Maltby’s Musings
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9 The word “pax” in Latin means peace. In the English language, we get the word “to pacify” or “pacifist” from it. Yet when Christ speaks of those who are “peacemakers” here, he does not mean those who are passive or…
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” – Matthew 5:7 Mercy is the mark of a good man. Such has been said for thousands of years, and such is true. Man’s nature is to seek vengeance, to seek to be the one to deal out death and judgement. Yet our Lord is the…
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 These Beatitudes, these “blessed are those who…” sayings are perhaps the harder part of the Sermon on the Mount to interpret. They seem almost cryptic, like proverbs or saying that take a bit of pondering. Of course, in one sense that is what…
The Roman Empire is perhaps the most famous empire in human history. It was not nearly the most massive (its two million square miles doesn’t even stand up to America’s four million), nor could it boast the greatest wealth, or military prowess, or population. Yet to historians, Rome dominates the stage because she lasted. Over…