What Does Matthew 6:1 Mean in the King James?
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The moment mercy is staged for human eyes, their gaze is the reward being sought.
THE MEANING
Your giving can carry mercy and still be arranged as a display for other people’s gaze. When being watched is its purpose, the verse says you have no reward from your Father in heaven. The distinction is the intention behind the act, not simply whether someone happens to see it.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that a publicly visible good deed automatically carries the Father’s approval is undone here: the pursuit of human notice can forfeit the Father’s reward.
THE ROOT
θεαθῆναι
theathēnai
GROWS FROM
θεάομαι
theaomai
to look at, behold, or observe
“to be seen” in this verse is theathēnai. The verb presents the act as something offered up to be watched, not merely something that happens to be visible. English “seen” can hide the spectator-and-display quality that makes the verse’s warning about intention so precise.
ALSO GROWS
theatēs: spectator; one who watches
θεατής
The spectator belongs to the same word family, bringing the watching audience into view.
theatron: a place for viewing; a theater
θέατρον
Theater carries the same idea of something set before viewers, illuminating the verse’s image of giving staged for an audience.
ἐλεημοσύνην
eleēmosynēn
GROWS FROM
ἔλεος
eleos
mercy; compassion
Alms belong to the Greek word family of mercy and compassion. The gift is mercy taking material form, so the verse sets the nature of the act beside the gaze for which it is performed.
ALSO GROWS
eleeō: to show mercy; have compassion
ἐλεέω
This verb shares the mercy-family seed, linking almsgiving with mercy expressed through action.
eleēmōn: merciful; compassionate
ἐλεήμων
This word describes a merciful person, connecting the gift to the quality of compassion beneath it.
THE PATTERN
Human eyes register outward display, while the LORD’s sight reaches the heart and what is hidden.
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.THE THREAD
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.Both verses use the same Greek word, ἐλεημοσύνην (eleēmosynēn), meaning almsgiving as an act of mercy. This verse reveals the other setting for that gift: what is kept from public display is still seen by the Father, whose reward is tied to that unseen giving.
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