μέριμνα

care, worry, anxiety

Definition

The Greek word μέριμνα refers to a state of mental distraction or preoccupation, most commonly translated as 'care,' 'worry,' or 'anxiety.' In the New Testament, it primarily denotes the anxious cares of this life that can choke spiritual growth, as seen in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:19, Luke 8:14). It also describes the debilitating worries that can weigh down a believer's heart (Luke 21:34). However, in 2 Corinthians 11:28, Paul uses it for his apostolic 'concern' for all the churches, showing it can carry a sense of legitimate, burdensome responsibility. The command in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast all 'anxiety' on God contrasts this human burden with divine care.

Biblical Usage

Μέριμνα is used six times in the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels, Paul's letters, and 1 Peter. In the Synoptic Gospels, it consistently describes worldly anxieties that hinder receptivity to God's word (Matthew 13:22, Mark 4:19, Luke 8:14). Luke also uses it for general life worries that can distract from watchfulness (Luke 21:34). Paul employs it uniquely for his pastoral burdens (2 Corinthians 11:28), while Peter presents it as something to be transferred to God in humility (1 Peter 5:7).

Etymology

Μέριμνα is derived from the verb μερίζω (merizō, G3307), meaning 'to divide' or 'to distract.' Thus, its core idea is that of a divided mind or a distraction of the soul, pulled in different directions by cares. This etymological root directly informs its biblical usage as a preoccupation that fragments one's focus away from God.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it addresses the human condition of anxiety and God's alternative. Jesus and the apostles treat μέριμνα not as a neutral concern but as a spiritual competitor to faith and the word of God. It is a key term in the biblical theology of trust, highlighting the conflict between earthly preoccupations and heavenly priorities. Understanding its root meaning of a 'divided mind' enriches passages like Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus commands against 'worrying,' emphasizing undivided devotion to God's kingdom.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, philosophical schools like the Stoics and Epicureans also discussed anxiety (μέριμνα) as a disturbance to be overcome through reason or detachment. The New Testament's treatment is distinct, however, framing it not just as a philosophical problem but as a spiritual one with a relational solution: casting it upon a personal, caring God (1 Peter 5:7).

φροντίς (phrontis, G5428) — a broader term for thought, forethought, or care, sometimes with a more neutral or positive connotation. λύπη (lypē, G3077) — often 'sorrow' or 'grief,' a deep emotional pain that can be related to anxious care. θλῖψις (thlipsis, G2347) — 'tribulation' or 'pressure,' typically external affliction rather than internal anxiety.

Word Details

Scripture References