for you are beautiful.
Blessed are the attractive in the world's eyes.
You don't have to worry about growing old and losing your looks,
for you have a value that can never fade.
Blessed are you, sons and daughters, despite your sin, despite your rebellion, despite your fear, despite your insecurity, despite your disobedience. All are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven has come near to you.
Matthew 5:1-12
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
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