### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma νήθω (nḗthō), Strong's G3514, carries the fundamental and concrete meaning "to spin." This verb refers specifically to the ancient domestic craft of twisting fibers, such as wool or flax, into thread or yarn, a necessary preparatory step for weaving cloth. Its semantic range is quite narrow, being almost exclusively confined to this literal act of preparing fibers. Unlike some verbs that develop extensive metaphorical applications, νήθω remains rooted in its tangible, practical sense, signifying a form of purposeful human labor directed towards the production of textiles.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb νήθω appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in the Synoptic Gospels, within Jesus' teaching on anxiety and divine provision.
* In [[Matthew 6:28]], Jesus asks, "And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil (κοπιῶσιν `{{G2872}}`) nor spin (νήθουσιν)."
* Similarly, in [[Luke 12:27]], He states, "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil (κοπιῶσιν `{{G2872}}`) nor spin (νήθουσιν); yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
In both contexts, νήθω is presented in parallel with κοπιάω (kopiaō, `{{G2872}}`), meaning "to toil" or "to labor." This pairing emphasizes the human effort involved in securing basic necessities like clothing. The lilies of the field serve as a powerful counter-example: they engage in no such laborious preparation or manufacturing, yet they are clothed by God with a splendor that surpasses even the magnificent attire of King Solomon. The inclusion of "spin" specifically highlights the intricate, time-consuming process of garment production, contrasting it sharply with the effortless, natural beauty bestowed by divine providence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "spinning" is inherently linked to the broader sphere of human labor, craftsmanship, and the provision of basic needs.
* **Labor and Toil:** The most direct conceptual link is with κοπιάω (kopiaō, `{{G2872}}`), "to toil," as they are consistently paired. Other related terms for work include ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai, `{{G2038}}`), "to work."
* **Clothing and Adornment:** The ultimate purpose of spinning is the creation of clothing. Related terms include ἔνδυμα (endyma, `{{G1742}}`), "clothing," and στολή (stolē, `{{G4749}}`), "robe." The lilies (κρίνον, krinon, `{{G2947}}`) are the direct counterpoint, representing effortless beauty and divine adornment.
* **Anxiety and Trust:** The context of Jesus' teaching directly addresses μεριμνάω (merimnaō, `{{G3309}}`), "to be anxious" or "to worry." The absence of "toiling and spinning" in the lilies points to the alternative of trust (πίστις, pistis, `{{G4102}}`) in God's provision.
* **Divine Provision:** The overarching theme is God's care and provision, contrasting human self-sufficiency with divine sustenance. This relates to concepts of creation, sustenance, and the Father's knowledge of His children's needs.
### Theological Significance
While νήθω itself describes a mundane, domestic activity, its theological significance is profound due to its strategic placement within Jesus' Sermon on the Mount/Plain. It serves as a potent symbol within a larger argument for radical trust in God's providential care.
1. **Critique of Anxious Self-Reliance:** By contrasting human "toil and spin" with the lilies' effortless beauty, Jesus challenges the human tendency to worry excessively about material needs. The act of spinning represents the epitome of human effort to secure one's own well-being, yet even this diligent labor is shown to be inferior to God's natural provision.
2. **Illustration of God's Meticulous Care:** The lilies, which neither toil nor spin, are clothed more splendidly than Solomon. This highlights God's intricate and abundant care for even the most transient parts of His creation. If God so cares for the flowers of the field, how much more will He care for His human children?
3. **Call to Kingdom Priorities:** The teaching encourages disciples to reorient their priorities away from anxious accumulation of earthly goods and towards seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness ([[Matthew 6:33]]). The absence of "spinning" in the lilies' existence becomes a metaphor for freedom from the burden of worldly anxieties when one trusts in God.
4. **Sufficiency of Divine Grace:** The passage implicitly teaches that God's grace is sufficient to provide for all needs, often in ways that surpass human capacity or expectation. The lilies' adornment is not earned through labor but is a gift of God's creative power and benevolent will.
### Summary
The Greek word νήθω (nḗthō, G3514), meaning "to spin," is a simple yet powerfully employed term in the New Testament. Appearing only twice in the Gospels, it describes the ancient craft of preparing thread for weaving. Its theological weight is derived entirely from its context in Jesus' teaching on anxiety and divine provision. Paired with "toil," "spinning" represents the diligent human effort to secure material needs, particularly clothing. By contrasting this labor with the effortless beauty of the lilies, which "neither toil nor spin," Jesus profoundly underscores God's meticulous and abundant care for creation. This serves as a radical call to relinquish anxious self-reliance and embrace a posture of trust in God's unfailing providence, thereby reorienting disciples towards the priorities of His Kingdom.
TRV