Subject: Matthew 6:11. Is spritual or physical? |
Bible Note: Dear Searcher, You can verify my assertion for yourself with a Greek lexicon: look for the word "artos" (Strong's G740), and you will find that this word for bread is never used in a metaphorical fashion in the Synoptic Gospels or the Epistles. It always refers to the provision of food. Erasmus suggested that Jesus was speaking of the trans-substantial body of Christ in the Eucharist. There are many problems with that suggestion, most of them obvious without being enumerated. You are right, though, that the focus changes with the fourth petition. The first three petitions are often associated with the "First Table of the Law," directing us to seek God's glory. The final three are often associated with the "Second Table of the Law," sometimes called the duties of love, specifically those things for which we are to ask for ourselves. Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown make the following statement regarding the nature of this petition: "Among commentators, there was early shown an inclination to understand this as a prayer for the heavenly bread, or spiritual nourishment; and in this they have been followed by many superior expositors, even down to our own times. But as this is quite unnatural, so it deprives the Christian of one of the sweetest of his privileges -- to cast his bodily wants in this short prayer, by one simple petition, upon his heavenly Father. No doubt the spiritual mind will, from 'the meat that perisheth,' naturally rise in thought to 'that meat which endureth to everlasting life.' But let it be enough that the petition about bodily wants irresistibly suggests a higher petition; and let us not rob ourselves -- out of a morbid spirituality -- of our one petition in this prayer for that bodily provision which the immediate sequel of this discourse shows that our heavenly Father has so much at heart. In limiting our petitions, however, to provision for the day, what a spirit of childlike dependence does the Lord both demand and beget!" That this petition refers to the daily provision for the sustenance of life, does not preclude our need of "spiritaul daily bread" (sic). However, I think that that is thoroughly covered in the other petitions, either directly or indirectly. In Him, Doc |