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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Matthew 6:33 - 6:33
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33. τὴν δικ. αὐτοῦ, i.e. τὴν δικ. Θεοῦ (Rom 1:17), the leading thought in that epistle. It is the aim (ζητεῖτε) of the Christian life. Note how Christians are taught at least to aim at (ζητεῖν) righteousness, when the heathen earnestly aim at (ἐπιζητεῖν) lower objects.
ταῦτα πάντα προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν. One of the traditional sayings of Christ is closely parallel to this: αἰτεῖτε τὰ μεγάλα καὶ τὰ μικρὰ ὑμῖν προστεθήσεται, καὶ αἰτεῖτε τὰ ἐπουράνια καὶ τὰ ἐπίγεια προστεθήσεται ὑμῖν. Orig. de Orat. 2.
For a corresponding sentiment in Greek philosophy cp. Plato, Apol. Socr. p. 30, ἐξ ἀρετῆς χρήματα καὶ τἄλλα ἀγαθὰ τοῖς ἀνθρώποις ἅπαντα καὶ ἰδίᾳ καὶ δημοσίᾳ. The whole passage is worth reading in this connection. Such passages bear witness that what the best heathen recognised as their best thoughts were in fact the nearest to Christianity. The same Spirit led Gentile as well as Jew.