{"id":462,"date":"2014-11-07T12:00:15","date_gmt":"2014-11-07T12:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/forbiblestudynerds\/?p=462"},"modified":"2014-10-27T19:24:18","modified_gmt":"2014-10-27T19:24:18","slug":"matthew-625-34-do-not-worry-word-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/forbiblestudynerds\/2014\/11\/matthew-625-34-do-not-worry-word-study.html","title":{"rendered":"Matthew 6:25-34; Do Not Worry (Word Study)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cSeek first his kingdom and his righteousness\u2026\u201d Jesus told his hearers on the mountainside (Matthew 6:33). This command was both a promise of freedom (from worry) and a promise of daily provision. So what does it mean to \u201cseek\u201d God\u2019s kingdom and righteousness? The Greek word used here is zeeteo<\/em>, and it entails a few important concepts.<\/p>\n

First is the most obvious: Zeeteo<\/em> means \u201cto search for, to try to find or obtain.\u201d Each day we have the privilege to begin anew that search for God\u2019s kingdom wherever it may be found. We search for it in the words of the Bible. We try to find it in our own attempts pray and to listen in prayer. We try to obtain it by paying attention to the inner whisper of Christ\u2019s Holy Spirit who guides us each day. We search for it in the relationships found in our churches and communities of believers, and also in the daily re-creation of lives filled with integrity and service. We search for it in a constant effort simply to know Jesus better in personal, intimate, honest ways.<\/p>\n

Seek<\/em> also implies time and effort invested in our search. As theologian R.T. Kendall explains, \u201cIt is a way of living\u2026In the ancient Hellenistic world, this Greek word (zeeteo<\/em>) referred to a philosophical investigation that could mean a lifelong pursuit. It means making an effort\u2026It is a pursuit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Interestingly, the word zeeteo<\/em> in Matthew 6:33 is used reciprocally elsewhere in the New Testament, often associated with God seeking people, not vice versa. For example, Luke 19:10\u2019s commentary on Jesus\u2019 encounter with Zacchaeus reveals, \u201cThe Son of Man came to seek<\/em> and to save what was lost.\u201d As such, it could be said that Jesus\u2019 real promise in Matthew 6:33 is the same as that of James 4:8, \u201cCome near to God and he will come near to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

After all, it\u2019s in his presence alone that we find true freedom and provision, no matter what our daily circumstances may be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Works Cited<\/a>:<\/p>\n

[SOM, 318]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2126\u2126\u2126<\/p>\n

About: For Bible Study Nerds\u2122<\/a><\/p>\n

About: Mike Nappa<\/a><\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2014 to present by\u00a0Nappaland Communications Inc<\/a>. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cSeek first his kingdom and his righteousness\u2026\u201d Jesus told his hearers on the mountainside (Matthew 6:33). This command was both a promise of freedom (from worry) and a promise of daily provision. So what does it mean to \u201cseek\u201d God\u2019s kingdom and righteousness? The Greek word used here is zeeteo, and it entails a few…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":571,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,15],"tags":[127,197,189],"class_list":["post-462","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-matthew","category-wordstudies","tag-faith","tag-seeking","tag-worry"],"yoast_head":"\nMatthew 6:25-34; Do Not Worry (Word Study) - For Bible Study Nerds<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/forbiblestudynerds\/2014\/11\/matthew-625-34-do-not-worry-word-study.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Matthew 6:25-34; Do Not Worry (Word Study) - For Bible Study Nerds\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cSeek first his kingdom and his righteousness\u2026\u201d Jesus told his hearers on the mountainside (Matthew 6:33). 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