Matthew 6:33
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
American King James Version (AKJV)
But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
American Standard Version (ASV)
But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
But let your first care be for his kingdom and his righteousness; and all these other things will be given to you in addition.
Webster's Revision
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
World English Bible
But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
English Revised Version (ERV)
But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Clarke's Matthew 6:33 Bible Commentary
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 the way to happiness. If men be not righteous, there is no heaven to be had: if they be, they shall have heaven and earth too; for godliness has the promise of both lives. 1 Timothy 6:3.
All these things shall be added unto you - The very blunt note of old Mr. Trapp, on this passage, is worthy of serious attention. All things shall be added. "They shall be cast in as an overplus, or as small advantages to the main bargain; as paper and pack-thread are given where we buy spice and fruit, or an inch of measure to an ell of cloth." This was a very common saying among the Jews: "Seek that, to which other things are necessarily connected." "A king said to his particular friend, 'Ask what thou wilt, and I will give it unto thee.' He thought within himself, 'If I ask to be made a general I shall readily obtain it. I will ask something to which all these things shall be added:' he therefore said, 'Give me thy daughter to wife.' This he did knowing that all the dignities of the kingdom should be added unto this gift." See in Schoettgen.
To this verse, probably, belong the following words, quoted often by Clement, Origen, and Eusebius, as the words of Christ: αιτειτε τα μεγαλα, και τα μικρα υμιν προστεθησεται· και αιτειτε τα επουρανια, και τα επιγεια προστεθησεται υμιν. "Ask great things, and little things shall be added unto you; ask heavenly things, and earthly things shall be added unto you."
Wesley's Matthew 6:33 Bible Commentary
6:33 Seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness - Singly aim at this, that God, reigning in your heart, may fill it with the righteousness above described. And indeed whosoever seeks this first, will soon come to seek this only.