Matthew 10:31

Matthew 10:31

Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

a. NLT: So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

b. NIV: So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

c. YLT: be not therefore afraid, than many sparrows ye are better.

d. Amplified Bible: Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows.

e. Worrell Translation: Fear not, therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows.

1. “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

a. fear ye [5399 * phobeo] [Strong: from 5401; to frighten, i.e. (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. revere:--be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence.]

b. not  [3361 * me] [Strong: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

c. therefore [3767 * oun] [Strong:  apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.]

d. ye [5210 * humeis] [Strong: irregular plural of 4771; you (as subjective of verb):--ye (yourselves), you.]

e. are of more value [1308 * diaphero] [Strong: from 1223 and 5342; to bear through, i.e. (literally) transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. (objectively) to toss about (figuratively, report); subjectively, to "differ", or (by implication) surpass:--be better, carry, differ from, drive up and down, be (more) excellent, make matter, publish, be of more value.]

f. than many [4183 * polus] [Strong: including the forms from the alternate pollos; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.]

g. sparrows [4765 * strouthion] [Strong: diminutive of strouthos (a sparrow); a little sparrow:--sparrow.]

1). From the beginning of my Christian experience and probably before that I have been taught that mans place in the kingdom of God is far greater than than any animal, that man is the crown of creation. One of the truths that reveal that is the animal sacrifices God instituted to maintain mans spiritual well being, his relationship with God. There were no doubt millions on animals sacrificed to maintain that relationship. Those sacrifices were a statement to the superiority of man in the eyes of God. Here after establishing the commonness of sparrows Jesus teaches of their place in God’s administration by saying that not one of them dies, without God knowing about it. Then he goes on to say that man is worth more than many sparrows. Two chapters later Jesus again teaches of man’s importance in comparison with animals.

a). Matthew 12:10-13 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

2). Born again men and women are joint heirs with Christ Jesus over this universe, not animals.