COMMENTS
The thought of "pure in heart" is not perfection of conduct, nor of word, nor of thought, but perfection of intention as respects all of these. Our desire and effort must be for perfection—in thought, word and deed. The standard before us, to which our hearts, wills, must give assent, is the Divine standard, "Be ye perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). God has set no lower standard than this absolute perfection, but He has provided for us grace, mercy and peace through Christ, if we walk in His footsteps, this purity of heart being one of the essential steps in the narrow way.
Purity of heart means being well-intentioned. This signifies a singleness of purpose to glorify God. It will reduce our conduct to terms of loyalty to God. Such hearts indeed make their possessors joyful, and the possessors of such hearts now see God with the eyes of their understanding, and all the elect will eventually see Him as He really is.
REPRINTS
Psa. 15:2; 19:8; 24:3-5; 51:7; Prov. 21:8; Mal. 3:2, 3; John 15:12; 1 Tim. 1:5; Phil. 4:8; 2 Tim. 2:21, 22; Titus 1:15; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 John 3:3; 1 Cor. 13:12; 1 John 3:2.
