Philippians 2:21

2:19-30 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.

Php 2:21 . Οι πάντες , they all [ the whole mass of men]) If at that time, so distinguished as it was, Paul quite approved of only one out of, as it were, his own band (ch. Php 1:14 ; Php 1:17 ), speaking of those who were then present, ch. Php 4:21 , and that too writing at such a distance to the church of the Philippians, how many do we suppose in our times approve themselves unto God? [ This fact may be put to the test, when a man ought to have given his assistance to a laudable undertaking, either near or at a distance, which either he has not under his charge, or which he does not perceive will be of advantage to him , Jdg 5:23 ; Jdg 8:6 . Nay, even it sometimes happens, that he who possesses some extraordinary gift or endowment, if in any way he has found an opportunity of refusing the benefit of it to others, derives much self-gratification from this very fact. O Christians, unworthy of the name! —V. g.] It was a very nice αἴσθησις , sense , by which Paul perceived this.— τὰ ἑαυτῶν , their own ) Php 2:4 . O how many are godly on their own account! although they are not enemies , Php 3:18 .— ζητοῦσι , seek ) A godly intimation may be given to godly hearers as to the character of these or those ministers.— οὐ τὰ [24] ΧΡΙΣΤΟῦ ἸΗΣΟῦ , not the things which are Jesus Christ’s ) They experience this, who from their heart seek to promote the common edification. They find few to assist them, Jdg 5:17 ; Jdg 5:23 ; Jdg 8:6 ; Jdg 8:8 .

They are abandoned, when there is no obligation close in view, no hope of reward or fame. When the advantage of the kingdom of Christ is consulted by most persons, it is generally done in the way of a safe or secure expediency.[25] When some sacrifice must be made, the man does not fight, but flees, and excuses himself with the hope of fighting at another time. [24] The marg. of both Ed., and also the Germ. Vers., give their decision in favour of the reading Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ in this passage.—E. B. [25] i.e . Where consulting Christ’s advantage is consistent with consulting their own, so as to be free from hurt or loss: “per modum innoxiæ utilitatis.”—ED Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ is the reading of ACD( Δ )G fg Amiat. MS. of Vulg. But Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ , B (judging from silence) Memph. and later Syr. Ed.—ED.

All (οἰ πάντες) The all; that is, one and all. The expression, however, must have limitations, since it cannot include those spoken of in Philippians 1:14, Philippians 1:17. It probably means, all except Timothy, that he has at his disposal of those who would naturally be selected for such an office.

Verse 21. - For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's . All of them , he says ( οἱ πάντες ); Timothy is the one exception. He calls those about him brethren in Philippians 4:21 ; but, it seems, they were like St. Paul, not willing to spend and to be spent for the salvation of souls. It was a great sacrifice in one who so yearned for Christian sympathy to submit to the absence of the one true loving friend. St. Paul's spiritual isolation increases our wonder and admiration for the strain of holy joy which runs through this Epistle. Philippians 2:21

21. Translate as Greek, "They all" (namely, who are now with me, Php 1:14, 17; Php 4:21: such Demas, then with him, proved to be, Col 4:14; compare 2Ti 4:10; Phm 24). seek their own—opposed to Paul's precept (Php 2:4; 1Co 10:24, 33; 13:5). This is spoken, by comparison with Timothy; for Php 1:16, 17 implies that some of those with Paul at Rome were genuine Christians, though not so self-sacrificing as Timothy. Few come to the help of the Lord's cause, where ease, fame, and gain have to be sacrificed. Most help only when Christ's gain is compatible with their own (Jud 5:17, 23).

(21) For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. —Compare our Lord’s words, “Ye shall be scattered every man to his own (things), and shall leave Me alone” ( John 16:32 ). St. Paul’s declaration is startling; for he had certainly some “brethren with him” ( Philippians 4:21 ). But the scanty notice of them in the close of this Epistle contrasts strongly with the detailed and affectionate mention of his companions by name in Colossians 4:7-14 ; Philemon 1:23-24 . It would seem as if at this time he was either separated accidentally from his most trusty disciples, or that there had been a temporary falling away from him, in some degree like that which he describes with so much sadness in 2Timothy 4:9-10 ; 2Timothy 4:16 . His words need not be taken as accusing all of absolute selfishness and unfaithfulness, but they are nevertheless startling enough.

Php 2:21 . οἱ πάντες … ζητ . This verse has roused surprise. Where were all Paul’s faithful brethren in the Lord? Has he no one but Timothy to fall back upon? It must be borne in mind that we have to do with a simple letter, not a treatise, or history of Paul’s work. The Apostle speaks in an outburst of strong feeling, for he is a man of quick impulses. He does not for a moment mean that he has no genuine Christian brethren in his company. But he had found, in all probability, that when he proposed to some of his companions, good Christian men, that they should visit far-distant Philippi, they all shrank, making various excuses. Timothy alone is willing, the one man he can least afford to spare. It is hard to part with him at such a critical time. No wonder that he should feel hurt by this want of inclination on the part of the other brethren to undertake an important Christian duty. No wonder that he should speak with severity of a disposition so completely opposed to his own. Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:33 , μὴ ζητῶν τὸ ἐμαυτοῦ σύμφορον ἀλλὰ τὸ τῶν πολλῶν . See esp[11] Calvin’s excellent note ad loc. — Χ . Ἰ . The authorities are almost equally balanced as to the readings. See on chap. Php 1:1 supr.[11] especially.

He doth here further commend Timothy, compared with the generality of those who with him did attend the ministry of the gospel at Rome, where it seems (whatever the papists pretend) Peter did not then preside as metropolitan. When he saith all, he doth not necessarily imply every individual besides Timothy, (though, as before, he knew not one like-minded as he was), but almost all, (as the universal sign is elsewhere synecdochically taken, Jeremiah 6:3 Matthew 10:22 Mark 1:5 ), or the most part of those then employed in the ministry, who were then at liberty, and whose inclinations, probably, he had inquired into. Seek their own; did, though not simply and absolutely, yet after a sort, seek their own profit, ease, safety, pleasure, and satisfaction; called their own, in regard of their civil right, and the world’s opinion, but yet at God’s disposal, Haggai 2:8 . These they did (as John Mark in another case) prefer to a long and tedious journey, for the service of Christ, unto Philippi. Not the things which are Jesus Christ’s; so that they did postpone the glory of Christ, the safety and edification of the church there, to their own things.

Wherefore he doth not mean it absolutely, that they did not seek the things of Christ, or that they did deny Christ, for it is apparent, even when he penned this Epistle, Philippians 1:13,14 , with Acts 28:14,15 , and Romans 1:8 , there were many that did seriously seek Christ; but comparatively, and in a sort, they did not seek the things of Christ so intently as they should, 1 Corinthians 10:24,33 , but failed as others did in other cases, Matthew 26:58 2 Timothy 4:16 : not as if all minding of their own things were denied to Christ’s ministers, 1 Timothy 3:4,5 5:8 ; but they did slip their necks from under the yoke, and did not mind the glory of Christ in the church of Philippi, as he did.

21 . all ] The Greek would be more exactly represented by they all , or all of them; all of a definite group in question. This is a severe censure on the persons really indicated. St Paul must have suffered grave disappointments where he had a special right to expect ready help. Demas ( 2 Timothy 4:10 ) had his precursors; indeed he may have been included in this censure, for he was at Rome about this time ( Colossians 4:14 ; Philemon 1:24 ). But we must not assume that St Paul here (or even 2 Timothy 4:10 ) excommunicates, so to speak, those whom he refers to; the true disciple may have his weak, because faithless and selfish, hour. See Acts 13:13 , with Acts 15:38 , and contrast 2 Timothy 4:11 . And again common sense bids us interpret the “they all ” with a reserve. He must mean not “all the Christians around me,” but “all the possible Christian messengers around me.” “The saints of Cæsar’s household” ( Php 4:22 ), for example, could not be in question; nor was Epaphroditus ( Php 2:25 , &c). seek their own] things , literally; their own ease or safety; perhaps their own preferences in toil and duty. See 1 Corinthians 13:5 for the opposite choice as the choice of holy Charity. the things which are Jesus Christ’s ] The interests of His disciples laid upon them by His Apostle.