Illustrating the Concept of Seeking First the Kingdom
The concept of "seeking first the kingdom of God" is a central teaching of Jesus, prominently featured in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel and reiterated in Luke [1, 3]. Jesus instructs his followers, "But be seeking first, the kingdom and its righteousness,—and, all these things, shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33 Rotherham) [1]. This directive serves as a comprehensive guide for the believer's priorities, encompassing the entirety of Christian life [2].
To "seek the kingdom of God" involves adopting God's value system, pursuing His purpose in the world, and submitting to His authority [5]. This kingdom can refer to several aspects: the present dispensation of the Gospel, the grace of God experienced by believers, or the future heavenly glory [3, 4]. John Gill suggests it might mean diligently seeking and attending to the Gospel and its ministration, prioritizing it above earthly needs like food, clothing, or riches [4]. The "righteousness" associated with the kingdom refers to God's righteousness revealed in the Gospel [4].
The phrase "kingdom of God" signifies Christ's royalty and His saving character [6]. It speaks to the establishment and victorious progress of Christ's new kingdom, which was destined to bring about significant changes on earth and serve as a pledge of His ultimate return in glory [8]. Jesus's parables, such as the Parable of the Pounds, illustrate that He departed to "receive a kingdom" and will return, emphasizing His investment with royalty and His future coming [7].
The promise that "all these things shall be added unto you" refers to the necessities of life, such as food and clothing, which God provides when His kingdom and righteousness are prioritized [3]. This teaching encourages believers to trust in God's provision rather than being anxious about material concerns, placing spiritual pursuits at the forefront of their lives [2].
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 6:33 (Rotherham) — But be seeking first, the kingdom and its righteousness,—and, all these things, shall be added unto you.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you--This is the great summing up. Strictly speaking, it has to do only with the subject of the present section--the right state of the heart with reference to heavenly trod earthly things; but being couched in the form of a brief general directory, it is so comprehensive in its grasp as to embrace the whole subject of this discourse. And, as if to make this the more evident, the two keynotes of this great sermon seem purposely struck in it--"the KING”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 12:31: But rather seek ye the kingdom of God,.... The Vulgate Latin version adds, "first", as also, "and his righteousness", as in Mat 6:33 and the Ethiopic version reads, "seek his kingdom and righteousness" meaning either the grace of God, which is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, Rom 14:17 or the heavenly glory; unless the Gospel, and the dispensation of it, which is the Messiah's kingdom, and which was then just ushering in, should rather be intended. And all these things shall be added unto you; food and raiment, which are as much”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 6:32: But seek first the kingdom of God,.... Meaning either the Gospel, and the ministration of it; in which sense this phrase is often used, see Mat 21:43 and which is diligently to be sought after, and into; to be constantly attended on, and to be preferred to our necessary food, to raiment, or riches, or any enjoyment of life: or else the kingdom of glory, which is prepared by God, and is his gift; for which he makes his people meet here, and will introduce them into it hereafter. And his righteousness; the righteousness of God, which is revealed in the Gospel, and is”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 12:31: 12:31 Seek the Kingdom of God: Adopt God’s value system, pursue his purpose in the world, and submit to his authority.”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 5:31: Prince and a Saviour--the first word expressing that Royalty which all Israel looked for in Messiah, the second the Saving character of it which they had utterly lost sight of. Each of these features in our Lord's work enters into the other, and both make one glorious whole (compare Act 3:15; Heb 2:10). to give--dispensing as a "Prince." repentance and remission of sins--as a "Saviour"; "repentance" embracing all that change which issues in the faith which secures "forgiveness" (compare Act 2:38; Act 20:21). How gloriously is Christ here exhibited; n”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 19:12: PARABLE OF THE POUNDS. (Luke 19:11-27) a far country--said to put down the notion that He was just on His way to set up His kingdom, and to inaugurate it by His personal presence. to receive . . . a kingdom--be invested with royalty; as when Herod went to Rome and was there made king; a striking expression of what our Lord went away for and received, "sitting down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." to return--at His second coming.”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 9:27: not taste of death fill they see the kingdom of God--"see it come with power" (Mar 9:1); or see "the Son of man coming in His kingdom" (Mat 16:28). The reference, beyond doubt, is to the firm establishment and victorious progress, in the lifetime of some then present, of that new Kingdom of Christ, which was destined to work the greatest of all changes on this earth, and be the grand pledge of His final coming in glory.”