Matt. 5:6

6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (NASB: satisfied)

Matthew 5:20 (NASB) 20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses (exceeds - ESV) that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 6:33 (ESV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Blessed: Beatitude = divine blessing, bliss; Gk. To be enlarged

• “Blessed” (Gk. makarios) can also be understood as favored “fortunate or even “happy.” These people are to be congratulated. This is not a temporary state of pleasure. This blessedness is a favorable spiritual state due to the approval of God. It is neither transitory happiness, as defined by the world, nor dependent on physical or external circumstances

Righteous:

defined a verdict pronouncing righteous.

Gk. Dikaiosu - our pardon and acquittal before the divine judgment bar.

1. The desire to be righteous—to be forgiven and accepted by God; to be right with God.
2. The desire to do what is right—to do what God commands; imitating and reflecting God’s righteousness.

What is real “hunger and thirst”?

Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God, earnestly (KJV:early) I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body

longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (KJV: where no water is)

Job 23:12 (NASB) 12 “I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

What does it mean to be filled?

Ephesians 5:18

We should completely yield to the Holy Spirit so that He can possess us fully. Our obedience to God's commands allows the Spirit freedom to work within us. This includes our innermost thoughts and motives.

Psalms 19:14 (KJV) 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.