Beatitudes Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

If you grew up in a Christian church, you have probably heard of the beatitudes. You may even remember some of their specific tenets. They are one of the more famous sermons that Jesus ever gave in the Bible.

So, what does this word actually mean? Was the word around before Jesus’ great sermon? Is there a definition for this word beyond the principles Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount? Those are questions this article is going to answer.

Today’s word of the day is beatitudes. By the end of this short guide, you’ll have a solid understanding of the word beatitudes, its definitions, its etymology, and how to use it. 

Let’s get started. 

What Is the Meaning of the Word Beatitudes?

The word beatitudes has a distinctly religious connotation to it. This word is hardly used outside of a religious context or discussion. Here are the definitions of the word beatitudes. 

• A supreme blessing or supreme blessedness
• A group of blessings that Jesus gave in the famous Sermon on the Mount

So, the word itself is essentially another term for blessing — but with a little more intensity. A beatitude is a chief blessing that is more important than other normal blessings. The meaning of beatitudes is relatively simple in this context, but hardly anyone uses this definition in English anymore. 

What Are the Beatitudes in the Bible?

The far more common definition used is referring to the teachings of Jesus found in the Bible. Specifically, the Beatitudes are found in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. They are also found in the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6. The Beatitudes are incredibly important in the Christian community.

These blessings that Jesus gives are famous for being incredibly counter-cultural, especially given the historical context. Jesus blesses people who did not normally receive blessings in that day. Because of this, the Beatitudes have become well-known phrases, even outside of religious circles. 

Here is what the Sermon on the Mount passage found in the Bible in the Gospel of Matthew says, where Jesus delivers the Beatitudes.

The Beatitudes From Matthew 5 (ESV)

In the famous sermon on the mount, Jesus says several radical teachings that have changed history forever. 

For example, Jesus blesses the poor, the people who are mourning, the meek people, and the peacemakers in this passage. These were statements that would offend and shock his audience — and provide hope and comfort to many.

In addition, Jesus emphasized the importance of seeking righteousnes and following God rather than pursuing worldly success or material gain. This was an inspiring and hopeful message for people who may not have previously believed that there was room for them in God’s kingdom. 

The meaning of the Beatitudes is that people who humble themselves and seek God with a pure heart and people who are kind, humble, and peaceable will be honored in the kingdom of God. The eight Beatitudes encourage self-control, discourage self-righteousness, and say that God’s love will fall on people who were previously thought to not have the blessing of God. 

Where Did the Word Beatitudes Come From?

To help us better understand the word beatitudes and why it is significant, let’s look at the history of how it came to be, or its etymology.

The history of the word begins with the Latin beatus, which simply means “blessed.” The word would eventually gain a new form in Latin with more potent meaning. The Latin beatitudo means “supreme happiness or supreme blessing.”

As the sermon from Jesus Christ became popular, and the Scriptures were formally put together, given verse numbers, and given section titles throughout church history, this section of the sermon was given its title. 

The word eventually made its way into Old French in the form of the word beatitude. Finally, it broke into late Middle English in the form we still know today.

Throughout history, this word has been prominent, but since Jesus’ sermon got its title, this word exploded in popularity. Since then, it has been used commonly to refer to these specific Bible verses in the New Testament about the nature of God’s kingdom and who is important to God. 

What Are Some Examples of the Word Beatitudes in a Sentence?

Seeing a word in context can help bring more clarity to its definition and how you can use it in your own life. Here are some example sentences that use the word beatitudes.

• This past week, my pastor gave a sermon on the Beatitudes, and it really reminded me that God is looking out for me, even when I’m broken and hurting.
  
• As you can see in the Beatitudes, God honors the humble in his kingdom.
• The word of God says in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God,” so I’m taking it upon myself to be a person of peace.
• I love the Sermon on the Mount, especially the section about the Beatitudes. 
• In a time in history when people thought that the rich and wealthy had been blessed by God, Jesus turns that idea on its head with the Beatitudes.
• When I’m really going through it and need to be reminded that God is with me, I go read the Beatitudes, and then I read Psalm 23. 

A Final Word

Now you know everything you need to know about the word beatitudes, including what it refers to in the Bible, how it’s used outside of Scripture, and what wisdom it has to offer the modern world. You can use this word in your writing to refer to Jesus’ sermon on the mount.

Sources:

the Beatitudes | Cambridge English Dictionary

Matthew 5 | ESV.org

What does the word Beatitude mean? | Amblecote Christian Centre