Philippians 2:21

For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.

World English Bible

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Other translations

WEBBE

For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.

BSB

For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

KJV

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

ASV

For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.

BBE

For they all go after what is theirs, not after the things of Christ.

Original Greek

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οἱ hoi Those G3588 πάντες pantes all G3956 γὰρ gar for G1063 τὰ ta the [things] G3588 ἑαυτῶν he'autōn their own G1438 ζητοῦσιν zētousin are seeking G2212 οὐ ou not G3756 τὰ ta the [things] G3588 τοῦ tou (the) G3588 Ἰησοῦ Iēsou Jesus G2424 Χριστοῦ Christou of Christ G5547

The early church

"For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ," their own comfort, their own safety. This too he writes to Timothy. But why doth he lament such things as these? To teach us his hearers not to fall in like sort, to teach his hearers not to seek for remission from toil; for he who seeks remission from toil, seeks not the things that are Christ's, but his own. We ought to be prepared against every toil, against every distress.

John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Philippians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 19–30

It is best with us, when our duty becomes natural to us. Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only; with a willing heart and upright views. We are apt to prefer our own credit, ease, and safety, before truth, holiness, and duty; but Timothy did not so. Paul desired liberty, not that he might take pleasure, but that he might do good. Epaphroditus was willing to go to the Philippians, that he might be comforted with those who had sorrowed for him when he was sick. It seems, his illness was caused by the work of God. The apostle urges them to love him the more on that account. It is doubly pleasant to have our mercies restored by God, after great danger of their removal; and this should make them more valued. What is given in answer to prayer, should be received with great thankfulness and joy.

Read Matthew Henry on Philippians 2 →

Cross-references

People & places

Jesus

Topics

Selfishness

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.