After a series of verses about "self."
Luke 12:26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
Luke 12:26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Since, in fact, you do not at all not have a smallest power by yourselves, why worry about the future?
The future self is not something to worry about but to work on.
The Greek is more straightforward than the English translation though convoluted because Greek word order make it hard to read in English.
The Greek word translated as "then" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly", "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative ("then), but emphasis is useful here.
The word translated as "ye be...able/can" means to have the power in yourself. With the adjective "least," the sense is "have the least power." The biblical translations add a lot of words to make their translations work. See this article.
"The rest" is from an uncommon word that means "remaining over," "the rest," and, of Time, "the future", "henceforward." Translating it as "future" makes this verse a little clear.
If(CW) ye then be not(CW) able [to do that thing which is(IP)] least, why take ye thought for the rest?
- CW --Confusing Word -- This word doesn't mean "if" with this form of verb.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "not."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "to do that thing which is" doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 3 translation issues, not 1.
Since you can(CW,WV) not(CW) [do this(IP-2) [very little (CW)] thing why do you worry about the rest?
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "can" is not a helper verb, but the active verb in the sentence.
- WV --Wrong Voice - The verb "can" is translated as active but it is passive either the passive or middle voice where the subject acts on/by/for themselves.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "not."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "do this" doesn't exist in the source. This is counted as 2 translation issues, not 1.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "very little" doesn't precisely mean "very little."
If -- (CW) "if" here is used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether."It also means "if ever" and "whenever." When used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact the sense is more "whether," "since" or "as sure as." The verb is not subjunctive, which means it is citing a fact. This word doesn't mean "if" with this form of verb.
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
then -- The Greek word translated as "then" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." Jesus uses it to respond positively to questions, but in parables, it can continue the story.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
not -- The Greek word for "not" is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions. This is not one of the common words usually translated as "not."
able - (CW) The word translated as "able" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English. See this article.
to do that thing which is -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
least, -- The word translated as "least" also means "smallest", "the shortest", "the fewest", and similar ideas.
why -- The Greek word translated as "any" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."
take -"Take thought" is translated from a Greek word that means "to be anxious about," "to care for," and "to meditate upon." Jesus uses it the way we use "worry" in English.
ye -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
thought - This completes the meaning of the verb.
for - - The Greek word translated as "for" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." "For" is usually applied to a struggle.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
rest? -- "Rest" is from an uncommon word that means "remaining over," "the rest," and, of Time, "the future," "henceforward."
Since-- The "if" here is used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether."It also means "if ever" and "whenever." When used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact, as it does here, the sense is more "whether," "since" or "as sure as."
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
then -- The Greek word translated as "then" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." Jesus uses it to respond positively to questions, but in parables, it can continue the story.
can -- (CW, WV) The word translated as "can" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. Often, in English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. In Greek, it indicates ability or power. This is the active verb here, not a helper verb. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English. See this article. The verb here is translated as active but it is either the passive or middle voice where the subject acts on/by/for themselves.
not -- The Greek word for "not" is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions. This is not one of the common words usually translated as "not."
can - (CW) The word translated as "able" means having the power or possibly a desire to accomplish something. It takes an infinitive as "have the ability" does in English. See this article. In English, "can" is a helper verb, indicating a possibility. See this article.
do this -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
very little , -- (CW) The word translated as "very little " means "smallest", "the shortest", "the fewest", and similar ideas. This word doesn't precisely mean "very little."
thing - There is no word, "thing," in the Greek source, but this word comes from the neuter form of the previous adjective.
why -- The Greek word translated as "any" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
you -- This is from the second-person, plural form of the verb.
worry -"Worry" is translated from a Greek word that means "to be anxious about," "to care for," and "to meditate upon." Jesus uses it the way we use "worry" in English.
about - - The Greek word translated as "for" means "around" when referring to a place, but in referring to a subject, it means "about," "concerning," "on account of," and "in regard to." "For" is usually applied to a struggle.
the-- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. "
rest? -- "Rest" is from an uncommon word that means "remaining over," "the rest," and, of Time, "the future," "henceforward."
εἰ [90 verses](conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (with the indicative, implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever." In citing a fact, it can mean "as sure as" or "since." It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions. When appearing as εἰ δὲ (literally, "if however") the sense is "if this...then that." The construction εἰ δὲ μή . . means "otherwise." The construction εἰ οὖν has the sense of "if so." However, it is also used to express a wish. After verbs of wonder, delight, indignation, disappointment, contentment, and similar emotions, it is use instead of ὅτι, to express the object of the feeling in a hypothetical form, "that" with the indicative (not subjunctive). With the future tense, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention. When this word is paired with the conjunction translated as "but" or "however," the structure works like an "if then" statement in English. With verbs of desire and emotion and the indicative in the second clause, the sense is "that." With an imperative, it is used to express a wish. The sense is "I wish that." With the future tense indicative, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention. The emphasis clause is after the main statement.
οὖν [82 verses](adv) "Then" is oun, which means "certainly," "in fact," "really," "in fact," "so" and "then" (continuing a narrative), and "then" and "therefore."
οὐδὲ [51 verses](partic) "Neither" is oude, which, as a conjunction, means "but not," "neither," and "nor." As an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however."
ἐλάχιστον [5 verses] (adj sg neut acc irreg_superl) "Least" is from elachistos, which is the superlative form of elachus which means "small", "little," and "short." It means "the smallest", "the shortest", "the least," and "the fewest."
δύνασθε, [61 verses] (verb 2nd pl pres ind mp) "Ye be...able" is the verb, dynamai, which means "to have power by virtue of your own capabilities," "to be able," and "to be strong enough." -
τί [252 verses] (pron sg neut acc ) "Why"is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." Plural, "who are" is τίνες ἐόντες. It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; to what point? to what end?
περὶ [73 verses](prep) "For" is peri, which means "round about (Place)," "around," "about," "concerning," "on account of," "in regard to," "before," "above," "beyond," and "all around." With the genitive, "round about" of place, "for" or "about" something," with verbs of knowing, "about" and "concerning," "before or "beyond," of superiority With the dative, "round about" of clothes, "around" in holding, "for" or "about" a struggle, "on account of" and "by reason of" a cause. With the accusative, "around" in movement, caring and generally of relationships "about," "about" of time. As an adverb "around," "about," also, "near, by," and "exceedingly" in relationships.
τῶν [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
λοιπῶν [6 verses] (adj pl masc gen) "Rest" is loipos, which means "remaining over," "the remaining," "the rest, "descendants," of Time, "the future," "henceforward," "hereafter," and "the remaining."
μεριμνᾶτε; [6 verses] (verb 2nd pl pres ind act ) "Take ye thought" is merimnao , which means to "be anxious about,""care for," "meditate upon," "to be cumbered with many cares," and "to be treated with anxious care [passive]." There is an alternate spelling of this word listed separately, merimanao.