And he said unto his disciples,
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat; neither for the body, what you shall put on.
All Commentaries on Luke 12:22 Go To Luke 12
Cyril of Alexandria
AD 444
How carefully and with what great skill he brings the lives of the holy apostles to spiritual excellence. And with them he benefits us too, because he desires all humankind to be saved and to choose the wise and more excellent life. For this reason he makes them abandon unnecessary anxiety and does not allow a careworn and frenetic diligence that would make them wish to gather what exceeds their necessities. In these matters excess adds nothing to our benefit. “Do not be anxious,” therefore, he says, “about your life, what you shall eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.” He did not simply say, “Do not be anxious,” but added “about your life,” that is, do not give much attention to these things, but devote your earnestness to things of far greater importance. For life indeed is of more importance than food, and the body is more important than clothing. Since, therefore, we are at risk concerning both life and body, and pain and punishment are decreed against those who will not live uprightly, let all anxiety be laid aside with regard to clothing and food….These things, in turn, are followed immediately by a savage crowd of other desires, the result being apostasy from God…. It is our duty, therefore, to stay away from all worldly desires, and rather to take delight in those things which please God. Commentary on Luke, Homily
