The term “poor” denotes a state of need or deficiency. It is commonly applied to individuals who lack sufficient food, clothing, shelter, and other essential resources as a result of financial hardship. Additionally, it can refer to outcomes or qualities that are considered to lack value or fall short of expectations.
The term “poor” does not inherently imply destitution or extreme poverty. Such a condition is more accurately conveyed by the term penichrós. For example, the widow who contributed two mites is described as destitute (Luke 21:2).
In Luke 4:18, Jesus reads from the book of Isaiah and proclaims that He was anointed to preach the gospel to the poor. Isaiah’s reference is not limited to individuals who are financially impoverished, but extends to those who lack knowledge. According to James 2:5, God has chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs to the kingdom. This selection is not confined to those who are financially deficient, but includes those whom the world perceives as lacking value and as individuals to be exploited.
Galatians 4:9 characterizes the religious practices of this world as poor. The observance of days, months, seasons, and years is described as leading individuals into bondage. Furthermore, Colossians 2:8 describes the elemental principles of the world as cheating people through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human traditions.
Scripture primarily employs the term poor (πτωχός) to refer to individuals who lack basic necessities for biological life. Jesus instructed the rich young man, who sought guidance on obtaining eternal life, to sell all his possessions and give to the poor (Matthew 19:21). This directive was intended to remove the obstacle of wealth that hindered the man from following Jesus, rather than suggesting that wealth is inherently negative or that giving to the poor is a means to attain eternal life.
When Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive oil, Judas Iscariot objected, claiming that the oil should have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor. However, his true motive was personal gain, as he was a thief (John 12:6). Jesus responded by stating that the poor will always be present (John 12:8). This passage indicates that not all resources are to be given to the poor. For example, pearls are not to be cast before swine, nor what is holy given to dogs (Matthew 7:6). Swine persist in their sins, and dogs return to their wrongdoing (2 Peter 2:22).
Because the term poor is not limited to material poverty, it is necessary to consider the context to determine what is lacking. In Matthew 5:3, when Jesus states, “Happy are the poor in spirit because the kingdom of the heavens is concerning them,” the phrase “poor in spirit” specifies the nature of the deficiency. Here, Jesus refers not to financial poverty, but to a lack within the spirit. Since the spirit is the rational center of a person (1 Corinthians 2:11), Jesus is describing individuals, specifically Jews, who lack knowledge. Through Scripture, we can discern that this lack relates to a rational understanding of what the man of lawlessness is doing in Jerusalem during the second half of the Tribulation Period, when Israel is in the wilderness (Revelation 12:6; Mark 13:14).
