And which of you by taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
τις δε εξ υμων μεριμνων δυναται προσθειναι προσθηναι επι την ηλικιαν αυτου πηχυν ενα
5 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Consider this: what benefit do you gain from your worries? Do they contribute even a little to your stature? Quite the opposite; your anxieties wear you down, for worry diminishes your strength. If you cannot increase even a tiny measure, why concern yourself with other matters? Clearly, just as the Lord provides growth, He will also take care of everything else.
It is also stated that He refers to the smallest aspect as the increase of a cubit in stature.
During a discussion with His disciples, a person approached Jesus, asking Him to mediate a dispute regarding the division of his inheritance with his siblings. The Lord had never assumed the role of a civil magistrate, and in this instance, He chose not to comply with the request. Instead, He highlighted how self-centeredness can fracture even the bonds of brotherhood, warning against the folly of those who seek to amass wealth through any means, as illustrated in the parable of the foolish rich man. Steering the dialogue back to His earlier conversation with the disciples, He emphasized how inappropriate it is for those who follow Him to be consumed by worldly worries.
He encouraged them to seek the heavenly rewards of God's kingdom, urging them not to falter even if the fulfillment of this promise was not immediate. To reinforce this message, He shared the parable of servants eagerly awaiting their master's return, prepared to greet him at the late hours of the night, along with the parable of the thief who breaks into a house unexpectedly, portraying the suddenness of the Lord's appearance in judgment.
In His discourse with the disciples, Christ imparts teachings aimed at liberating them not just from greed and the longing for wealth, but also from the anxieties of everyday life. These teachings can be found in Matthew 6:25-33 and 19-21.
Christ elaborated on this idea, urging His listeners to refrain from engaging in the fleeting pursuits of this world and instead focus on the soul, which surpasses the body in worth. The physical body is the most basic aspect of humanity, akin to the lower creatures, and there is no need to overly preoccupy oneself with its needs. Nature itself provides ample resources for fulfilling those needs. Consider the birds: "they neither sow nor reap; they have neither storehouses nor barns, and God feeds them." Are not humans of greater value than birds?
The same principle applies to clothing: "Look at the lilies, how they grow; they neither labour nor spin; and yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." If God so wonderfully adorns the grass of the field, which is here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will He care for you, O you of little faith? Therefore, there is no need for excessive worry about food and clothing. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you." Furthermore, the Savior reassured them with comforting words: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." This passage highlights essential teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 12 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS