When you have God’s approval, don’t do things in front of others just to be seen by them. You won’t get your heavenly Father’s rewards if you do. When you do nice things for people, don’t make a commotion like the hypocritical teachers do, so they receive pats on the back from others. I’m telling you, that’s as good as their reward will get. If you do nice things for other people, keep it so secret that your left hand doesn’t even know what your right hand is doing. Your Father will see what you do and reward you. Additionally, when you pray don’t be like the hypocritical teachers, because they like to pray where they can be seen by others. I’m telling you, that’s their reward. When you pray, go into a room by yourself and shut the door. Pray to your Father in secret. When you pray in secret, your Father will reward you. Also, when you pray, don’t pointlessly say things again and again like pagans. They think saying things repeatedly will make them be heard better. Don’t be like them. God your Father knows what you need before you ask him for it.
This is how you should pray:
Our heavenly Father, your name is holy.
Bring your kingdom. Do what you want wherever you like on heaven and earth.
Give us our bread each day.
Forgive our sins as we forgive people who sin against us.
Don’t lead us into being tempted, but rescue us from evil.
The kingdom, the power and the glory is always yours. Let it be true.
If you forgive others when they wrong you, the heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others when they wrong you, the heavenly Father won’t forgive you for your wrongs.
Whenever you fast, don’t be like actors who pretend to be gloomy so that others know they are fasting. I’m telling you, they have their reward. When you fast, smear olive oil on your head and wash your face, so that you don’t look like you are fasting to be seen by people around you, but secretly to your Father. He will see this and reward you.
Don’t collect treasures on earth where they can be destroyed or stolen. Collect treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed or stolen. Your heart is where your treasure is.
The eye is the torch of your body. If your eyes are clear, the rest of you will be lit. If your eye is evil, the rest of you will be in darkness. So if your light is dark, that make is pretty dark!
No one can serve two masters. They’ll either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and not care about the other. You can’t serve God and money. So don’t be anxious about your life; what you’ll eat or drink or having clothes to wear. Life is about more than food and clothing. Look at birds in the sky. They’re not planting or harvesting or storing food, but your Heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than the birds? Will being anxious add any hours onto your life? And why are you anxious about clothes? Look at flowers in the field; they don’t go working to make their clothes. I’m telling you, not even the glorious King Solomon was dressed nicer than them. So if God clothes the grass which today is growing but tomorrow burned in an oven, won’t he dress you even better, you who have weak faith? So don’t be anxious, asking ‘What will we eat or drink or wear?’ These are things unbelievers worry about. Remember your Heavenly Father knows you need these things. Instead, seek God’s kingdom and his approval, and these things will be given to you. So don’t be anxious about the future. The future will bring new things to worry about. Just worry about today.
Matthew Chapter 6 Summary
Matthew Chapter 6 teaches important lessons on good character, prayer, forgiveness, and trust in God. It starts off by advising against doing good things just to get a pat on the back, instead suggesting to do good secretly and earn rewards from God. It introduces the ‘Lord’s Prayer’, an textbook way to communicate with God, focusing on trusting in Him for providing for our lives and the need for forgiveness. The passage warns against gathering earthly treasures, which can break or get stolen. The real treasure is in heaven, where is can’t get broken or stolen. Our heart is a reflection of where our treasure lies. The chapter stresses the impossibility of serving two masters, like God and money. It discourages being fearful about needs such as food or clothing. By observing how God provides for birds and flowers, it reassures us of His care. We should prioritise seeking God’s kingdom and His approval, as God is aware of our needs and will provide what we need. The chapter ends by recommending we focus on the present day, rather than future worries.
Matthew Chapter 6 Bible Study Questions and Answers
- How does Matthew 6 instruct us to carry out good works, and why?
Answer: Matthew 6 teaches us to carry out good works in secret to not attract attention or praise from others, but only for God’s recognition of our actions. - What does the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ teach about our relationship with God?
Answer: The ‘Lord’s Prayer’ focuses on our dependence on God for daily needs, seeking forgiveness of our sins as we forgive others, and asks for help overcoming temptation and evil. - What does Matthew 6 say about material possessions and wealth?
Answer: The chapter warns against focusing on earthly treasures, which are temporary and prone to loss. Instead, it encourages storing up treasures in heaven by living a good life. - What advice does this chapter give about worrying?
Answer: It advises against being fearful over material needs because God provides, and suggests we prioritise looking forward to God’s kingdom and His good things. - How does Matthew 6 instruct us to handle our daily concerns and future worries?
Answer: It instructs us to focus on the present day’s challenges rather than worrying about the future, trusting that God is in control and will provide.
Matthew Chapter 6 Explained
Matthew Chapter 6, part of the Sermon on the Mount, presents teachings on good character, prayer, forgiveness, materialism, and anxiety. The chapter begins with a discussion on actions. Unlike the teachers who performed good works for public attention, Jesus instructs his followers to do good works in secret. The motive should be a genuine desire to help, not public recognition. This is true good works.
Next, the chapter introduces the ‘Lord’s Prayer’. This is a model for how we should communicate with God, focusing on His power, our dependence on Him for provisions, and the importance of forgiveness. It’s a call to establish a personal, honest, and humble relationship with God.
The next section is a caution against worldly goods. Treasures on earth are easily lost. Real treasure lies in heaven, gained by leading a godly, good life. These are secure and last forever. This teaching urges us to double check our value system and priorities.
Jesus further teaches about the impossibility of serving two masters. Love for earthly things and dedication to God are clashing. This doesn’t reject all of earthly things itself, but the obsession with it at the expense of spiritual growth.
The chapter finishes in teachings on fear, anxiety and trust in God. It reminds us of God’s care for nature and assures us that He will meet our needs. Instead of being anxious over food or clothes (or any other earthly thing), Jesus advises us to seek God’s kingdom and His goodness. This replaces anxiety with trust, and can bring us peace and contentment.
Matthew 6 tells of the wisdom of prioritising the spiritual over the material, choosing God over wealth, replacing anxiety with trust in God, and the significance of prayer and forgiveness. It’s a good outline for Christian living, providing practical guidance on having a personal relationship with God and navigating life’s challenges.
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Continue exploring Matthew 6
If you’d like to read Matthew 6 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 6 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 6 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 6 in the Contemporary English Version.
If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
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For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version
If you’d like to explore Matthew in more depth, here are some commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)
Not My Life 