1. "cares of the world" — concerns, worries, anxieties ("anxieties of the age" "worries of the times") They could all be neutral or good. Concern for our health, our reputation, our property, concern for education, concern to be liked, concern to have enough food or money, worries about our loved ones, anxiety about tomorrow, etc. concern for one's retirement, concern to get ahead in our career, concern to get a house, a spouse, one's children, one's welfare, that next phase in life, etc. JFB: "unrelaxing attention to the business of this present life"
2. "the deceitfulness of riches" — wealth or riches are not sinful in themselves. The love of money is the root of all evil. This is something that can trip us all up. We all want more money, more wealth, more riches, etc. Wanting it per se does not necessarily lead to sin, lead to choking the word. But that wanting can turn to craving and it can deceive us in our pursuit.
3. "desires for other things" — It may not be riches for this person but he desires something else. A car, a house, an ideal cabin, that perfect room in the house, or simply more stuff from Amazon or Walmart, etc.
These may be "innocent" things and wanting them may not be wrong but whatever the other things are — they choke God's Word in his life. No attention to God's word but whatever it is, it has taken up your attention, affections, and aspirations. |
