What does "poor in spirit" mean?

[StaySalty]

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

Does anyone understand this verse?

 

[New_Found_Faith]

My bible says:

"Fortunate are those who have the spirit of the poor for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"

Meaning those who have the virtue of humility.

Sean C.

 

[God Child]

is about humble ones i think, they are blessed for the kingdom of heaven is their inheritance.

 

[ShilohCity]

my opinion:

poor means not rich, not having much of anything
the spirit refered to here, i think, would refer to spiritual gifts or what others would see as spiritual greatness.

therefore, to be poor in spirit would be not having much spiritual greatness, or those who most people would think of as 'average' Christians.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Being poor (humble) in spirit is a fundamental characteristic of a Christian. No one will enter Christ's kingdom on the basis of pride--the doorway into the kingdom is very low and must be crawled through. Poor means spiritual poverty. Spiritually man is empty, poor, and helpless.

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10).

 

[Stinker]

On the word 'poor' of (Mt.5:3) Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament says: those 'conscience of their spiritual need' .

 

[constance]

I think it means "those who depend on God" as a poor man would depend on an alms-giver.

Constance