from a compound of μετά and a collateral form of αἴρω or perhaps rather ἀήρ (compare "meteor"); to raise in mid-air, i.e. (figuratively) suspend (passively, fluctuate or be anxious):--be of doubtful mind.
Transliteration:meteōrízō
Pronunciation:met-eh-o-rid'-zo
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb μετεωρίζω (meteōrízō), Strong's `{{G3349}}`, carries a rich semantic range rooted in its etymology. Literally, it means "to raise in mid-air" or "to suspend." This primary sense evokes an image of being lifted off the ground, without firm footing, or floating. The word is derived from μετά (meta), indicating change or movement, and a form related to αἴρω (airō) `{{G142}}`, "to lift," or perhaps ἀήρ (aēr) `{{G109}}`, "air." This connection is evident in the English word "meteor," which refers to an object suspended or moving through the atmosphere.
Figuratively, and this is its primary use in the New Testament, μετεωρίζω denotes a state of being "suspended" emotionally or mentally. This translates to "to fluctuate," "to be anxious," "to be uncertain," or "to be of doubtful mind." The core idea is one of instability, wavering, or being tossed about by anxieties, much like an object without solid ground beneath it. It describes a restless, unsettled state of mind, lacking firm resolve or trust.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb μετεωρίζω appears only once in the New Testament, in [[Luke 12:29]]. In this passage, Jesus is instructing His disciples on the dangers of anxiety and the importance of trusting in God's provision. The full verse reads: "And do not seek what you will eat or what you will drink, nor be of doubtful mind." (ESV)
The context is crucial. Jesus has just spoken about the Father's care for the ravens and the lilies ([[Luke 12:24]], [[Luke 12:27]]), arguing that if God provides for creation, He will surely provide for His children. The command "nor be of doubtful mind" (μηδὲ μετεωρίζεσθε) stands in direct opposition to the preceding exhortations against worry (μεριμνάω `{{G3309}}` in [[Luke 12:22]], [[Luke 12:25]], [[Luke 12:26]]). While μεριμνάω focuses on the act of worrying, μετεωρίζω describes the *state* of being unsettled or tossed about by such worries. It paints a picture of a mind that is not anchored in faith but is rather fluctuating between hope and fear, trust and anxiety, much like a ship adrift without a rudder or an object suspended precariously in the air. This single occurrence powerfully conveys the spiritual instability that results from a lack of unwavering trust in God's sovereign care.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding μετεωρίζω includes several key concepts and related Greek terms:
* **Anxiety and Worry:** The most direct conceptual link is to μεριμνάω (merimnaō) `{{G3309}}`, meaning "to be anxious" or "to worry." Jesus' use of both terms in [[Luke 12]] highlights a progression from the act of worrying to the resultant state of a "doubtful mind."
* **Doubt and Instability:** Other words conveying doubt or instability include διστάζω (distazō) `{{G1365}}`, "to doubt" (as in [[Matthew 14:31]]), and διακρίνω (diakrinō) `{{G1252}}`, "to waver" or "to doubt" (as in [[James 1:6]]). While μετεωρίζω uniquely emphasizes the "suspended" or "unmoored" aspect, it shares the core idea of an unsettled mind lacking firm conviction.
* **Trust and Faith:** The antithesis of μετεωρίζω is steadfast faith and unwavering trust in God. Concepts such as πίστις (pistis) `{{G4102}}`, "faith," and πεποίθησις (pepoithēsis) `{{G4006}}`, "confidence" or "trust," stand in direct contrast to the wavering state described by μετεωρίζω.
* **Divine Provision:** The broader theological context of [[Luke 12]] is God's faithful provision (προνοέω `{{G4306}}`). To be μετεωρίζω is to question or disbelieve this fundamental truth about God's character.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of μετεωρίζω in [[Luke 12:29]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark warning against a spiritual condition that is fundamentally antithetical to the life of faith.
1. **Challenge to Trust in Providence:** The command not to be "of doubtful mind" directly challenges the human tendency to rely on self-effort and worry about material needs rather than trusting in God's benevolent provision. It implies that such a state of anxiety is a failure to grasp the Father's care.
2. **Impediment to Kingdom Living:** Jesus connects this state of mind to the "nations of the world" ([[Luke 12:30]]) who pursue these things. For believers, being "of doubtful mind" hinders their ability to "seek His kingdom" ([[Luke 12:31]]) with single-minded devotion. A mind preoccupied with earthly anxieties cannot fully embrace heavenly priorities.
3. **Call to Inner Stability:** The term highlights that true spiritual stability comes not from external circumstances but from an internal anchoring in God's faithfulness. To be μετεωρίζω is to lack this inner peace and certainty that flows from a deep relationship with God.
4. **Nature of Discipleship:** Jesus' teaching here defines a crucial aspect of discipleship: a radical dependence on God that frees one from the anxieties that plague the unregenerate world. It is a call to a life characterized by confident expectation rather than fluctuating doubt.
### Summary
μετεωρίζω (meteōrízō) `{{G3349}}` literally means "to raise in mid-air" or "to suspend," but its singular New Testament usage in [[Luke 12:29]] employs its figurative sense: "to be of doubtful mind," "to fluctuate," or "to be anxious." This powerful term describes a state of spiritual and emotional instability, akin to being unmoored or adrift, resulting from a lack of steadfast trust in God's provision. In the context of Jesus' teaching on worry and divine care, μετεωρίζω stands as a direct injunction against allowing worldly anxieties to cause one's faith to waver. It underscores the theological truth that true peace and the ability to pursue God's kingdom come from an unwavering reliance on the Father's benevolent hand, rather than from a mind tossed about by doubt and fear.
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