Matthew 6:25

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

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The verse in Matthew 6:25, where Jesus commands, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” serves as a cornerstone in the Sermon on the Mount, encapsulating Jesus’ radical call to trust in God’s provision and to reorient one’s priorities toward the kingdom of God. Spoken within a discourse that challenges worldly values and unveils the ethics of God’s kingdom, this verse confronts the human tendency toward anxiety and invites believers into a life of faith marked by dependence on the Father’s care. To fully appreciate its depth, we must explore its context within the Sermon, the cultural and spiritual dynamics of Jesus’ audience, the theological implications of trusting God over material concerns, and the practical challenge it poses for disciples in every age.

In the broader context of Matthew 6, Jesus is addressing the heart’s orientation toward God, urging His listeners to live for eternal rather than temporal treasures. Immediately preceding this verse, in Matthew 6:24, Jesus declares that no one can serve two masters—God and money—highlighting the impossibility of divided loyalty. The “therefore” that opens verse 25 connects it directly to this teaching, suggesting that worry about material needs is a symptom of serving mammon rather than God. Jesus identifies specific anxieties—food, drink, and clothing—which were pressing concerns in a first-century agrarian society where scarcity was a constant threat. By addressing these basic necessities, Jesus speaks to universal human fears, grounding His teaching in the everyday realities of His audience while pointing them toward a transcendent trust in God. The rhetorical questions, “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” challenge the reductionist view that life is defined by material survival, inviting listeners to see their existence as a gift from God, sustained by His purposes.

Culturally, Jesus’ words would have struck a chord with His first-century Jewish audience, who lived under the economic and political pressures of Roman occupation. For many, daily survival was uncertain, with food and clothing representing not just physical needs but social status and security. The religious context added another layer, as Jewish tradition emphasized God’s covenantal provision, yet the realities of hardship could test faith in that promise. Jesus’ command not to worry is not a dismissal of legitimate needs but a call to reframe them in light of God’s faithfulness. By contrasting life with food and the body with clothing, Jesus underscores that the Creator who gives life and forms the body is capable of sustaining both. This teaching echoes Old Testament themes, such as God’s provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16) or the Psalms’ affirmations of God’s care for His creation (Psalm 104), reinforcing the idea that worry reflects a lack of trust in the One who holds all things together.

Theologically, Matthew 6:25 reveals the character of God as a loving Father who provides for His children. Jesus’ imperative, “do not worry,” is rooted in the reality of God’s sovereignty and care, a theme He elaborates in the following verses through examples of birds and lilies (Matthew 6:26-30). The Greek word for “worry” (merimnao) implies an anxious preoccupation that distracts from faith, suggesting that worry is not merely an emotional state but a spiritual issue—a failure to trust in God’s goodness. Jesus’ teaching here is not about denying the reality of needs but about reorienting the heart toward the One who meets them. The rhetorical questions challenge the listener to recognize that life and the body are divine gifts, far greater than the material means that sustain them. This perspective aligns with the broader biblical narrative, where God’s provision is a hallmark of His covenant relationship with His people, culminating in the ultimate provision of Christ, who gives eternal life.

Ethically, this verse calls for a radical reordering of priorities, urging believers to live with a kingdom-focused mindset. Worry, as Jesus presents it, is not just unproductive but idolatrous, as it elevates material concerns above trust in God. By commanding His followers not to worry, Jesus is inviting them into a life of freedom, where dependence on God liberates from the tyranny of anxiety. This does not mean ignoring practical responsibilities—Scripture elsewhere affirms the value of work and stewardship—but rather refusing to let those responsibilities dominate the heart. The contrast between “life” and “food,” “body” and “clothes,” serves as a reminder that human existence is not reducible to physical survival but is defined by relationship with God. For Jesus’ audience, this meant trusting God in a world of scarcity; for modern readers, it challenges the consumerist mindset that equates worth with possessions or security with wealth.

Narratively, Matthew 6:25 functions as a bridge between Jesus’ teaching on wealth (6:19-24) and His illustrations of God’s care (6:26-34), reinforcing the Sermon on the Mount’s emphasis on the heart’s allegiance. The verse sets the stage for the exhortation to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (6:33), framing trust as an active choice to prioritize God’s will over worldly concerns. Jesus’ words are both a rebuke and an invitation: a rebuke to those who allow anxiety to master them and an invitation to embrace the freedom of faith. The rhetorical structure of the verse, with its direct command and probing questions, engages the listener personally, forcing a confrontation with one’s own tendencies toward worry and self-reliance. This personal engagement is a hallmark of Jesus’ teaching, which consistently calls for a transformation of the inner life that manifests in outward action.

Practically, Matthew 6:25 challenges believers to cultivate a posture of trust in their daily lives. In a world where economic uncertainty, social pressures, and personal ambitions fuel anxiety, Jesus’ command is a radical call to rest in God’s provision. This involves not only personal faith but also communal practices, such as generosity and mutual care, which reflect confidence in God’s abundance. For the individual, it means bringing anxieties to God in prayer, as Paul later echoes in Philippians 4:6-7, and intentionally focusing on the kingdom rather than material needs. For the church, it means fostering a community that models trust, where resources are shared, and the vulnerable are supported, bearing witness to a world gripped by fear that God’s care is sufficient. The verse also invites reflection on how modern culture amplifies worry—through media, advertising, or societal expectations—and calls believers to resist these pressures by anchoring their lives in God’s promises.

The broader biblical narrative enriches the meaning of this verse, as the theme of God’s provision runs from Genesis to Revelation. From Abraham’s trust in God’s promise to the feeding of the five thousand, Scripture testifies to a God who meets His people’s needs, often in miraculous ways. Yet, the ultimate fulfillment of this trust is found in Jesus Himself, who not only taught about God’s provision but embodied it, giving His life to provide salvation, the greatest need of all. The cross demonstrates that God’s care extends beyond physical sustenance to the redemption of the soul, offering eternal life that no amount of worry can secure. In this light, Matthew 6:25 is not just a call to trust but a gospel invitation to rest in the finished work of Christ, who secures our future in the Father’s hands.

In conclusion, Matthew 6:25 is a profound summons to a life of faith over fear, trust over anxiety, and kingdom priorities over worldly concerns. It reveals a God who is intimately involved in the details of His creation, trustworthy in every circumstance, and worthy of our wholehearted devotion. For Jesus’ first hearers, it was a radical challenge to trust God in a world of scarcity; for believers today, it remains a countercultural call to reject the anxieties of a consumer-driven age and to live as citizens of a kingdom where God’s provision never fails. Through the lens of this verse, we see the heart of the gospel: that life is more than what we can grasp, and our true security lies in the hands of the Father, who gave His Son to make us His own.

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Grace and peace to you, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who has called us out of the darkness of fear into the glorious light of His provision. I write to you, not with the wisdom of this world, but with the truth of the gospel, compelled by the Spirit to stir your hearts to trust in the One who holds all things in His hands. As I reflect on the words of our Savior in Matthew 6:25, where He commands us, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” my soul is moved to exhort you, beloved, to cast aside the anxieties that bind us and to embrace the freedom of a life rooted in faith. May the Holy Spirit illumine our minds and strengthen our resolve as we ponder this divine call to trust, that we may live as those whose treasure is in heaven.

Consider, dear friends, the profound mercy of our Lord’s words, spoken in the heart of His Sermon on the Mount, where He unveils the beauty of life in God’s kingdom. Jesus speaks directly to the fears that grip the human heart—worries about food, drink, and clothing, the very necessities that sustain our daily existence. These are not trivial concerns, for they touch the core of our survival, yet Jesus calls us to rise above them, not by denying our needs, but by entrusting them to the Father who knows them before we ask. The “therefore” that begins this verse ties it to His teaching against serving two masters, reminding us that worry is the fruit of a heart divided, one that seeks security in mammon rather than in God. When Jesus asks, “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” He invites us to see our existence as a sacred gift, far greater than the means that sustain it, bestowed by a Creator whose care is boundless. In this, we hear the echo of the gospel, for Christ Himself, who trusted the Father’s provision even unto the cross, has shown us that true life is found in communion with God.

Theologically, this verse unveils the heart of God as a loving Father, whose sovereignty and goodness are the antidote to our fears. Worry, as Jesus reveals, is not merely an emotion but a spiritual affliction, a turning of the heart from trust to self-reliance. Yet, the God who gives us life and forms our bodies is not indifferent to our needs; He is the One who clothes the lilies and feeds the birds, as Jesus goes on to teach. This truth is rooted in the covenant faithfulness of God, who provided manna for Israel in the wilderness and, in the fullness of time, gave His only Son to meet our deepest need—redemption from sin. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are not only saved but invited into a relationship of trust, where anxiety is replaced by the peace that surpasses understanding. To worry is to forget who we are: children of a Father who knows our needs and delights to provide, not according to our merit, but according to His infinite love.

Let us not be deceived, beloved, for the temptation to worry is as potent today as it was in Jesus’ day. In our world, where economic uncertainty, societal pressures, and the relentless pursuit of more fuel our fears, Jesus’ command to “do not worry” is a radical call to faith. We see it in the anxiety over bills unpaid, the fear of losing status, or the endless striving for security in a world that offers none. Yet, the gospel frees us from this bondage, for Christ has shown us that life is more than what we can grasp or control. He who had no place to lay His head trusted wholly in the Father’s care, and through His sacrifice, He has secured our eternal provision. The cross reminds us that God’s love is sufficient, that His promises are sure, and that our lives are held in His hands, no matter the uncertainties we face.

What, then, shall we do with this truth? First, let us bring our anxieties to the Lord in prayer, for He invites us to cast our cares upon Him. When worries about provision or security arise, let us pause and remember the One who gave us life itself. Take practical steps, beloved, to reorient your heart: meditate on God’s Word, which testifies to His faithfulness; recall His past provision in your life; and pray with thanksgiving, as Paul teaches, that the peace of God may guard your heart. This is not a call to ignore responsibilities—work and stewardship are gifts from God—but to refuse to let those responsibilities master us. When fear creeps in, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, who walked the path of trust and calls us to follow.

Second, let us live as a community that embodies trust in God’s provision. The church is called to be a living testimony to the world, showing that our hope is not in wealth or self-sufficiency but in the God who provides. Are we sharing with those in need, as the early church did, ensuring that no one among us lacks? Are we encouraging one another to seek first God’s kingdom, reminding each other that our Father knows our needs? Let us reject the spirit of scarcity that fuels worry and embrace the abundance of God’s grace, giving generously, loving sacrificially, and trusting boldly. In a culture obsessed with accumulation, let our lives proclaim that true security is found in serving the One who gave all for us.

Finally, let us hold fast to the hope of the gospel, for Jesus’ command not to worry is not a burden but a gift. To trust God is to be set free from the chains of anxiety, to find joy in His presence, and to rest in His care. The One who spoke these words is the same One who fed the multitudes, calmed the storm, and rose from the grave, proving that no need is beyond His power to meet. When we falter, when worry threatens to overwhelm, let us run to the cross, where Christ has already borne our fears and secured our future. Let us store up treasures in heaven, where no uncertainty can touch them, and let us seek first the kingdom, knowing that all we need will be added unto us.

Beloved, may you be strengthened by the truth of Matthew 6:25, living as those who trust in the Father’s provision, with hearts free from fear and hands open to His purposes. May the Spirit empower you to walk by faith, to rest in God’s care, and to shine as lights in a world gripped by anxiety. Stand firm in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and may His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds until we see Him face to face.

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O Gracious and Sovereign Lord, Father of all creation, whose love sustains the universe and whose provision never fails, we approach Your throne of grace with hearts full of awe, seeking Your face through the mediation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and the empowering presence of Your Holy Spirit. As we meditate on Your Word in Matthew 6:25, where our Savior commands us not to worry about our life, what we will eat or drink, or about our body, what we will wear, declaring that life is more than food and the body more than clothes, we are confronted with the tender call to trust in Your unfailing care. Hear us, O God, as we lift our voices in adoration, confession, and supplication, pleading for Your grace to free us from the chains of anxiety and to anchor our souls in the certainty of Your provision.

We glorify You, O Lord, for You are the Giver of life, the One who breathes existence into our beings and clothes us with purpose far beyond the fleeting needs of this world. In Your Son’s words, we see Your heart as a loving Father, who knows our needs before we ask and delights to provide for Your children. You feed the birds of the air and adorn the lilies of the field, yet You value us far more, having created us in Your image and redeemed us through the precious blood of Christ. We praise You for the gospel, which reveals that You are not a distant deity but a God who draws near, who walked among us in Jesus, trusting Your provision even unto the cross, and who rose victorious to secure our eternal life. Your faithfulness, O God, is our refuge, and Your love is the foundation of our hope.

Yet, O merciful Father, we confess that our hearts are often gripped by worry, entangled by the cares of this world that pull us from Your peace. We have fretted over food, drink, and clothing, as if You were unaware of our needs or unwilling to provide. We have allowed the uncertainties of life—bills unpaid, futures unknown, or desires unfulfilled—to overshadow the truth that You are our Provider and Sustainer. Forgive us, we pray, for our lack of trust, for the times we have served the false master of anxiety rather than resting in Your care. Cleanse us by the blood of Jesus, who bore our fears and carried our sorrows, that we might be renewed by Your Spirit to walk by faith, not by sight, trusting in Your promises that never fail.

We lift before You, O God, all who are weighed down by the burdens of worry, those whose hearts are heavy with fear over provision, security, or the pressures of this age. For those who struggle to make ends meet, grant them the assurance of Your presence and the provision of Your hand. For those consumed by the pursuit of more, open their eyes to the surpassing worth of knowing You. For those paralyzed by anxiety over what tomorrow may bring, fill them with the peace that comes from seeking first Your kingdom. May they hear Your gentle voice, reminding them that life is more than what they lack, and that You, the Creator of all, are faithful to sustain them. We pray also for those who, knowingly or unknowingly, fuel the anxieties of others; soften their hearts, Lord, and lead them to reflect Your compassion and generosity.

We intercede for Your church, the body of Christ, called to be a beacon of trust in a world consumed by fear. Make us a people who live out the truth of Your provision, who share generously with those in need and bear one another’s burdens in love. Forgive us for the times we have conformed to the world’s anxieties, hoarding resources or chasing security apart from You. Unite us in the bond of Your Spirit, that we may encourage one another to cast our cares upon You, to seek Your righteousness above all, and to proclaim Your sufficiency to a watching world. Let our lives be a testimony that You are enough, that Your grace is sufficient, and that Your kingdom is the treasure worth far more than anything this world offers.

O God of all hope, we thank You for the promise woven into Jesus’ words, for in calling us to trust You, You offer us freedom from the tyranny of worry. The One who spoke these words is the One who fed the multitudes, calmed the storm, and gave His life to provide for our greatest need—salvation from sin. In Christ, we see Your provision made perfect, Your love made manifest, and Your promises made sure. When we falter, when anxiety threatens to overwhelm, draw us back to the cross, where Jesus bore our fears and secured our future. Fill us with the hope of the new creation, where every need will be met, and every worry will be swallowed up in the joy of Your presence. Until that day, keep us faithful, O Lord, trusting in Your care, seeking Your kingdom, and resting in Your love.

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.