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MATTHEW 6:33 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 6:32Matt 6:34
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. The positive command that resolves the anxiety: seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. The first is the key: not seek the kingdom and other things, but seek the kingdom before and above other things. The all these things — food, drink, clothing — will be added as the consequence of the kingdom-seeking, not as the object of direct pursuit. 1 Kings 3:11–13 provides the paradigm: Solomon asked for wisdom to govern God's people rather than for wealth, and God gave both wisdom and wealth. The kingdom-seeking that does not pursue provision directly receives provision as a consequence of the relationship with the provident Father.

Church Fathers on Matthew 6:33

Having thus expressly cut off all anxiety concerning food and raiment, by an argument drawn from observation of the inferior creation, He follows it up by a further prohibition; 'Be not ye therefore careful, saying, What shall we eat, what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed?'

Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation · non occ.

The Lord repeated this, that He might shew how highly necessary this precept is, and that He might inculcate it more strongly on our hearts.

Remigius · 9th century

It should be observed that He does not say, Do not ye seek, or be thoughtful for, food drink, and raiment, but 'what ye shall eat, what ye shall drink, or wherewithal ye shall be clothed.' Wherein they seem to me to be convicted, who, using themselves the usual food and clothing, require of those with whom they live either greater sumptuousness, or greater austerity in both.

Rabanus Maurus · 9th century
Read all 15 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Matthew 6:33 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy