Lexical Summary amerimnos: Free from care, without anxiety Original Word: ἀμέριμνος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without care, secure. From a (as a negative particle) and merimna; not anxious -- without care(-fulness), secure. see GREEK a see GREEK merimna NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and merimna Definition free from care NASB Translation free from concern (1), trouble (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 275: ἀμέριμνοςἀμέριμνος, , (μέριμνα), free from anxiety, free from care: Matthew 28:14; 1 Corinthians 7:32 (free from earthly cares). (Wis. 6:16 Wis. 7:23; Herodian, 2, 4, 3; 3, 7, 11; Anth. 9, 309, 5; (in passive sense, Sophocles Ajax 1206).) Topical Lexicon Concept and Essence The word describes a state of being unfettered by distracting worry, able to act without paralyzing concern about earthly consequences. Rather than passive indifference, it pictures an inner freedom that clears a person to focus single-mindedly on the responsibilities God sets before him. Occurrences in the New Testament • Matthew 28:14 – The chief priests assure the soldiers that if Pilate hears the report of Jesus’ resurrection, “we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” Their promise is to render the guards ἀμερίμνους—unworried about legal repercussions. Contextual Insights Matthew places the term on the lips of corrupt religious leaders, revealing how earthly power can purchase a counterfeit peace—temporary relief from anxiety bought at the price of truth. In stark contrast, Paul employs the same word to commend a genuine freedom that arises from wholehearted devotion to Christ. The juxtaposition highlights two rival sources of “carefreeness”: human manipulation versus trust in divine purposes. Scripture thereby warns that freedom from anxiety is not automatically virtuous; its moral quality depends on the wellspring from which it flows. Theological Trajectory 1. Divine Provision. Throughout Scripture, freedom from crippling worry is grounded in God’s sovereign care (Matthew 6:25–34; Philippians 4:6–7). The term in 1 Corinthians 7 connects that promise to vocational singleness, illustrating how God may call believers into life-situations that maximize their availability for kingdom work. Practical Ministry Implications • Vocational Guidance. Leaders may encourage single believers to value their heightened flexibility for mission, while also assuring married believers that God intends freedom from anxiety within their calling as well. Historical Reflection Early church writers linked Paul’s use of the term to the monastic ideal of single-minded devotion, yet they also cautioned against elevating celibacy above marriage in worth. The Reformers reasserted that true anxiety-free service is a matter of faith, not institutional status, applying the term to every vocation when undertaken “coram Deo.” Related Biblical Themes Freedom from worldly care – Luke 10:41–42; Psalm 55:22 Anxiety and prayer – Philippians 4:6–7 Singleness and ministry – 1 Corinthians 7:7, 7:35 False security – Proverbs 1:32; Amos 6:1 Forms and Transliterations αμεριμνους αμερίμνους ἀμερίμνους amerimnous amerímnousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 28:14 Adj-AMPGRK: καὶ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους ποιήσομεν NAS: and keep you out of trouble. KJV: him, and secure you. INT: and you out of trouble will keep 1 Corinthians 7:32 Adj-AMP |
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