Matt. 5:16 and Matt. 6:1. Contradiction or difference of motives?translated

Reader question:

I ask for clarification: “See that you do not show your mercy before people so that they will see you: otherwise you will have no reward from your Father in heaven...” (Matthew 6:1-4). But at the same time: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Yuri

Priest's answer:

Priest Victor NIKISHOV

Hello, Yuri!

Matt. 5:16 talks about letting people see your good works and glorify the Father. The goal is not you, but God.

Matt. 6:1 warns: do not give alms so that they can see you. The goal is your own glory, the praise of people.

Saint John Chrysostom explains this: in the first case, people, seeing good deeds, glorify God; in the second, a person seeks praise for himself. The same action can be pleasing to God or useless depending on where the heart is directed.

St. Augustine, analyzing this apparent contradiction, says that the commandments do not contradict each other, because the orientation of the heart is important. If a person does good in such a way that it is visible to people for the glory of God, he fulfills Matt. 5:16. If he does the same for the sake of his own glory, he violates Matt. 6:1.

So that one...