Q: In Matthew 6:31, Jesus says, Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? but in First Timothy 5:8, Paul says that If anyone does not provide for his own, especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. Dont these two statements contradict each other?
A: No. The problem seems to have arisen through an understandable but nevertheless erroneous misinterpretation of both passages. A resolution may be efficiently reached by considering just the first passage. In Matthew 6:31 the term for thought does not preclude deliberate provision for ones family; it is a call not to worry about such things or be anxious about them. The NASB (Do not worry, then ) and the NKJV (Therefore do not worry) and the RSV (Therefore do not be anxious) convey the meaning better for modern readers.
So, since one can provide for the members of ones family while not fretting about their food, drink, and clothing, theres no contradiction here.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
A: No. The problem seems to have arisen through an understandable but nevertheless erroneous misinterpretation of both passages. A resolution may be efficiently reached by considering just the first passage. In Matthew 6:31 the term for thought does not preclude deliberate provision for ones family; it is a call not to worry about such things or be anxious about them. The NASB (Do not worry, then ) and the NKJV (Therefore do not worry) and the RSV (Therefore do not be anxious) convey the meaning better for modern readers.
So, since one can provide for the members of ones family while not fretting about their food, drink, and clothing, theres no contradiction here.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
