Explanation of the Sixth Beatitude
The text of this commandment: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
In Christian understanding, the pure in heart are those people who not only avoid evil deeds, but also make their soul pure, that is, they do not allow evil thoughts and desires to settle in it. For the Lord, it is not so important how we appear outwardly. What matters most is that people’s hearts be pure. Because from a pure heart come pure thoughts and actions. Therefore, King David in his prayer asked God: “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10). “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer!” (Psalm 19:14).
Having indicated that people with a pure heart will be blessed (that is, happy, joyful), the Lord in another place explained what impurity of heart is. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mark 7:21–23).
“To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled” (Titus 1:15).
Thus, in order to make the heart pure, one must renounce sins and not repeat them, that is, become sinless. In Christ’s teaching, the path and means are indicated for accomplishing this task. That is, actions are given by which a person will achieve purification of the heart. This includes renunciation of evil deeds, doing good, abstinence from sin, repentance and prayer, manifestation of humility and love toward God and neighbor, struggle against pride and egoism, showing virtue and mercy, constant calling upon God for help. “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:21–22).
In this struggle for purity of heart, both reason and free will are required so as not to deviate from this path. The pure in heart experience peace of soul, joy, and blessedness. Christ says that for their purity of heart these people will receive a great reward — they will see God, since purity of heart is an indispensable condition for union with God, for receiving the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus Christ proclaimed the sixth Beatitude among the Jews, who strictly observed ceremonial purity, that is, among a people gripped by fear of external defilement. The Jews strove for ceremonial purity, but did not care about the purity of their hearts, that is, spiritual purity. In a person in whose heart Christ dwells, spiritual purity appears: nobility of thoughts, desire to do good, wisdom.
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
Therefore, people who possess purity of heart not only do not commit carnal acts, but even in the most secret intentions of the soul they are free from sinful thoughts, pride, and self-love. They are humble, selfless, and pure in soul like children, because their soul is permeated with selfless love for God. The pure in heart become different people because they come to know God. People who have purified their hearts enter into new relations with God as with their Savior. The pure in heart perceive God as their Father who desires to embrace the repentant son. Having seen the beauty and purity of God’s perfections, they strive to reflect the Image of God in themselves and to look upon the world with eyes of the soul that have been cleansed. “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light” (Matthew 6:22).
Those who have purified the vision of their soul, the pure in heart, are able to understand what ordinary people do not notice. The pure in heart marvel at the works of the Lord’s hands manifested in the beauty of nature, in the wise arrangement of life and the universe. The pure in heart see the great truths hidden in Holy Scripture. To them are revealed the knowledge of great mysteries of being and nature, philosophical truths. Already here on earth the pure in heart live in the presence of God, feeling His care and help upon themselves. As the Lord showed His glory to Moses, so the pure in heart are worthy to behold God, and their hearts are filled with gratitude and blessedness.
Saint Gregory of Nyssa wrote about purity of heart: “To the man who has cleansed the vision of his soul is offered the joyful vision of God. Thus the Word (that is, the Lord Jesus Christ) teaches us when He says that ‘the kingdom of God is within you’ (Luke 17:21). This teaches us that the man who has purified his soul from every passionate impulse will reflect in his inner beauty the likeness of the Divine Image. Wash away with a good life the dirt that clings to your heart, and then the God-like beauty will shine forth in you” (Gregory of Nyssa, “On the Beatitudes,” Oration 6).