Matthew 6:27

[Jun_Canada]

http://www.christianforums.com/t94959&goto=nextnewest

Hi every1

Can someone expand more on the meaning of this verse.
Im on a mission to truly understand what the Word says and so im having a bit of trouble understanding this verse

Thank you
God Bless

 

[rogsr]

"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" (NKJV)

For the sake of words...
A cubit is a measure of distance (18 inches)

Jesus is basically saying that worrying in any event is useless. It means that no man by worrying can add the shortest space to his life. It is Jesus' argument that worrying is useless. This verse is connected to what He is saying just prior to this from verses 25-26. God gives to the animals, and we're more important to Him then animals so why would someone worry about not having enough?

Does this help?

 

[Jun_Canada]

I understand.
How about Matthew 7:6?
The notes in my study bible say that we shoudnt waste our time on people who dont want to listen and only put us down

Arnt we supposed to spread the gospel to EVERY1, especially to those who are not saved?

Thank you
God Bless

 

[rogsr]

Don't fall into misreading this part of the Gospel of Matt. It is not promoting any kind of exclusiveness.

Basically what Jesus is doing is warning us not to fall into the traps that people set for us His servants. Traps like when someone asks you a question about your faith, but not because they are interested in coming to faith but only to ridecule you or start an argument.

Here is a real life example: I had a philosophy professor who asked me to tell him why evil exists. I gave him a good answer and he hammered with all kinds of philosophical rhetoric. I failed to heed Jesus' warning in Matt. 7:6 to not give pearls to swines. I could tell that he got off by confusing me with all of his many words. The following week he did the same thing, asking me about the trinity. I told him that since he didn't really care about the answer then I didn't care to give it. He then cited Jesus saying to witness to all the people. I cited Matt 7:6 and told him that it would be pointless to give a pearl to a swine because the swine wouldn't know it's value. I won the argument without even arguing.

does this help?

 

[Rafael]

You have to balance things with love. As rogsr said, you should be kind and humble with people andwilling to share the good news, but people that you know are going to abuse you - don't waste time with them.

1Pe 3:15 But give honour to Christ in your hearts as your Lord; and be ready at any time when you are questioned about the hope which is in you, to give an answer in the fear of the Lord and without pride;

 

[Caelum]

NIV Study bible suggests(Concerning specifically verse 6:27): But anxiety may very well shorten one's life span, as modern medicine has shown.

haha, very literal approach, I love it...

In my opinion, I think this verse in its entirety asks: What benefit is accomplished by worrying? An honest answer would state none, and infact quite the opposite, therefore; why bother?

 

[Yitzchak]

Matthew 6:27 - I think it means in context that we grow automatically in the sense that we don't have to put concious effort into it....... I am born as a baby and grow into an adult not because of effort on my part to "will" myself to grow.......In other words, in context God takes care of the natural processes of life.....feeding the birds, the balance of the eco system in nature and he take scare of us being born and growing without any help from us.......

 

[Yitzchak]

Matthew 7:6 I think ties in with the concepts discussed in Matthew chapter 13.....The sower and the seed......Jesus spoke in parables in order to hide his truthes from those with hard hearts..........
I agree with what the earlier poster said in the fact that the practical application of this truth is for us to discern when someone is not sincere in their motives and refrain from going in circles with them about something as precious as God's truth......