What could anyone possibly desire after such a good as this since he already has seen everything possible? In scriptural usage, seeing means the same as possessing. This promise is so great that it completely surpasses the highest rung of blessedness. As we take a firm hold on the Word that takes us by the hand he says, Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God (Matt 5:8). If the hand of the Word comes to us and supports us despite the whirl of our imagination, we shall be freed from fear. If so, what hope is there for human beings? Still the Lord supports our wavering hope even as he did in the case of Peter, who was in danger of drowning, by setting him safely on the solid surface of the water (cf. Nevertheless, the inspired prophets and apostles are agreed that God cannot be seen. Do you not perceive how dizzy the soul becomes when drawn to the depths contemplated in these words? If God is life, he who sees him cannot fail to see life itself. On the other hand, John, Paul, and Moses, those pillars of the faith, assert that this is impossible. In the same way, Moses in his own teaching on the subject, insisted that it was in no way possible for the human mind to come close to God, for he says that all power of apprehending God is beyond us, when he says, it is not possible for anyone to see God and live (Exod 33:20). This is the slippery sheer rock that provides no foothold for our thoughts. The sublime mind of Paul confirms this verdict when he says, Whom no man has seen, nor can see (1 Tim 6:16). But No man has seen God at any time (John 1:18), as the great John declares. The vision of God lies before those whose heart has been made pure.
Join Eerdmans Commentary Club and you’ll receive offers for up to 40% off Eerdmans commentaries and other special promotions on our commentaries.īlessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God. It features the reflections of Gregory of Nyssa and Augustine on Matthew 5:8.
The following is an excerpt from Matthew: Interpreted by Early Christian Commentators, part of The Church’s Bible commentary series. Williams is professor of religion in patristics and historical theology at Baylor University and the author of Retrieving the Tradition and Renewing Evangelicalism.
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