OLBGrk;
Ver. 22-30. See Poole on "Matthew 6:25", and following verses to Matthew 6:32, where we before met with all that is here. The thoughtfulness here forbidden is not moderate, prudent thoughtfulness, or care; but,
1. A distrustful thoughtfulness;
2. Distracting or dividing cares, such as make a man live in suspense, and to be wavering as a meteor, mh metewrizesye; or,
3. A thoughtfulness for high things, as some interpret that word; but possibly it better signifies such a thoughtfulness to be forbidden, as keeps the mind of man from rest, in a continual motion and fluctuation; or:
4. Any such thoughtfulness as is inconsistent with our seeking first the kingdom of God. Against this thoughtfulness our Lord arms his disciples with the consideration:
1. Of their dependence on God necessarily for their lives, which are better than meat and raiment, Luke 12:23.
2. Of the providence of God, which extending to all orders of creatures, particularly to such as merely have life, (such are vegetables, the grass and flowers), and such as have only life and sense, (such are the ravens), it cannot be reasonably presumed that it will be wanting to men, who are the most noble order of sublunary creatures, having being, life, sense, and reason (which is the image of God in man).
3. From the consideration of the vanity of this care, by which we cannot contribute a cubit to our stature.
4. From the consideration that the heathens make these things their care, whom Christians ought to excel, as knowing more, and living under more excellent hopes and promises than they have. Lastly, From the consideration of their relation to God as a Father, and their Father's knowing what they have need of, of whom therefore it were unreasonable to presume, that he should suffer them to want what is necessary for his children. See more in the notes before mentioned.