The Difference Between “Concern” and “Anxiety”

The Greek verb μεριμνάω or merimnao—translated “be anxious” in Philippians 4:6a—and its cognates are used in two important ways in Scripture. First, they are used to indicate healthy concern and care. For example, in Philippians 2:20 the verb is translated as concerned. Paul says to Timothy, “I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare” (emphasis added). In 1 Corinthians 12:25, the verb is translated as care when Paul says, “So that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

Concern and Care Is Biblical

Genuine concern and care for others is biblical (see 1 Cor. 7:32–35; 12:25; 2 Cor. 11:28). Concern in this sense is the attitude of the heart leading to practical expressions of care for the well-being of another. Concern is a mark of healthy mutual relationships (1 Cor. 7:33– 34), a character trait of the godly servant of Christ (2 Cor. 11:28), and should be one of the hallmarks of the interpersonal dynamics of local church life (1 Cor. 12:22–26). Healthy husbands and wives are concerned for one another and their families. Healthy followers of Christ exhibit biblical concern when they share in the sorrows and joys of others.

So the call to turn off the water faucet of worry is not a call to indifference, nor is it an excuse to be irresponsible and unconcerned about people, problems, and life. If your child is ill, you don’t have to worry, but you should be concerned. If you are struggling with finances, you don’t have to worry, but you should be concerned. We should care!

Healthy followers of Christ exhibit biblical concern when they share in the sorrows and joys of others.

I am reminded of this each time I look at the quote hanging on the wall in my apartment kitchen, from Dr. Seuss in The Lorax: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Second, the above Greek verbs are also translated anxiety or worry (see Matt. 6:25–34; 10:19; 13:22; Luke 10:41; 21:34; 1 Peter 5:7). For instance, in Luke 10:38– 42 we read a short narrative about household stress, during which Jesus subverts our expectations by issuing a mild rebuke to Martha. Calling her by name twice, the Lord tenderly points out the heart of her (and our) problem. I imagine Jesus looking at Martha with grace in His eyes and compassion in His voice as He says to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things” (Luke 10:41, emphasis added).

The Sermon on the Mount

In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus devoted an entire movement to talk to us about worry and anxiety. With the authority of heaven, Jesus the King commands us:

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Matt. 6:25–27 NLT)

While under house arrest in Rome, Paul took the time to compose a letter and, echoing the Master, he says the same thing to the Philippians and to us, “Be anxious for nothing.”