Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst, etc.] Not after the riches, honours, and pleasures of this world, but after righteousness; by which is meant, not justice and equity, as persons oppressed and injured; nor a moral, legal righteousness, which the generality of the Jewish nation were eagerly pursuing; but the justifying righteousness of Christ, which is imputed by God the Father, and received by faith. To “hunger and thirst” after this, supposes a want of righteousness, which is the case of all men; a sense of want of it, which is only perceived by persons spiritually enlightened; a discovery of the righteousness of Christ to them, which is made in the Gospel, and by the Spirit of…”

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled--"shall be saturated." "From this verse," says THOLUCK, "the reference to the Old Testament background ceases." Surprising! On the contrary, none of these beatitudes is more manifestly dug out of the rich mine of the Old Testament. Indeed, how could any one who found in the Old Testament "the poor in spirit," and "the mourners in Zion," doubt that he would also find those same characters also craving that righteousness which they feel and mourn their want of? But what is the precise meaning of "righteousness" here? Lutheran expositors, and some of our own, seem to have a hankering after that more…”

“Blessed are they which do hunger ... - Hunger and thirst, here, are expressive of strong desire. Nothing would better express the strong desire which we ought to feel to obtain righteousness than hunger and thirst. No needs are so keen, none so imperiously demand supply, as these. They occur daily, and when long continued, as in case of those shipwrecked, and doomed to wander months or years over burning sands, with scarcely any drink or food, nothing is more distressing. An ardent desire for anything is often represented in the Scriptures by hunger and thirst, Psalms 42:1-2; Psalms 63:1-2. A desire for the blessings of pardon and peace; a deep sense of sin, and want, and wretchedness, is…”

“They that hunger and thirst after righteousness - After the holiness here described. They shall be satisfied with it. Matthew 5:7”

“5:6 those who hunger and thirst for justice (or for righteousness): This refers either to the follower of Jesus whose driving purpose in life is to obey the Lord (cp. 3:15; 5:10, 20) or to the disciple’s desire to see justice for all people (Pss 11:7; 85:10-12; Isa 11:1-4; Jer 23:5-6; 33:16). One with such a longing often prays, “May your will be done on earth” (Matt 6:10). • Christ has brought justice and righteousness (Rom 3:21-22; 5:1); the disciples will be satisfied with it (cp. Pss 42:1-2; 63:1-2).”

“are: Psa 42:1, Psa 42:2, Psa 63:1, Psa 63:2, Psa 84:2, Psa 107:9; Amo 8:11-13; Luk 1:53, Luk 6:21, Luk 6:25; Joh 6:27 for: Psa 4:6, Psa 4:7, Psa 17:15, Psa 63:5, Psa 65:4, Psa 145:19; Sol 5:1; Isa 25:6, Isa 41:17, Isa 44:3; Isa 49:9, Isa 49:10, Isa 55:1-3, Isa 65:13, Isa 66:11; Joh 4:14, Joh 6:48-58, Joh 7:37; Rev 7:16 Matthew 5:7”