Mat 5:11-12 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 11. When men shall revile you, and persecute ] The persecution mentioned in the preceding verse comprehends all outward acts of violence -all that the hand can do. This comprehends all calumny, slander , &c., all that the tongue can effect. But as διωκειν, which we render to persecute , is a forensic term, and signifies legal persecutions and public accusations, which, though totally unsubstantiated, were the means of destroying multitudes of the primitive Christians, our Lord probably refers to such. No Protestant can think, without horror, of the great numbers burnt alive in this country, on such accusations, under the popish reign of her who is emphatically called Bloody Queen Mary .

‏ Matthew 5:11-12

Verse 11. When men shall revile you, and persecute] The persecution mentioned in the preceding verse comprehends all outward acts of violence-all that the hand can do. This comprehends all calumny, slander, &c., all that the tongue can effect. But as διωκειν, which we render to persecute, is a forensic term, and signifies legal persecutions and public accusations, which, though totally unsubstantiated, were the means of destroying multitudes of the primitive Christians, our Lord probably refers to such. No Protestant can think, without horror, of the great numbers burnt alive in this country, on such accusations, under the popish reign of her who is emphatically called Bloody Queen Mary.

Verse 12. Rejoice] In the testimony of a good conscience; for, without this, suffering has nothing but misery in it.

Be exceeding glad] αγαλλιασθε, leap for joy. There are several cases on record, where this was literally done by the martyrs, in Queen Mary's days.

Great is your reward in heaven] In the Talmudical tract Pirkey Aboth, are these words: "Rabbi Tarpon said, The day is short: the work is great: the labourers are slow: the REWARD IS GREAT: and the father of the family is urgent."

The followers of Christ are encouraged to suffer joyfully on two considerations. 1. They are thereby conformed to the prophets who went before. 2. Their reward in heaven is a great one. God gives the grace to suffer, and then crowns that grace with glory; hence it is plain, the reward is not of debt, but of grace: Ro 6:23.