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Explanation for:
Matthew
6
:
31
Be not solicitous therefore, saying, What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed?
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Observe how He confronts His audience once more, this time with greater intensity, illustrating that He does not require anything burdensome or hard to accomplish."},{"author-name":"Basil the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c889927158e4af30595484_Basil%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Lord instructs us not to concern ourselves with our food, drink, or clothing; thus, we must consider the scope of this commandment and its true fulfillment. This commandment, like all others, reaches even to the point of death, as Jesus Himself was obedient to death. It is fulfilled through faith in God, as the Lord, having advised us against worry, assured us with the promise that “For your Father knows what you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:32). The apostle exemplified this spirit, stating, “We have the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:9). In other words, though I face daily mortality, my soul’s resolve remains steadfast, sustained by God’s grace. Therefore, I proclaim boldly, “As dying, and behold we live” (2 Cor. 6:9). This steadfastness is nurtured by a passionate commitment and an unquenchable yearning to obey the Lord’s commandments; those who truly possess this desire find themselves untroubled by concerns for physical needs."},{"author-name":"Marcus the Ascetic","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c894db4cf63c9754af102d_Marcus%20the%20Ascetic.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Our Lord, aware that prayer strengthens all aspects of life, instructed us, “Do not be anxious, nor say, ‘What shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we put on?...’. But seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:31-33). In this, He calls us to profound faith. A person who relinquishes worries about worldly matters and departs from all earthly needs will inevitably place their trust in the Lord, focusing on eternal blessings. The Lord clearly stated that one who is faithful in small matters is also faithful in greater ones. His humanity is evident here; He did not dismiss our daily concerns but entrusted us with the present day, directing us in a holy manner not to be troubled about tomorrow. As human beings, it is impossible to entirely disregard our physical needs. While we can diminish many burdens through prayer and self-restraint, we cannot eliminate them altogether. \\n\\nTo attain the fullness of Christ, as described in Scripture (Eph. 4:13), we must not prioritize tasks over prayer nor engage in duties indiscriminately. Our responsibilities arise from necessity and the Sovereignty of God; we should embrace them rather than dismiss them in favor of time spent in prayer. Rather, we must recognize that not all tasks can be equated with prayer, and God's Providence must be acknowledged continually. Anyone who believes otherwise is in conflict with the teachings of Scripture. We should not pit one command against another, for all commandments interlink. As the psalmist instructs, we are to observe all commandments as part of God’s unified stewardship (See: Psalm 118:128). \\n\\nThe essential duties within God's household should be accepted with gratitude, and tasks that are unrelated or excessively burdensome should be set aside in favor of prayer, particularly those that lead to excessive expense or gain. The Lord encourages us to simplify our duties and release material ties so that our minds remain focused and undistracted. By limiting our thoughts, we create space for sincere prayer and faith in Christ. Should anyone struggle with unbelief or weakness in this endeavor, they must earnestly reflect on their situation, strive to cultivate virtue to their capacity, and repent of spiritual immaturity. It is preferable to account to God for our shortcomings than to do so for our deceptions and pride. \\n\\nAdditionally, we require the divine gift of discernment to know which activities should take precedence over prayer. If not, individuals may act according to their preferences, mistakenly believing they are fulfilling their obligations, unaware that to please God, we must not rely on our own judgments. Our discernment is often clouded since the necessary commandments do not apply uniformly or simultaneously; some should take precedence in certain circumstances while others may need to be prioritized at different times. No task persists unchangingly, but each has its appropriate time."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"This reflects the desires of the Gentiles. Eating is not prohibited, but it is wrong to question, ‘What shall we consume?’ The wealthy, as night falls, ask, ‘What will be our meal for tomorrow?’ Do you perceive His prohibition? He disallows indulgence and opulence."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"I reiterated the message regarding concern, as it is powerful and challenging to be liberated from it. Consider that if we are instructed not to worry about essential matters, what kind of forgiveness can we expect if we are preoccupied with the non-essential?"},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"The essence of our Savior's message in the Gospel is clear. It is important to recognize that He does not instruct us to completely refrain from work or to remain inactive, waiting for a divine provision of food and clothing. Instead, He critiques the overindulgence in material concerns and seeks to liberate humanity from the shackles of excess and the frantic pursuit of unnecessary attire. Consider how the blessed Apostles, paragons of virtue, adhered to this calling. They refused to abandon the proclamation of the Gospel merely for the sake of a meal: it is inappropriate for us, who have turned away from God's word, to focus solely on providing sustenance (Acts 6:5). Nonetheless, they deemed it unwise to completely disregard such necessities. They did not claim, “Disregard all worldly cares; God will provide us with food and garments from above.” Rather, they committed themselves fully to prayer and the preaching of the Gospel, while appointing seven individuals to attend to practical needs. \\"Look, brethren, we have seven men among you who have been recognized as full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will entrust them with this responsibility, but we will continue in prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:3, 4). This example underscores that our Savior's teachings condemn the overemphasis on earthly worries and diminish our attachment to material possessions. And why is this so? \\"For all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things\\" (Matthew 6:32)."},{"author-name":"Theophan the Recluse","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8983a6e0f4c3aecaae3fc_Theophan%20the%20Recluse.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"How should we conduct our lives? We need food, drink, and clothing. However, the Savior does not command us to be idle, but rather to be free from anxiety. Do not allow this constant worry, which consumes you day and night, to overwhelm your spirit. Such anxiety is a sinful affliction. It reveals a reliance on one's own strength rather than trusting in divine Providence. When one loses faith in God’s care, they attempt to orchestrate their own solutions and gather everything necessary solely through their own efforts. They hold tightly to their possessions, believing they can find security in them, while love for material wealth ensnares their heart, leading them to desire even more. This attachment to riches has become their idol. While it is important to work diligently, do not let the burdens of worry trouble your heart. Anticipate all success to come from the Lord and entrust your life into His hands. Receive everything you acquire as a blessing from God, and with unwavering faith, look forward to His continued generosity. Remember that in an instant, all that the wealthiest person possesses could vanish if it is God's will. Everything is transient and ephemeral. Is it truly worth it to fret over such things? Therefore, do not be anxious!"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Our Lord instructs, \\"DO NOT WORRY,\\" and adds, \\"DO NOT ASK: WHAT WILL WE EAT? OR WHAT WILL WE DRINK? OR WHAT WILL WE WEAR?\\" The Scriptures affirm that \\"The Lord will not permit the soul of the righteous to suffer hunger\\" (Proverbs 10:3). As the psalmist David declares, \\"I was young and now am old; yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread\\" (Psalm 36:25). The Lord asks nothing that may prove to be too difficult or unattainable. Thus, as He pointed out, \\"If you love those who love you, you accomplish nothing remarkable, for even the Gentiles do the same.\\" In this way, He highlights the Gentiles to correct us and to emphasize that He demands of us the most essential things."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Do not sing asking, What will we eat, or what will we drink, or what will we wear? For the nations pursue these things; your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Christians, without being burdened by worries over material possessions, should prioritize seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, believing that a just person will find contentment in their circumstances and will not feel a deep sense of want, even in times of apparent lack: seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"While Christ does not explicitly contrast His teachings with the conduct of the Pharisees in this instance as He did previously, it can be inferred that His messages regarding generosity and the disavowal of worldly attachment are aimed at them. This is particularly relevant given their reputation for greed (Luke 11:14). Furthermore, the declaration concerning the impossibility of serving both God and wealth appears within the same discourse addressed to the Pharisees (16:1-31). To fully grasp the significance of the teaching about the lamp being the body’s light (22-23) in the context of the surrounding text, it is essential to remember that, according to Scripture, the heart symbolizes the core of our spiritual life and the source of all soul activities (15:14). Thus, these teachings deepen the understanding of verse 21: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also; and where your heart is, there will your mind be also.” Just as the eye functions as the lamp for the body, the mind serves as the guiding light for the soul and the entirety of one's moral existence. If this spiritual vision is pure—meaning that its perceptions and evaluations are not swayed by the heart’s desires for worldly treasures—then one’s moral life will be illuminated and directed toward a singular good purpose. Conversely, if the light emanating from this spiritual lamp—the judgments of the mind—is tainted by dark, sensual cravings, then what is the nature of the resulting darkness, and what deeds might you perform? It is impossible to balance concerns for earthly matters alongside the divine; one cannot serve both God and wealth. Therefore, cast aside worries about your physical needs—what you will eat or drink. Is not life itself more significant than the sustenance it requires? If God has granted you life, surely He will provide the necessary nourishment for it. Consider the birds of the air."}]}
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