Seek translates the same Greek verb used in the previous verse, but without a prefix. Although it could be argued that the form with the prefix is stronger, it is better to conclude that the two verbs are here used synonymously. In fact, most translations make no difference in the way in which they render the two verbs.
The text says you are to seek God’s Kingdom first, that is, “above all else.” In other words, God’s Kingdom should be “your primary concern” or “the thing you should be concerned with before anything else.”
His kingdom is translated “Kingdom of God” by Good News Translation. The words “of God” are not found in some manuscripts, and in other manuscripts the words kingdom and righteousness are found in reverse order from what they appear in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. TC-GNT indicates that the UBS Greek text committee supports the order of Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible, but they are uncertain regarding “of God.” However, the overall context of Matthew makes it clear that the kingdom referred to is God’s Kingdom, and so the implicit information may be included on translational grounds. Revised Standard Version in fact does so by translating his (that is, God’s) kingdom.
Both kingdom (see 3.2) and righteousness (see 3.15; 5.6, 10) were previously discussed. In summary it may be recalled that “the kingdom of God” refers primarily to God’s kingly rule, while “righteousness” is the doing of what God requires and of what pleases him. Most commentaries agree with the exegesis represented here, but most translations maintain a rather formal rendering. There are a few exceptions; for example, “Be concerned above all else that you submit yourself to his rule and do what he requires” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), and “Above all else, strive to be a citizen of God’s rule and do what he requires of you” (INCL). It is possible also to understand his kingdom and his righteousness to be essentially synonymous, as in New American Bible: “Seek first his kingship over you, his way of holiness.”
Some, as we said, will follow the text quite closely with a phrase like “May your primary concern be that God’s rule be established and that people do his will.” This is rather impersonal. Others will make it more personal, as in “Be concerned above all else that God establish his rule over you and that you do what he requires” or “Your primary concern should be that you submit yourself to God’s ruling and do all that he requires.”
The passive structure of the Greek text (and all these things shall be yours as well) is transformed into an active construction by Good News Translation, with God expressly indicated as the subject: “he will provide you with all these other things.” It is important that God be explicitly indicated as the subject, otherwise the meaning may be entirely missed. For example, Phillips misses the meaning: “and all these things will come to you as a matter of course.”
The clause is introduced by and. Some translators mark the relationship between the two halves of the verse with an expression such as “If you do that, then God….”
Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
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