Matthew 6:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, just as fire heats what is placed in a pot, the ardent spirit processes and consumes the food that enters the stomach. Although referred to as ψυχή, it is important to clarify that this term does not imply a cold nature (ψυχρά), which some uninformed might suppose, but rather signifies that its intense heat can dry up moisture (τὰ ὑγρὰ); this can be evidenced by the sun's actions, which, being hot and fiery, evaporates dampness and dries the ground. The truth of the spirit’s warm nature becomes evident when one considers the state of the body at the time of death. When the spirit departs from the body, all limbs become rigid and cold, akin to ice or snow in winter. Moreover, you can verify this understanding through the experience of famine: as long as the spirit is nourished, the body thrives and becomes robust; however, in the absence of sustenance, the body weakens and perishes. Without food, the body struggles against the warmth of the spirit, just as a copper vessel cannot endure the heat of a fire without water, ultimately succumbing to destruction. Similarly, the physical body, deprived of nourishment, is entirely vanquished, consumed by the fiery spirit that animates it. Importantly, we heed the Lord’s words: "Do not be anxious for your soul what you shall eat, nor for your body what you shall put on," for the soul is greater than food and the body more significant than clothing. Therefore, if we are blessed by the grace of the Most Gracious with what is vital and essential, how much more should we anticipate an abundance of the lesser and more trivial things.

There is another understanding of this teaching. Individuals may experience anxiety in their soul, particularly when preoccupied with thoughts, or in their body, when striving to obtain their desires. Thus, the Lord cautions us against worry in both aspects, declaring, “Do not be anxious in your soul or in your body about food, drink, or clothing. Is not the soul more than food, and the body more than clothing?” This statement emphasizes that the One who grants us the greater gifts will surely provide for the lesser needs, with the greater being of far more value.

Such artificial cravings, birthed from human caprice, can weigh heavily on the soul of the inattentive, compelling them to spend their time in pursuit of fulfillment and sometimes leading them to compromise their moral integrity.

Wise men have long recognized that human nature finds contentment in simplicity, yet the allure of worldly treasures never satisfies fleeting desires. Many fragile believers, ensnared by the alluring customs of this age, become shackled by both societal expectations and their own whims, aware of their bondage but feeling powerless to escape. The compassionate Lord Jesus, eager to liberate us from these burdens, advocates that we should not let our souls cling to what we consume or wear. He does not prohibit us from working to secure our daily bread; rather, in light of God’s decree following our forefather's disobedience—“In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread” (Genesis 3:19)—such effort is required of all humanity. The Apostle Paul, who toiled diligently to support himself, encourages believers to embrace labor, affirming that those unwilling to work should forfeit their right to nourishment: “If any man will not work, neither let him eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

The only-begotten Son of God, who redeemed us from the curse of the law through His sacrifice, acknowledges our human needs and frailties but does not relieve us of the burden of fulfilling them. Instead, He reveals the boundless treasure of divine love and mercy, urging us to anchor our hearts in unwavering faith and confidence in our Father's benevolent provision. In our toil, we are called to manage our needs without being overwhelmed by undue anxieties. His desire is that we remain steadfast, not only regarding excess but also in our essential needs, so that when we labor, we maintain inner tranquility and peace, which are vital for our continual communion with God—characteristics of the faithful children of our heavenly Father, who is always prepared to provide for their needs.

"Is not the soul more than food, and the body more than clothing?" questions the Saviour. If the heavenly Father has bestowed upon us souls and bodies, which surpass food and garments in value, will He not equally provide for the sustenance of our lives? Will His boundless compassion withhold such blessings, which occupy the least significant rank among the myriad of gifts He selflessly offers not only to humankind but also to creatures that cannot speak? He nourishes, shelters, and delights them, paying attention even to the smallest of them. "Consider the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26).

He prohibits greed and excess, but not hard work and craft. The former signifies an obsession with food and clothing, while the latter represents the honest effort to secure them.

Therefore, the Lord did not merely instruct us to refrain from worrying about food, drink, and clothing, but rather, He said, "Do not be anxious for your soul," meaning we should not tether our entire being to the worries of what we will eat, drink, or wear. The term "what" denotes concern over the amount and quality of our provisions and garments. A temperate person finds satisfaction in just enough nourishment for life and garments that provide modesty, causing them to have little anxiety regarding these matters. In contrast, the extravagant and imprudent individual craves an abundance of diverse and luxurious foods, along with a multitude of colorful garments, revealing that their heart is entirely consumed by these concerns. Our Lord did not say, "Fold your hands and remain idle all day, and I will provide you with food, drink, and clothing," but rather admonished, "Do not become a servant to your appetite, nor allow your thoughts to dwell solely on gratifying your flesh." This is why I say to you: no one can serve two opposing masters; you cannot be enslaved by your desires and still be a servant of God and your Lord.

Our Savior offers us multiple examples to encourage acceptance of this life-giving teaching. First, He draws upon the omnipotence of God. He reminds us that our soul is the most valuable nourishment and our body is more precious than clothing. Since God created both your soul and body, can He not, the One who bestowed upon you the greatest honor, provide you with the least of all, namely, food and clothing? Following this reasoning, He quickly presents another, based on the abundance of His Divine Providence.

One such example is Saint Alexander, the founder of the Monastery of the Unsleeping; similarly, there was Vissarion, known for living ‘a bird’s life,’ wandering through sandy deserts without a cell or spare garments; and the ascetic Mary of Egypt, who spent many years not encountering another person. However, such feats are not for everyone to pursue with presumption; they are paths for those uniquely chosen by God’s grace. Among the saints, not all were fitted for such remarkable deeds. Some, due to sheer laziness, might neglect work, cloaking their sloth under the guise of trust in God’s Providence. Yet, our Lord does not advocate for laziness nor does He prohibit work; indeed, labor is a divine blessing. In paradise, God commanded Adam to toil, and following his exile from Eden, He instructed him to earn his bread through hard work. All God’s saints engaged in labor; the apostle Paul supported himself through his own efforts and issued a strong admonition to others: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. The Savior only cautions against those anxieties that can cause one to forget God—those concerns that are excessive, unnecessary, or frivolous, and ultimately beyond our control, resting instead in God’s hands. This is why the Lord did not merely say: do not worry, but added: for your soul, meaning do not surrender your entire being to such worries. He did not say, Remain idle and I shall provide food and clothing; rather, He admonishes against serving one’s desires too fervently or letting fleshly concerns dominate one’s thoughts. This is how the words of Christ and the teachings of the holy fathers should be understood: St. Chrysostom inquires, What does it mean to forsake everything? How will we survive? Should we refrain from sowing? No, He did not imply that sowing or working is unnecessary, but rather that one should not be cowardly and consumed with worries. He also mentioned the need for sustenance, yet cautioned against becoming overly preoccupied with it. When you reflect on the futility of such concerns, let them go. Christ said, Do not be anxious for your soul—not because it lacks need for sustenance, since it is incorporeal—but because it cannot thrive within the body unless it is sustained. Is not the soul more important than food, asks the Lord, and the body more important than clothing? Therefore, He who formed the flesh that requires nourishment will surely provide for it. Behold, but do not torment yourself with unnecessary anxieties. Despite your efforts, you cannot control the rain, sunshine, or wind essential for fruitful harvests. Only God grants these. In His benevolence, as Blessed Augustine stated, God has granted you life and created the wonderful structure of your body; does He lack the power and generosity to supply you with all you need for life: food, clothing, shelter? These are of little more worth than your own life—so why worry and be troubled about them? You will not remain on this earth forever; why become so anxious over the comforts of this life and neglect the eternal? Focus on obtaining your daily bread and what is truly necessary; leave the rest to God the Provider. If God grants it to you, thank Him and use it for His glory; if He withholds it, do His holy will, humble yourself, acknowledging, ‘I am unworthy, Lord,’ and thank Him once more for not providing. Only He knows if what you desire might have led to your ruin. God understands better than you what is truly good or harmful for you.

It is clear that their lazy inclination led them to misconstrue Christ’s teachings. Had they grasped the true essence of Christ’s message and overcome their sloth, they would not have disdained diligence and responsibility. When God placed the first humans in the garden, He intended for them to tend to and cultivate it; this duty to work was not a punishment but a fundamental aspect of their happiness. Thus, those who labor are aligning with God’s will, while those who choose idleness are acting against His command. The principle of labor was reaffirmed at Adam’s expulsion from paradise: “in the sweat of your face you shall eat bread” (Gen. 3:19). Acknowledging the universal applicability of this principle, Christ Himself worked diligently as a carpenter before His ministry, sustaining His own needs. He instructed us to labor not only for ourselves but also for others—feeding the hungry, quenching the thirst of those in need, providing shelter for the stranger, and clothing the poor. When He sent out His apostles to share the Gospel, He assured them that “the labourer is worthy of food” (Matt. 10:10); similarly, when He sent out the seventy disciples, He reminded them that “the labourer is worthy of the reward of his labour” (Luke 10:7). Prudent care is not discouraged: Christ maintained a treasury for necessary expenses, and after feeding the multitude, He directed His followers to collect the leftovers for future use. His apostles, as His first disciples and interpreters of His teachings, did not shun work; the Apostle Paul worked tirelessly as a tent-maker and declined personal financial assistance (Acts 18:3; Acts 20:34; 2 Thess. 3:8). Acknowledging the value of labor, he wrote to the Thessalonians: “If any man will not labour, neither shall he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). The exhortation to “not care” may not fully capture the essence of Christ’s message. He does not command us, like the birds, to refrain from sowing or gathering, nor does He urge the lilies to neglect their tasks; rather, He cautions us against letting our concerns for food, drink, and clothing lead us to a state of anxious despair that erodes our faith in God's mercy.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you, which means that the importance of our material needs will emerge naturally in light of our primary aim of attaining the kingdom of God. Consequently, this also clarifies the nature of our worries about tomorrow. While it might seem contrary to worldly wisdom—which advocates for future planning—upon closer inspection, the true principle returns to the pursuit of God’s kingdom and the overall purpose of our concerns. Planning for future needs, driven by experience and sound judgment, should be undertaken well in advance, rather than waiting until those needs arise. For instance, a farmer prepares the land and plants seeds long before the harvest, demonstrating a proactive approach. However, these preparations are not merely concerns of the future but essential activities during the periods of sowing and reaping.

The harmony between seeking the Kingdom of God and addressing worldly necessities can be illustrated by examining the lives of students, servants, or travelers. For some, the commitment to their studies, for others, the aims of their journeys, becomes their primary focus, yet they still attend to other essential aspects such as meals, rest, communication with loved ones, and even enjoyment. In the case of focused students and dedicated servants, their commitment to their tasks may lead them to neglect food, rest, and other obligations not directly tied to their primary goal. Conversely, concerns for the needs of others or fears related to travel can similarly result in forgetting to eat or rest. Nevertheless, some may find that these worries about external needs or travel difficulties lead them to abandon their studies, services, or journeys. Yet, the essence remains unchanged. Those who strive for the kingdom of God and His righteousness should not allow their focus on physical needs and worldly matters to obstruct their path to the Kingdom of Heaven.

The term 'soul' refers to the overall vitality of the human being, which is nourished by sustenance (cf. Matthew 10:39; Matthew 16:25). The soul cannot be deemed more significant than food. If God has endowed humanity with greater gifts, wouldn’t it be even simpler for Him to provide the lesser gifts? (cf. Chrysostom, Theophylact, Athanasius the Great). He has granted life, which is far more significant, valuable, and essential than the food and drink that sustain it. He crafted a body that is also more significant, valuable, and essential than garments. Given His immense power and goodness shown in granting life, should we not trust that He possesses the same power and goodness to provide for what is of lesser worth, such as food, drink, and clothing? So why the restless and anxious worry over such minor concerns?