Matthew 6:19-34 ESV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:32

For after all these things do the Gentiles seek - The fifth reason against solicitude about the future is - that to concern ourselves about these wants with anxiety, as if there was no such thing as a providence in the world; with great affection towards earthly enjoyments, as if we expected no other; and without praying to God or consulting his will, as if we could do any thing without him: this is to imitate the worst kind of heathens, who live without hope, and without God in the world. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God - See on Matthew 3:7 ; (note). His righteousness - That holiness of heart and purity of life which God requires of those who profess to be subjects of that spiritual kingdom mentioned above. See on Matthew 5:20 ; (note). The seventh reason against these worldly cares and fears is - because the business of our salvation ought to engross us entirely: hither all our desires, cares, and inquiries ought to tend. Grace is the way to glory - holiness... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:34

Take therefore no thought - That is, Be not therefore anxiously careful. The eighth and last reason, against this preposterous conduct, is - that carking care is not only useless in itself, but renders us miserable beforehand. The future falls under the cognizance of God alone: we encroach, therefore, upon his rights, when we would fain foresee all that may happen to us, and secure ourselves from it by our cares. How much good is omitted, how many evils caused, how many duties neglected,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:19

Verse 19 Matthew 6:19.Lay not up. This deadly plague reigns everywhere throughout the world. Men are grown mad with an insatiable desire of gain. Christ charges them with folly, in collecting wealth with great care, and then giving up their happiness to moths and to rust, or exposing it as a prey to thieves. What is more unreasonable than to place their property, where it may perish of itself, or be carried off by men? (450) Covetous men, indeed, take no thought of this. They lock up their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:20

Verse 20 20.But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven They are said to do so, who, instead of entangling themselves in the snares of this world, make it their care and their business to meditate on the heavenly life. In Luke’s narrative, no mention is made of the contrast between laying up treasures on the earth and laying up treasures in heaven; and he refers to a different occasion for the command of Christ to prepare bags, which do not grow old: for he had previously said, Sell what you... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:21

Verse 21 21.Where your treasure shall be By this statement Christ proves that they are unhappy men who have their treasures laid up on the earth: because their happiness is uncertain and of short duration. Covetous men cannot be prevented from breathing in their hearts a wish for heaven: but Christ lays down an opposite principle, that, wherever men imagine the greatest happiness to be, there they are surrounded and confined. Hence it follows, that they who desire to be happy in the world (451)... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:22

Verse 22 Matthew 6:22.The light of the body is the eye We must bear in mind, as I have already hinted, that what we find here are detached sentences, and not a continued discourse. The substance of the present statement is, that men go wrong through carelessness, because they do not keep their eye fixed, as they ought to do, on the proper object. For whence comes it, that they so shamefully wander, or dash themselves, or stumble, but because, having corrupted their judgment by choosing rather... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:23

Verse 23 23.If the light which is in thee be darkness Light signifies that small portion of reason, which continues to exist in men since the fall of Adam: and darkness signifies gross and brutal affections. The meaning is, we ought not to wonder, if men wallow so disgracefully, like beasts, in the filth of vices, for they have no reason which might restrain the blind and dark lusts of the flesh. The light is said to be turned into darkness, not only when men permit the wicked lusts of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:24

Verse 24 24.No man can serve two masters Christ returns to the former doctrine, the object of which was to withdraw his disciples from covetousness. He had formerly said, that the heart of man is bound and fixed upon its treasure; and he now gives warning, that the hearts of those who are devoted to riches are alienated from the Lord. For the greater part of men are wont to flatter themselves with a deceitful pretense, when they imagine, that it is possible for them to be divided between God... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:25

Verse 25 Throughout the whole of this discourse, Christ reproves that excessive anxiety, with which men torment themselves, about food and clothing, and, at the same time, applies a remedy for curing this disease. When he forbids them to be anxious, this is not to be taken literally, as if he intended to take away from his people all care. We know that men are born on the condition of having some care; and, indeed, this is not the least portion of the miseries, which the Lord has laid upon us... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:32

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:33

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:34

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:22

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:24

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:25

Group of Brands