BURKITT : | Lu 6:1-5 | Lu 6:6-11 | Lu 6:12 | Lu 6:13-16 | Lu 6:17-19 | Lu 6:20 | Lu 6:21 | Lu 6:22-23 | Lu 6:24-25 | Lu 6:26 | Lu 6:27-29 | Lu 6:30 | Lu 6:31 | Lu 6:32-36 | Lu 6:37 | Lu 6:38 | Lu 6:39 | Lu 6:40 | Lu 6:41-42 | Lu 6:43-45 | Lu 6:46-49 | KJV
Reference
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. (Luke 6:24-25 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, 1. That though St. Luke omits divers of the beatitudes mentioned by St. Matthew, chap. 5, yet he recites the woes which St. Matthew omitted. If we will understand our Saviour’s doctrine fully, we must consult all the evangelists thoroughly.
Observe, 2. These woes are not to be understood absolutely, but restrainedly: the woes do not belong to men because they are rich, because they are full, because they do laugh; but because they place their happiness in these things; take up with them for their portions, and rejoice in them as their chief good, valuing themselves by what they have in hand, not by what they have in hope.
He that is rich and righteous, he that is great and gracious, he that has his hands full of this world, and his heart empty of pride and vain confidence; he that laughs when God smiles, he that expresses himself joyfully when God expresses himself graciously, such a man is rich in grace, who is thus gracious in the midst of riches. For to be rich and holy, argues much riches of holiness.