Lexical Summary merimnaó: To be anxious, to worry, to care for Original Word: μεριμνάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to be anxious, distractedFrom merimna; to be anxious about -- (be, have) care(-ful), take thought. see GREEK merimna HELPS Word-studies 3309 merimnáō (from 3308 /mérimna, "a part, as opposed to the whole") – properly, drawn in opposite directions; "divided into parts" (A. T. Robertson); (figuratively) "to go to pieces" because pulled apart (in different directions), like the force exerted by sinful anxiety (worry). Positively, 3309 (merimnáō) is used of effectively distributing concern, in proper relation to the whole picture (cf. 1 Cor 12:25; Phil 2:20). 3809 (merimnaō ) is "an old verb for worry and anxiety – literally, to be divided, distracted" (WP, 2, 156). It is more commonly used in this negative sense in the NT. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom merimna Definition to be anxious, to care for NASB Translation anxious (1), care (1), concerned (5), have...care (1), worried (4), worry (6), worrying (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3309: μεριμνάωμεριμνάω, μερίμνω future μεριμνήσω; 1 aorist subjunctive 2 person plural μεριμνήσητε; (μέριμνα); a. to be anxious; to be troubled with cares: absolutely, Matthew 6:27, 31; Luke 12:25; μηδέν μεριμνᾶτε, be anxious about nothing, Philippians 4:6; with the dative of the thing for the interests of which one is solicitous (cf. Winer's Grammar, § 31, 1 b.): τῇ ψυχή, about sustaining life, τῷ σώματι, Matthew 6:25; Luke 12:22; περί τίνος, about a thing, Matthew 6:28; Luke 12:26; εἰς τήν αὔριον, for the morrow, i. e. about what may be on the morrow, Matthew 6:34; followed by an indirect question πῶς ἤ τί, Matthew 10:19; Luke 12:11 (here Tr marginal reading omits; Tr text WH brackets ἤ τί); joined with τυρβάζεσθαι (θορυβάζεσθαι) followed by περί πολλά, Luke 10:41 (WH marginal reading omits) b. to care for, look out for (a thing); to seek to promote one's interests: τά ἑαυτῆς, Matthew 6:34 Rec.; τά τοῦ κυρίου, 1 Corinthians 7:32-34; τά τοῦ κόσμου, 1 Corinthians 7:34; ἑαυτῆς, Matthew 6:34 L T Tr WH (a usage unknown to Greek writers, although they put a genitive after other verbs of caring or providing for, as ἐπιμελεῖσθαι, φροντίζειν, προνόειν, cf. Krüger, § 47, 11; Winers Grammar, 205 (193); Buttmann, § 133, 25); τά περί τίνος, Philippians 2:20; ἵνα τό αὐτό ὑπέρ ἀλλήλων μεριμνῶσι τά μέλη, that the members may have the same care one for another, 1 Corinthians 12:25. (The Sept. for דָּאַג, to be anxious, Psalm 37:19 The verb occurs nineteen times in the Greek New Testament and gathers around two main ideas: (1) anxious distraction that hinders faith, and (2) appropriate, God-honoring concern for the spiritual or physical welfare of others. Context alone determines which sense is intended. Teaching of Jesus on Temporal Anxiety In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus repeatedly forbids anxiety over daily necessities (Matthew 6:25, 27, 31, 34). “‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…’” (Matthew 6:25). The Lord grounds the prohibition in the Father’s providence, the futility of worry, and the priority of seeking first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Luke’s parallel material (Luke 12:22, 25, 26) reiterates the same demand for wholehearted trust. This teaching echoes Old Testament calls to cast burdens upon the LORD (for example, Psalm 55:22) and presents anxiety as unbelief in action. The Martha Narrative—An Illustration of Misplaced Concern Luke 10:41 records Jesus’ gentle rebuke: “‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things.’” Her distracted service contrasts with Mary’s single-hearted attention to Jesus’ words. The account demonstrates how even apparently legitimate service becomes spiritually counter-productive when dominated by fretful preoccupation. Pauline Exhortations to Freedom from Anxiety Philippians 4:6 stands as the apostolic parallel to Jesus’ commands: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Prayer replaces anxiety; thanksgiving affirms confidence in divine goodness; the promised result is the peace of God guarding heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). Paul applies the same principle to missionary suffering (Philippians 1:20) and to future verbal defense (Matthew 10:19; Luke 12:11): the believer is not to fret about forthcoming trials because the Spirit will supply words and courage. Legitimate Pastoral Concern A different nuance appears in 1 Corinthians 7:32-34. Paul wishes the unmarried to be “concerned about the work of the Lord,” whereas the married are necessarily “concerned about the affairs of this world.” The issue is not sinful anxiety but divided interests. Philippians 2:20 commends Timothy, “who will show genuine concern for your welfare,” and 1 Corinthians 12:25 urges that the members of Christ’s body “have mutual concern for one another.” Here the verb describes self-forgetting care that mirrors Christ’s love and strengthens church unity. Historical and Cultural Setting First-century Mediterranean life was precarious; scarcity of food, political instability, and threats of persecution made worry commonplace. Against that backdrop Jesus’ and Paul’s teaching offered a radical alternative: reliance on a Father who numbers hairs and attends to sparrows. The early church met material needs through shared resources (Acts 4:34-35), turning potential anxiety into occasions for mutual concern. Theological Emphasis 1. Divine Providence: Anxiety questions God’s rule; trust affirms it. Implications for Contemporary Ministry • Preaching: Faithful exposition should present freedom from anxiety as both command and promise, anchored in Christ’s resurrection which secures the Father’s care. Summary Strong’s Greek 3309 portrays two divergent paths. When directed toward personal security it signifies anxious unbelief; when directed toward others’ welfare or the Lord’s work it signifies holy concern. Scripture consistently calls believers to abandon self-centered worry and to embrace God-centered, neighbor-oriented care, confident that “your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matthew 6:32). Englishman's Concordance Matthew 6:25 V-PMA-2PGRK: ὑμῖν μὴ μεριμνᾶτε τῇ ψυχῇ NAS: I say to you, do not be worried about KJV: Take no thought for your INT: to you not be anxious about the life Matthew 6:27 V-PPA-NMS Matthew 6:28 V-PMA-2P Matthew 6:31 V-ASA-2P Matthew 6:34 V-ASA-2P Matthew 6:34 V-FIA-3S Matthew 10:19 V-ASA-2P Luke 10:41 V-PIA-2S Luke 12:11 V-ASA-2P Luke 12:22 V-PMA-2P Luke 12:25 N-GFS Luke 12:26 V-PIA-2P 1 Corinthians 7:32 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 7:33 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 7:34 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 7:34 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 12:25 V-PSA-3P Philippians 2:20 V-FIA-3S Philippians 4:6 V-PMA-2P Strong's Greek 3309 |
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