Matthew 6:6 Meaning: What Does 'Reward You Openly' Mean?
But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
`But thou, when thou mayest pray, go into thy chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who is seeing in secret, shall reward thee manifestly.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who sees in secret will render [it] to thee.
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus promises that God who sees in secret will reward openly. Does this mean now or later? Explore the meaning of Matthew 6:6.
Context
In the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his followers about three core religious practices: giving to the needy, praying, and fasting. For each one, He warns against doing it just to be seen by others. The hypocrites love the spotlight, but they get nothing more than human approval. Then Jesus turns directly to you: 'But you, when you pray, go into your inner room.' He paints a picture of a private space, a storeroom or inner chamber, where the door is shut. The point is not the physical place but the hidden nature of the conversation. And then He makes a startling promise: your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. This promise holds the key to understanding Jesus' view of prayer.
Key Words
Three Greek words give this verse its shape. Tameion (inner room) can mean a storage room or a private chamber. In the ancient world, it was a place for keeping valuables. Jesus is saying: your most valuable prayers are kept where no one else sees. Kruptos (secret) appears twice. The Father 'is in secret', He dwells in the hidden place. And He 'sees in secret,' not a casual glance but a steady, attentive looking. The word blepo means to perceive with the eyes wide open. So God sees your hidden prayer life with full attention. Finally, apodidomi (will reward) is a business term: to pay back what is due. It is not a gift you did not earn; it is a repayment. God considers your secret prayers a service that He will settle in full.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have understood the 'open reward' in different ways. Some read it primarily as the final judgment: at the end of time, God will vindicate those who prayed in secret, rewarding them openly before all. Others see it as present blessings: answered prayer, growth in character, peace that spills into daily life. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, called it 'a reward of prayer itself,' as if God counts our very trust as worship. Matthew Henry emphasized that the reward includes joy in the Holy Spirit and strength for duty. Both views are held by faithful Christians across traditions. What unites them is confidence that God does not overlook what we hide for Him.
A common misunderstanding
Some think Jesus is banning all public prayer. In fact, the verse is not about location but about motive. Jesus Himself prayed in public and also taught the disciples to pray together. The hypocrites are not condemned for praying publicly, but for loving the praise of people. The inner room is a safeguard for your heart, not a rule for your calendar.
Living This Out
You may not have a literal closet you can use. But you can still shut a door, the door to your phone, your to-do list, your need to be seen. This week, try finding a literal place where no one will walk in on you. A chair in the corner of your bedroom, a bench at the park, or the driver's seat of your car parked somewhere quiet. The point is to create a zone where the only watcher is God. Tell Him what is really going on. Let the secret stay between you. Then watch: He sees. And He will reward, maybe today, maybe at the end.
Main takeaway: Your Father sees what you hide for Him, and He will not let it go unrewarded.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus says when you pray, you can go to a quiet place and talk to God. God sees you even if no one else does. He loves to hear your secret prayers.
For ages 9, 12
Jesus doesn't want us to show off when we pray. He wants us to have a real conversation with God, just between us. Find a spot that is all yours, maybe your room or a quiet corner, and tell God what's on your heart. God sees you there and promises to answer.
Questions People Ask
Does Matthew 6:6 mean I should never pray in public?
No. The verse is about the heart's motive, not the location. Jesus prayed in public and gathered with disciples for prayer. What He rejects is praying to be seen and admired by others.
What is the 'inner room' in ancient times?
It was a small, private storage room inside a house, often without windows. People would go there for solitude. Jesus used that image to mean any place where you can be alone with God.
Is the reward for secret prayer only in heaven?
Christians differ. Some emphasize the final reward of the resurrection. Others see immediate fruits like peace, guidance, and answered prayer. Many believe it is both: God rewards now and fully then.
Does God really 'reward' us for praying? That sounds like earning something.
The Greek word apodidomi means to pay back what is due. It does not mean we earn God's favor by praying. Rather, God counts our secret prayers as precious to Him, and He will not let them go without a response. It is grace, not wages.
What does 'openly' mean in this verse?
The Greek word phaneros means evident, manifest, plain for all to see. At minimum, it means God will make His response known in a way that is not hidden. Some see this as the final judgment when God declares His approval publicly; others see it as answered prayer that becomes visible in your life.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study