Matthew 6:30-32

 

 

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Seemon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch (1834-1890)

Click to enlarge
"Sermon on the Mount"
(Bloch)

Matthew 6:30 "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! (NASB: Lockman)

Greek: ei de ton chorton tou agrou semeron onta (PAPMSA) kai aurion eis klibanon ballomenon (PPPMSA) ho theos houtos amphiennusin, (3SPAI) ou pollo mallon umas, oligopistoi?
Amplified: But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith? (Amplified Bible - Lockman)

KJV: Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
NLT:  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! (
NLT - Tyndale House)
Philips:  Now if God so clothes the flowers of the field, which are alive today and burnt in the stove tomorrow, is he not much more likely to clothe you, you 'little-faiths'? (
New Testament in Modern English)
Wuest: And in view of the fact that the herbage of the field, which is in existence today and tomorrow is thrown into a furnace, God thus clothes, will He not the sooner clothe you, you of little faith? (
Wuest: Expanded Translation: Erdmans)

Young's Literal: `And if the herb of the field, that to-day is, and to-morrow is cast to the furnace, God doth so clothe--not much more you, O ye of little faith?

REFERENCES

Albert Barnes
Brian Bell
John Calvin
Rich Cathers
Oswald Chambers
Thomas Constable
Ron Daniels
Bob Deffinbaugh
John Gill
Guglielmo, Joe
David Guzik
Danny Hall
Danny Hall
Matthew Henry
Gregg Herrick
F B Hole
IVP Commentary
Jamieson, F. B
S Lewis Johnson
Hampton Keathley
John Lightfoot
John MacArthur
John MacArthur
John MacArthur
J Vernon McGee
Phil Newton
A W Pink
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
Ray Pritchard
Ray Pritchard
A T Robertson
Gil Rugh
J C Ryle
J C Ryle
Chuck Smith
C H Spurgeon
Marvin Vincent
Steve Zeisler
Precept Ministries
Our Daily Bread

Matthew 6
Matthew 6:19-34
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Matthew Sermon Notes
Matthew 6:30
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Matthew 6:19-34 The Fatal Failures of Religion
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Matthew sermon Notes
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Matthew 6.19-24 Managing Your Portfolio Part 1
Matthew 6.19-24 Managing Your Portfolio Part 2
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Matthew 6:1-8 Exposition
Matthew Commentary
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Matthew Audio - 101 Messages!
Matthew 6:The Practice of Righteousness
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Matthew 6:25-34 Mastery of Materialism
Matthew 6:25-30a: Overcoming Financial Worry 1
Matthew 6:25-34: Overcoming Financial Worry 2
Matthew 145 Mp3 Audios - Thru the Bible
Matthew 6:25-34 The Cure for Anxiety
Matthew 6:19-34: Don’t Be Anxious, Lay Up Treasures

Matthew 6:19-34 Don’t Be Anxious, Lay Up Treasures
Matthew 6:24-34: Do Not Be Anxious about Your Life
Matthew 6:25-34: Battling the Unbelief of Anxiety
Matthew 6:19-34 The Treasure Principle
Matthew 6:25-34 Three Things Not To Worry About
Matthew 6
Matthew 6:25-34 Do Not Be Anxious
Matthew 6 Commentary
Matthew 6:25-34 Expository Thoughts
Matthew 186 Sermons
Matthew 6:30
Matthew 6
Matthew 6:1-14, 16-18: Honored by Men, or By God?
Inductive Study on Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 6:25-34 Matthew 6:32 Matthew 6:32

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?: ei de ton chorton tou agrou semeron onta (PAPMSA) kai aurion eis klibanon ballomenon (PPPMSA) ho theos houtos amphiennusin, (3SPAI) ou pollo mallon umas, oligopistoi (Psalms 90:5,6; 92:7; Isaiah 40:6-8; Luke 12:28; James 1:10,11; 1 Peter 1:24) (8:26; 14:31; 16:8; 17:17; Mark 4:40; 9:19; Luke 9:41; John 20:27; Hebrews 3:12)

Furnace (2863) (klibanos) was a large round earthen dome or pot, two or three feet high, narrowing toward the top. This being first heated by a fire made within, the dough or paste was spread upon the side of the pot to bake, thus forming thin cakes. This method of baking is still used in the Middle East and was common, as it is still, around the island of Cyprus.

Dried grass was an important fuel source in the sparsely treed land of Palestine.

Jesus' point is that the grass (as is true with the lilies) is alive for a few hours or days, and then is gone. And yet despite the fact that the grass and flowers are temporary creations, God still provides for them. It follows that if God provides for the temporary aspects of creation, will He not provide for the eternal? The answer obviously is "yes" and even much more so. 

BECOME
A "SPIRITUAL BIRDWATCHER"
and/or
A "SPIRITUAL GARDNER"

As practical application, you might consider taking up the "avocation" of "spiritual bird watching" and/or "spiritual gardening." One cannot help but wonder whether bird watchers and gardeners worry less? Although you might think it somewhat unorthodox, consider setting up a bird feeder that you can easily observe and then every time you see one of God's beautiful creatures, ask God by His Spirit to bring the simple but profound truths of Jesus' message on worry to mind (cf Pr 23:7a, Ro 12:2 renewing your mind, Phil 4:8-9 dwelling on what is true and practicing it brings peace). Might such an "exercise" of meditating upon the trustworthy, dependable watch care of our Father for our feathered friends begin to free us from fretting?!

Much (4183) (polus) means many, much of number, quantity or amount, like a great crowd, loud mourning, plentiful harvest, late hour, long time, etc.

More (3123) (mallon an adverb comparative of mála = very) means very, very much, exceedingly.

This phrase "pollo mallon" means all the more and when referring to quantity means greater abundance, but as used here refers to greater certainty.

James uses a similar analogy to picture the life of the "rich and famous" writing...

let the rich man glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind, and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. (James 1:10,11)

 You of little faith (Mt 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; 17:17; Mark 4:40; 9:19; Luke 9:41; John 20:27; Hebrews 3:12)

Little faith (3640) (oligopistos from olígos = little + pístis = faith, firm persuasion, conviction) means having but little faith and so incredulous or lacking confidence in God and His Word of Truth. Faith here is not just mental assent but a firm conviction to the truth, a surrender to the truth and a conduct emanating from that surrender. In sum, faith shows itself genuine by a changed life.

Worrying shows that one has “little faith” in what God can do and that He is able to meet all of our needs.

This expression "little faith" is used four times in Matthew, once in Luke (Luke 12:28), as an encouragement to growth in faith as well as a gentle reproof.

And He said to them, "Why are you timid, you men of little faith?" Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and it became perfectly calm. (Mt 8:26)

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mt 14:31)

"But Jesus, aware of this, said, "You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?" (Mt 16:8)

The perfect cure for worry is trust in God.  Faith is total confidence in the provision of God.

Therefore, a lack of faith will lead to a life of psychological anxiety. Since this lack of faith is identified with sin, Adams is correct in asserting that man’s emotional problems stem from his sin (J. Adams, Christian Counselors’ Manual. p. 117 ff.). In the Sermon on the Mount we have then, not only a directive for spiritual well-being, but the model of a manual of mental health as well. (Hindson, E, Woodrow Kroll: KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)

 Spurgeon wrote in a devotional entitled "Divine Provision" that...

CLOTHES are expensive, and poor believers may be led into anxiety as to where their next suit will come from. The soles are thin; how shall we get new shoes? See how our thoughtful Lord has provided against this care. Our heavenly Father clothes the grass of the field with a splendor such as Solomon could not equal: will He not clothe His own children? We are sure He will. There may be many a patch and a darn, but raiment we shall have. A poor minister found his clothes nearly threadbare and so far gone that they would hardly hold together; but as a servant of the Lord, he expected his Master to find him his livery. It so happened that the writer on a visit to a friend had the loan of the good man’s pulpit, and it came into his mind to make a collection for him, and there was his suit. Many other cases we have seen in which those who have served the Lord have found Him considerate of their wardrobe. He who made man so that when he had sinned he needed garments, also in mercy supplied him with them; and those which the Lord gave to our first parents were far better than those they made for themselves. (Faith's Checkbook))

The great saint George Mueller (Click for example of Mueller's amazing faith) once said that

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.

J C Ryle writing that Jesus

suggests to us that over-carefulness about the things of this world is most unworthy of a Christian. One great feature of paganism is living for the present. Let the pagan be anxious if he wants to; he knows nothing of a Father in heaven. But let the Christian, who has clearer light and knowledge, give proof of it by his faith and contentment. When we are bereaved of those we love, we are not to “grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope” (1Thessalonians 4:13). When we are tried by anxieties about this life, we are not to be over-careful, as if we had no God, and no Christ. (Matthew 6:25-34 Expository Thoughts)

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F B Meyer has the following devotional on Mt 6:31-32 CHRIST'S TEACHING ABOUT TRUST - LET US trust God to care for us! This was the life that Jesus lived.

He would not even make stones into bread; nor eat until His Father bade Him and sent the angels to minister to Him. He speaks out of His heart when He bids us trust our Father's care.

It is better to trust in God than to accumulate riches. The moth and rust destroy, thieves steal, all earthly goods are perishable and precarious. How many have placed their savings in stocks and shares, in banks and companies, and have lost every penny! Whilst others who have been unable to save and have lived to help their fellow-men, have found that God has made provision for them and carried them "even to hoar hairs."

Trust in God gives clearness of vision. When we are thinking partly of doing God's work in the world, and partly of lining our own nest, we are in the condition of the man whose eyes do not look in the same direction. There is a squint in our inner vision. We are endeavouring to serve two masters, and our judgment is therefore distorted. Who has not often experienced this? You have tried to ascertain God's will, or to form a fight judgment about your life, but constantly your perception of duty has been obscured by the thought that, if you decided in a certain direction, you would interfere with your interests in another. Your eye has not been single, and you have walked in darkness. When, however, you feel so absorbed in God's interests that you are indifferent to your own, all becomes clear, and you leave Him to care for all results. "Mind my business," said Queen Elizabeth to one of her ambassadors, "and I will look after yours."

Let us not think that God is niggardly and stinting in His gifts. He gives fish as well as bread when He feeds the crowds; colours as well as leaves when He clothes the flowers. You have been adopted into His Family, and may call Him "Abba, Father." Surely this act of grace shows a special love on His part. Would He have taken such care of the spiritual, and have none for the physical? The ungodly may worry about their maintenance; but a child of God may be sure that His needs will be supplied.

PRAYER - Thou art our portion, our God, our Father. Thou art more than father and mother to those who trust Thee. Thou lovest us with a tender pity that never fails or wearies. Encompass us with Thy guardian care, and realise in us Thy highest purposes. AMEN. (Our Daily Walk)

 

Matthew 6:31 "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing? (NASB: Lockman)

Greek:  me oun merimnesete (2PAAS) legontes, (PAPMPN) Ti phagomen? (1PAAS) e, Ti piomen? (1PAAS) e, Ti peribalometha? (1PAMS)
Amplified:  Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? (Amplified Bible - Lockman)

KJV: Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
NLT:  So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. (
NLT - Tyndale House)
Philips: So don't worry and don't keep saying, 'What shall we eat, what shall we drink or what shall we wear?!  (
New Testament in Modern English)
Wuest:  Therefore, stop worrying, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we clothe ourselves? (
Wuest: Expanded Translation: Erdmans)

Young's Literal: therefore ye may not be anxious, saying, What may we eat? or, What may we drink? or, What may we put round?

Do not worry then, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear for clothing?: me oun merimnesete (2PAAS) legontes, (PAPMPN) Ti phagomen? (1PAAS) e, Ti piomen? (1PAAS) e, Ti peribalometha? (1PAMS) (Mt 4:4; 15:33; Leviticus 25:20-22; 2 Chronicles 25:9; Psalms 37:3; 55:22; 78:18-31; Luke 12:29; 1 Peter 5:7)

Therefore do not worry and be anxious (Amplified)

Therefore, stop worrying (Wuest)

Therefore (3767) (NAS = "then") indicates that Jesus is drawing a conclusion based on the preceding truth that in view of the fact that God provides for the basic needs of the birds and the flowers, and then even more so for His own sons and daughters, we have no need to worry. Worry over the essentials of life has no place in the believer's life - God will provide for our needs (but not our "greeds").

Jesus explains in the next verse that this is the way Gentiles live, which is not surprising in view of the fact that God is not their Father (contrary to what the pundits often say, we are not all one big family of God - unbelievers have Satan as their father [cp John 8:44, note Colossians 1:13], only believers have God as their Father) and they have no sense of God's watch care and so it is only natural for them to focus on temporal needs.

Jesus is attempting to awaken His listeners (so that they might become hearers who are doers or who hearken) to understand that they serve a different "master" and should focus on kingdom priorities because God knows their needs.

Worry (3309) (merimnao from merimna from merizo = divide - draw different directions ~ distraction  - which is exactly what anxiety does to most of us!) expresses a strong feeling for something or someone, often to the point of being burdened. Although this can be a "positive" concern, in most of the NT uses it refers to an anxious concern, based on apprehension about possible danger or misfortune, and so it means to be worried about, to be anxious about, to be apprehensive (viewing the future with anxiety or alarm), to be unduly concerned, to be burdened with anxious care or cumbered with many cares and in simple terms to worry.

 

Matthew 6:32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (NASB: Lockman)

Greek:  panta gar tauta ta ethne epizetousin; (3PPAI) oiden (3SRAI) gar ho pater umon ho ouranios hoti chrezete (2PPAI) touton apanton.
Amplified: For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)

KJV: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
NLT:  Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, (
NLT - Tyndale House)
Philips: That is what pagans are always looking for; your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (
New Testament in Modern English)
Wuest:  For all these things the pagan Gentiles are diligently seeking. For your heavenly Father knows that you are in constant need of all these things. (
Wuest: Expanded Translation: Erdmans)

Young's Literal:  for all these do the nations seek for, for your heavenly Father doth know that ye have need of all these

For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these thingS: panta gar tauta ta ethne epizetousin (3PPAI)  (Mt 5:46,47; 20:25,26;