“Makarios” (μακάριος) means “happy”. It is an emotional state contingent on favorable external circumstances.
In most English translations, the word “blessed” is used to translate both “makarios” and “eulogiā”. However, in both languages, these two words have different meanings. In English, “blessed” can refer to receiving Divine favor, being fortunate, or being consecrated. Thus, it does not properly convey “happy.” “Eulogiā” comes directly from Greek and retains the meaning of “speaking well of” or “to eulogize.”
When Jesus addressed the believing Jews about the Kingdom of the Heavens and the coming tribulation period, He outlined in the Sermon on the Mount several conditions they would face during their time in the wilderness. Yet, they could remain happy because the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. Thus, the circumstances will turn in their favor.
Happy are the poor in spirit because the kingdom of the heavens is concerning them—Matthew 5:3.
These individuals are happy because they lack (are poor) in spirit. This phrase and its context refer to their lack of understanding of what the man of lawlessness is doing in Jerusalem as he desecrates the Temple of God (Daniel 9:27).
Within the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encourages those who mourn, have an objective mind, hunger and thirst after righteousness, have a pure heart, are peacemakers, and are persecuted and reviled for righteousness (Matthew 5:4-12). Even though they will go through troubles because of Israel’s exile and God’s judgment on the nation, they can still be happy because the outcome will favor those who obey God.
When the Messiah returns, He will rescue the Jews in the wilderness and establish His kingdom. In His kingdom, the nation of Israel will serve as priests to the Gentile nations and live in peace within the promised land because righteousness rules in Christ’s Kingdom (Matthew 13:41).
When it comes to the Christians and happiness, we are not to take the promises to Israel and allegorize them to apply to the Church. The Church has its own distinct promises that bring happiness.
Our happy hope is the appearance of our great God even Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). This happy hope is the rapture—the day when Christ returns to take His Church home (1 Thessalonians 4:16). On that day we will be like Him (1 John 3:2), and will forever be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Do we have faith? Remember, faith is based on accomplished deeds God has done, through which we have promises—not a made-up belief based on our desires or wishes (Hebrews 11:1). How we serve God matters. Some believe what they eat and drink matters, while others do not. If a Christian truly takes God at His Word, then happy is the one who does not judge himself in what he approves (Romans 14:22), for he will eat and drink with a good conscience.
Although Thomas saw Christ after His resurrection and then believed, those who do not see Christ and believe will be even happier (John 20:29).
Because of Christ’s resurrection, we are proven righteous before God in Christ, and our lawless works have been sent away—forgiven—bringing happiness. Happy is the one whose lawlessness is forgiven and to whom the Lord does not impute his sin (Romans 4:7-8).
We can even find happiness when facing temptations—solicitations to do something that lacks in character—by overcoming them. This victory does not come through self-effort but by taking God at His Word and using the defenses He has provided for us in Christ against our enemies (James 1:12).
Even when we suffer for doing what is right, and others spread lies about us because we refuse to associate with their wrong actions, we can be happy, because being reproached for Christ’s sake is an aspect of grace (1 Peter 3:14; 4:14).
Those who stop living by the Royal Law—Mosaic Law—and instead live by the law of Liberty: the law of the Spirit that sets us free, are happy (Romans 8:2). They are doers of the Word, not merely those who only listen (James 1:25).
God is a happy God (1 Timothy 1:11). He has given to us all things pertaining to life and godliness so that we, too, can be happy. This happiness does not come from fulfilling fleshly desires but from how we use what God has given us through salvation. By living out the life we now have in Christ, we will be happy in any situation we face.
