Beatitudes discussion, part 8: Blessed are they which are persecuted...

[Agaliha]

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

A few other translations:

BBE (http://basicenglishbible.com/matthew/5.htm)
Happy are those who are attacked on account of righteousness: for the kingdom of heaven will be theirs.

DRB (http://drb.scripturetext.com/matthew/5.htm)
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

WEY (http://weymouthbible.com/matthew/5.htm)
Blessed are those who have borne persecution in the cause of Righteousness, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens.

What are your thoughts, comments and feelings on this passage?

[Agaliha]

I wasn't exactly sure how to view this one, but I think I have a better understanding of it after reading this:



In the last two Commandments of Blessedness it is said that everyone who lives according to righteousness will be persecuted. By "righteousness", one must understand life according to God's commandments. In other words, blessed are they who are persecuted for the faith and for piety; for their good deeds, performed in the name of Christ; for constancy and steadfastness in the faith. Such people will be rewarded in eternal life with the blessedness of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Persecution for righteousness takes various forms. This can be spiritual estrangement, rejection or reproval, or opposition to the God-pleasing activity of those living according to righteousness, calumny, constraints caused by those in authority, exile, torture, and finally, death.

http://www.stjohndc.org/Russian/beatitudes/e_Beatit_08_9.htm