QUESTION—What does the phrase πτωχός τῷ πνεύματι ‘poor in spirit’ mean? It describes people who have become convinced of their spiritual poverty and utter helplessness [Lns, My, NTC], those who have a contrite spirit [NTC]. The poverty is that of the internal disposition as opposed to an external material condition [BECNT]. This poverty of spirit is an acknowledgement of one’s entire dependence on God, both physically and spiritually [BECNT, NIBC, TH]. They are spiritually destitute, with no