And seek not what you shall eat or what you shall drink: and be not lifted up on high.
και υμεις μη ζητειτε τι φαγητε η τι πιητε και μη μετεωριζεσθε
6 Church Fathers comment on this verse
He continues by stating, ‘do not be concerned about what you will eat or what you will drink, and do not be troubled. He refers to worry as nothing other than the distraction and erratic movement of the mind, flitting from one thought to another while constantly yearning for something greater. Is this not akin to pursuing fleeting illusions?
It suffices for wise individuals that their attire meets basic necessities, is respectable, and is easily accessible, along with a modest amount of food that merely fulfills natural requirements. Their celebration in Christ should be adequate for the faithful: a feast that is spiritual, divine, and intellectual, accompanied by the ensuing glory. "For He shall change the body of our humiliation into the likeness of the body of His glory"; and as He declares, "they shall shine as the sun in the glory of their Father." What garments could possibly eclipse the radiance found in Christ?
Furthermore, it is inappropriate for those who are meant to exemplify holy conduct to allow themselves to lapse into behaviors from which, after becoming guides for others, they should have advised others to refrain. Moreover, the fervor and effectiveness of their sacred ministry would not have been diminished in the least had their followers been weighed down by worldly concerns. Rather, it was imperative for them, with steadfast determination, to completely disregard such distractions and to earnestly pursue the victories of their apostolic mission.
The Lord instructs us in the Holy Gospel, ‘Do not be exalted’ (do not be troubled) (Luke 12:29), which implies that we should not let our thoughts wander aimlessly.
During a conversation with His disciples, a man approached seeking His help in dividing his inheritance with his siblings. The Lord did not assume the role of a civil judge and chose not to grant this request. Instead, He highlighted how self-interest can lead to division even among brothers, criticizing the foolishness of those who seek to amass wealth by any means. He shared the parable of the rich fool to illustrate this point. Refocusing on His earlier discourse with the disciples, He connected it to the lesson in the parable, expressing to the apostles how misguided concerns for earthly matters are for those who follow Him. He urged them to pursue the heavenly rewards of God's kingdom and to remain steadfast, even if the fulfillment of this kingdom does not come immediately.
To emphasize this, He shared the parable of the servants who await their master’s return, prepared to welcome him during the night’s late hours, as well as the tale of a thief who unexpectedly breaks into a home—symbolizing the suddenness of the Lord’s return in judgment.
In His teachings to the disciples, Christ emphasizes liberation not just from greed and the pursuit of wealth, but also from earthly anxieties overall, as illustrated in Matthew 6:25-33 and 19-21.
Christ expanded on this idea, urging His listeners to avoid the distractions of worldly vanity and instead focus on their souls, which hold greater value than their physical bodies. The body represents the most basic aspect of humanity, akin to that of lower creatures, and there is no need to overly worry about satisfying its demands. Nature provides ample resources for this purpose. Consider the crows: ‘they neither sow nor reap; they have neither storehouses nor barns, and God feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?’ The same principle applies to clothing. ‘Look at the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?’ Therefore, there is no need to be overly anxious about food and apparel. ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.’ The Savior also comforted them with these words: ‘Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.’ This understanding is drawn from the teachings presented in the Sermon on the Mount, as found in Matthew 6.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 12 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS