Matthew 6:27

Sunday, 19 January 2025

Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Matthew 6:27

“And who from you, disquieting, he can add upon his maturity one forearm?” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus spoke of the birds of the air and how our heavenly Father tends to them. He then noted that man excels the birds. Therefore, it is to be understood that man should be able to rely on the gifts from our heavenly Father in a manner greater than the birds. Understanding this, He next says, “And who from you, disquieting.”

He uses the same word found in verse 6:25, translated here as disquieting. The Greek signifies to be anxious. A single English word to meet that intent is disquiet. In this case, it is a present participle. The person wasn’t just anxious, but he is and continues to be so. He is a worrywart who sits and frets over every issue of his life which is beyond his control.

“What will I have for dinner? What if I don’t have food? What if a snake crawls into the house? What will happen when my children grow up and move out? Who will take care of me? Will the sun rise tomorrow? What if the sun doesn’t rise tomorrow?”

Such a person can never live joyfully in the present because the cares and worries of the world around him mentally hem him in. He is trapped in a cycle of pointless fretting over things he has absolutely no control over. He tosses on his bed at night, and he sits and shuffles his feet during the day, pondering whatever disaster his mind suddenly brings forward. Of such a person, Jesus asks, “he can add upon his maturity one forearm?”

The word translated as add is first found here in Scripture, prostithémi. Depending on the context, it can signify to increase, proceed, add, etc. One can see the etymological root of our modern word prosthesis. A prosthetic device is something added to a person, like Steve Austin’s bionic arm.

The next word, translated as maturity, is hélikia. It is derived from hēlix, an adult comrade. Each of these is akin to hēlios, the sun, because the sun is the great marker of time for humanity. Day by day, it arises, counting man’s days into years as he develops into maturity. The word hélikos, therefore, is rightly translated as maturity, but it signifies in size, years, stature, etc.

The last word of note is péchus. It signifies the length of the forearm, from the elbow to the end of the fingers. This corresponds to the Hebrew word ammah, the mother measurement, meaning a cubit. Jesus is saying that a person has no ability to add a single forearm of length to his stature.

As he cannot do this basic thing that God has genetically instilled into the aging process of man, then should he be fretting about the other things God has control over but which we have no ability to control?

Life application: People get illnesses, cancers, and other afflictions. People get into car accidents. Car accidents can affect people who are not even on the road. An out-of-control car can veer right into someone’s house while the family is having dinner. Meteorites have been known to land in people’s houses.

There is nothing we can do about such things. To worry about what “might” happen is a giant waste of time. And more, it demonstrates a lack of faith in God for those who are saved. If Jesus has truly saved us, then whether in life or in death, we will be brought home to Him someday. This is a promise in His word.

To worry about all the what-ifs of life reveals a lack of faith that everything will be ok in the end. It is damaging to one’s life, it is annoying to the people who have to hear such things, and it takes our eyes off of Jesus. If we have our eyes fixed on Jesus, as the Bible instructs, why should we worry one iota about the things we cannot control?

This doesn’t mean we cannot grieve over getting cancer. The thought of going through the treatment process is unappealing at best. To see someone we love going through it can be almost debilitating because we mourn for their trials. God has given us the ability to mourn and be grieved for a reason. But to worry and fret is pointless. Let’s heed the word of the Lord through Paul –

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7

Lord God, help us to not be worrywarts, anxious Annies, or fretting Franks. Instead, may we live calmly in Your presence, understanding that we just have to trust You with the things we cannot control. You are God, and You have saved us through Jesus’ shed blood. He didn’t worry about the process of His passion. Rather, He entrusted Himself to Your care. May we do likewise. Amen.