Matthew 6:4 kjv
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:4 nkjv
that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Matthew 6:4 niv
so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:4 esv
so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:4 nlt
Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Matthew 6 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 6:1 | "Be careful not to practice your righteousness... otherwise you have no reward from your Father..." | General principle of reward based on motive |
| Mt 6:6 | "when you pray, go into your room and shut the door... your Father who sees in secret will reward you." | Applies secret action/reward to prayer |
| Mt 6:18 | "when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face... your Father who sees in secret will reward you." | Applies secret action/reward to fasting |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." | God's knowledge of the heart's motives |
| Ps 139:1-4 | "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! ...you discern my thoughts from afar." | God's all-knowing presence |
| Prov 16:2 | "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits." | God judges inner thoughts and motivations |
| Jer 17:10 | "I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." | God is the ultimate judge and rewarder |
| Lk 12:2-3 | "Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known...what you have whispered in private rooms will be proclaimed." | Secret things eventually known, by God |
| Heb 4:13 | "No creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." | God's absolute perception of all things |
| Rom 2:16 | "on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus." | God judges hidden things through Christ |
| Col 3:23-24 | "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men... you will receive the inheritance as your reward." | Motivation: for God, not human approval |
| 1 Cor 3:8 | "Each will receive his own reward according to his labor." | Individual reward for faithful work |
| Lk 14:12-14 | "When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind...you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just." | Specific application of secret, un-repayable giving to guests |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | "God loves a cheerful giver." | Emphasizes the heart behind the giving |
| Acts 20:35 | "It is more blessed to give than to receive." | The blessing inherent in giving |
| Jas 1:27 | "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction..." | Practical and genuine religion includes charity |
| Isa 58:6-7 | "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness... to share your bread with the hungry..." | True religious observance involves practical charity |
| Prov 19:17 | "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." | Lending to the Lord brings divine repayment |
| Mt 25:34-40 | "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you... for I was hungry and you gave me food..." | Acts of mercy towards "the least of these" are seen as done to Christ Himself, leading to reward. |
| Phil 4:18-19 | "I have received full payment... your fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours..." | God's provision for those who give to His work |
| Heb 11:6 | "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek him." | God as a rewarder, connected to faith |
| Rev 22:12 | "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done." | Eschatological culmination of divine reward |
Matthew 6 verses
Matthew 6 4 Meaning
Matthew 6:4 instructs believers to perform acts of charity (giving alms) in a manner that seeks God's approval alone, not human praise or recognition. It emphasizes that such secret devotion, driven by a pure motive of pleasing the heavenly Father, will be observed and divinely recompensed by Him who intimately perceives what is hidden from human eyes. The focus is on the heart's posture in spiritual disciplines, contrasting with ostentatious displays for outward show.
Matthew 6 4 Context
Matthew 6:4 is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7), specifically within a section (6:1-18) where He addresses the practice of religious disciplines: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. This segment directly critiques the hypocritical religious practices of some contemporary Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees, who performed their righteous acts openly to gain human applause. Jesus presents an alternative, counter-cultural approach, urging His followers to prioritize an authentic, internal relationship with God over external validation. He consistently contrasts human praise with divine reward, framing these acts as matters of sincere devotion to "your Father" who sees beyond appearances.
Matthew 6 4 Word analysis
- οπως (hopōs): "so that," "in order that." A strong conjunction indicating purpose. The following action (giving in secret) is the intended outcome or manner of their righteousness.
- ελεημοσυνη (eleēmosynē): "alms," "charitable deeds," "deeds of mercy." This is more encompassing than simply "giving." It refers to the acts of compassionate giving to the poor or needy. In Jewish thought, tzedakah (righteousness/justice) often included such acts of charity, which were considered foundational to a righteous life. Jesus connects the righteous practice directly to inner motive.
- εν τω κρυπτω (en tō kryptō): "in secret," "in the hidden place." Kryptō refers to something concealed or hidden. The preposition en emphasizes the sphere or manner of the action. It implies doing something discreetly, not drawing attention to oneself. The true meaning is not absolute physical secrecy (which can be impossible or even counterproductive, as Jesus later says "let your light shine," Mt 5:16), but secrecy of motive—meaning one's primary audience and desired reward are God, not humans.
- και ο Πατηρ σου ο βλεπων (kai ho Patēr sou ho blepōn): "and your Father who sees."
- Πατηρ (Patēr): "Father." Emphasizes an intimate, relational, and caring bond between God and the believer. It signifies God's loving and knowing relationship, not that of a distant observer.
- βλεπων (blepōn): "seeing," a present participle, indicating a continuous and ongoing act of seeing. God's observation is constant and comprehensive; He perceives everything, especially the hidden motives of the heart.
- αποδωσει (apodōsei): "will reward," "will pay back," "will give back." This future tense verb (from apodidōmi) implies a guaranteed, certain outcome. The reward is not earned like a wage, but it is God's gracious and just response to genuine faith and obedient action. It is God's reciprocity flowing from His character. It affirms divine justice and faithfulness.
Note on Textual Variant: Some later manuscripts add "εν τω φανερῳ (en tō phanerō)," meaning "publicly" or "openly," at the end of the verse ("...will reward you publicly"). However, this phrase is largely absent from the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts and is considered an assimilation from earlier verses in the passage (Mt 6:6, 6:18, though also disputed there). The omission of "publicly" in modern translations better reflects the emphasis on secret giving and internal reward.
Matthew 6 4 Bonus section
- Theological Implication of "Reward": The concept of reward in this context does not diminish grace or promote works-righteousness. Instead, it highlights that faithful obedience, especially when flowing from a pure heart hidden from public acclaim, is valued by God and will receive His gracious favor. This "reward" can manifest in various forms, including deeper communion with God, spiritual blessing, divine favor, or ultimate recognition in eternity.
- Heart of Discipleship: This verse is central to Jesus' teaching on true discipleship, which is characterized by authenticity and internal spiritual integrity rather than outward religious performance. It sets a paradigm for all religious practices – prayer, fasting, giving – to be oriented vertically toward God rather than horizontally toward human validation.
- Contrast to Hypocrisy: Jesus’ strong emphasis here serves as a direct antidote to the "hypocrisy" (from hypokrites, meaning "actor" or "stage player") He denounces in Matthew 6:2. The actors performed for an audience; Jesus calls His followers to perform for God alone.
Matthew 6 4 Commentary
Matthew 6:4 concisely conveys a foundational principle of New Testament ethics: the primary audience for acts of righteousness is God Himself, not human onlookers. When practicing charity, the believer is called to cultivate a heart that seeks God's approval above all. The phrase "in secret" directs attention not just to physical discretion, but crucially, to the inward motivation and direction of one's devotion. God, referred to intimately as "your Father," possesses perfect knowledge; He "sees" (constantly perceives) not only the external action but also the unseen intention behind it. Therefore, genuine piety is marked by humility and sincerity. The promise that God "will reward" underscores His faithfulness and just character. This reward is a divine recognition and blessing that stems from relationship with God, fundamentally distinct from any transient human praise or self-glorification. It is an affirmation of trust in God's perfect knowledge and justice.