Matthew 6:1

Translations

Modern

“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Traditional

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Literal

“ And beware not to do your righteousness before men in order to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father who is in the heavens.

Latin

Attendite ne justitiam vestram faciatis coram hominibus, ut videamini ab eis: alioquin mercedem non habebitis apud Patrem vestrum qui in cælis est.

Original

Greek

English

“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Notes

Matthew 6:1

This verse begins the teaching in Matthew 6:2–18. Jesus explains that righteousness (living in line with God’s will) should not be done for public recognition. It should be offered as service to God.

Righteous acts are actions that follow God’s way of living. Examples include:
- giving gifts to those in need (6:2–4),
- praying (6:5–15), and
- fasting (6:16–18).
Jesus encourages keeping these actions private to avoid seeking personal praise instead of honoring God (compare 5:16).

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Pure Worship Religious Hypocrisy

Events

Sermon on the Mountc. AD 28

Related verses

Matthew 23:5
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
John 12:43
For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
Matthew 23:28–30
In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Luke 16:15
So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.
Matthew 6:4–6
…so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Galatians 6:12
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ.
John 5:44
How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
Ezekiel 33:31
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
2 John 1:8
Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
Mark 8:15
“Watch out!” He cautioned them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.”
Matthew 6:16
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Matthew 6:1

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