Matthew 6:2

Do Good to Please God

1 “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.

2 Therefore, ^awhen 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.

3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret ^awill Himself reward you openly.

The Model Prayer

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the¹ hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

6 But you, when you pray, ^ago into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you¹ openly.

7 And when you pray, ^ado not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. ^bFor they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father ^aknows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

9 In this ^amanner, therefore, pray:
^bOur Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your ^cname.

10 Your kingdom come.
^aYour will be done
On earth ^bas it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our ^adaily bread.

12 And ^aforgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.

13 ^aAnd do not lead us into temptation,
But ^bdeliver us from the evil one.
¹For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

14 ^a“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15 But ^aif you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Fasting to Be Seen Only by God

16 “Moreover, ^awhen you fast, do not be like the¹ hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

17 But you, when you fast, ^aanoint your head and wash your face,

18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you¹ openly.

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

19 ^a“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

20 ^abut lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?

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What Does Matthew 6:2 Mean?

Matthew 6:1-4

A Christian should not let his light shine to be praised by others, but to bring glory to the Father. The Pharisees acted to be seen of men, but true Christians behave to glorify God, caring little what people may think of them. It is by our conduct, not our pomp and circumstance, that others may be brought to honor God. We should live so that people may see from our good works the proper nature of God's way of life. Good works cannot be hidden because they stand in stark contrast to the ways of this wicked world (I Timothy 5:25). These works are required behavior at home and in the outside world.

Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Light

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