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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/philippians/2-20.htm" title="Philippians 2:20">◄</a> Philippians 2:21 <a href="/philippians/2-22.htm" title="Philippians 2:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/philippians/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/philippians/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/philippians/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/philippians/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/philippians/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/philippians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For those all are seeking the things of themselves, not the things of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/philippians/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/philippians/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/philippians/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For they all seek after their own <i>interests,</i> not those of Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/philippians/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/philippians/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/philippians/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/philippians/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For the others [who deserted me after my arrest] all seek [to advance] their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/philippians/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/philippians/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/philippians/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/philippians/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The others think only about what interests them and not about what concerns Christ Jesus. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/philippians/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/philippians/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Everyone else looks after his own interests, not after those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/philippians/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Everyone else is concerned only with their own affairs, not with the cause of Jesus Christ. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/philippians/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For all the others look after their own interests, not after those of Jesus the Messiah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/philippians/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/philippians/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Others are busy with their own concerns, not those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/philippians/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/philippians/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/philippians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Everybody concerns himself about his own interests, not about those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/philippians/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/philippians/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for the whole seek their own things, not the things of Christ Jesus,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/philippians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For those all are seeking the things of themselves, not the things of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/philippians/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for the whole seek their own things, not the things of the Christ Jesus,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/philippians/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For they all seek the things of themselves, and not the things of Christ Jesus.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/philippians/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For all seek the things that are their own; not the things that are Jesus Christ's. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/philippians/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For they all seek the things that are of themselves, not the things that are of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/philippians/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/philippians/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/philippians/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/philippians/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For they are all seeking what is their own and not what is of Yeshua The Messiah.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/philippians/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />for all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/philippians/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />for all are seeking after their own, and not the things of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/philippians/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For all seek their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/philippians/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />the most consult their private advantage, and neglect the dispensation of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/philippians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Everybody concerns himself about his own interests, not about those of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/philippians/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />for all are seeking their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/philippians/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />For all seek their own <i>interests,</i> not those of Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/philippians/2-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mXomUhcrPbg?start=434" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/philippians/2.htm">Timothy and Epaphroditus</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>I have nobody else like him who will genuinely care for your needs. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantes (Adj-NMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the others</a> <a href="/greek/2212.htm" title="2212: zētousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.">look after</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heautōn (RefPro-GM3P) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">their own</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">interests,</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">not</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">those</a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsou (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">of Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christou (N-GMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">22</span>But you know Timothy’s proven worth, that as a child with his father he has served with me to advance the gospel.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-2.htm">2 Timothy 3:2</a></span><br />For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-10.htm">2 Timothy 4:10</a></span><br />because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-24.htm">1 Corinthians 10:24</a></span><br />No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-5.htm">1 Corinthians 13:5</a></span><br />It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-1.htm">Romans 15:1-3</a></span><br />We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. / Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. / For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-15.htm">2 Corinthians 5:15</a></span><br />And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a></span><br />But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Matthew 16:24-26</a></span><br />Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. / What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23-25</a></span><br />Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. / What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-24.htm">Galatians 5:24</a></span><br />Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-16.htm">James 3:16</a></span><br />For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15-17</a></span><br />Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a></span><br />There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-1.htm">Proverbs 18:1</a></span><br />He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm">Isaiah 56:11</a></span><br />Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.</p><p class="hdg">all.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/philippians/2-4.htm">Philippians 2:4</a></b></br> Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm">Isaiah 56:11</a></b></br> Yea, <i>they are</i> greedy dogs <i>which</i> can never have enough, and they <i>are</i> shepherds <i>that</i> cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/1-10.htm">Malachi 1:10</a></b></br> Who <i>is there</i> even among you that would shut the doors <i>for nought</i>? neither do ye kindle <i>fire</i> on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.</p><p class="hdg">the.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/philippians/1-20.htm">Philippians 1:20,21</a></b></br> According to my earnest expectation and <i>my</i> hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but <i>that</i> with all boldness, as always, <i>so</i> now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether <i>it be</i> by life, or by death… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/1-5.htm">2 Corinthians 1:5</a></b></br> For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/5-14.htm">2 Corinthians 5:14,15</a></b></br> For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/philippians/2-16.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/philippians/1-29.htm">Christ's</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-21.htm">Concerns</a> <a href="/philippians/2-4.htm">Interests</a> <a href="/philippians/2-19.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/12-45.htm">Looks</a> <a href="/galatians/4-17.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-9.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/philippians/1-13.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/philippians/2-30.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/philippians/2-30.htm">Christ's</a> <a href="/colossians/4-7.htm">Concerns</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-1.htm">Interests</a> <a href="/philippians/3-3.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/james/1-24.htm">Looks</a> <a href="/philippians/4-17.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-19.htm">Theirs</a> <a href="/colossians/1-6.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Philippians 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/philippians/2-1.htm">Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ's humility;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/philippians/2-12.htm">to a careful proceeding in the way of salvation, that they be as lights to a wicked world,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/philippians/2-16.htm">and comforts to him their apostle, who is now ready to be offered up to God.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/philippians/2-19.htm">He hopes to send Timothy to them, and Epaphroditus also.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/philippians/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/philippians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/philippians/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For all the others</b><br>This phrase indicates a general observation about the behavior of people around Paul. It suggests a contrast between the majority and a minority who are faithful. In the context of Philippians, Paul is writing from prison, and he is highlighting the scarcity of those who are genuinely committed to the work of the Gospel. This reflects a common theme in Paul's letters, where he often distinguishes between true believers and those who are not fully committed (e.g., <a href="/2_timothy/4-10.htm">2 Timothy 4:10</a>).<p><b>look after their own interests</b><br>This phrase points to a self-centered attitude, which is contrary to the teachings of Christ. In the Greco-Roman world, self-interest was often seen as a virtue, but Paul challenges this cultural norm by promoting selflessness. This echoes the earlier verses in <a href="/philippians/2.htm">Philippians 2</a>, where Paul encourages believers to have the same mindset as Christ, who humbled Himself and became obedient to death. The call to look beyond personal gain is a recurring theme in Paul's writings (e.g., <a href="/1_corinthians/10-24.htm">1 Corinthians 10:24</a>).<p><b>not those of Jesus Christ</b><br>Here, Paul contrasts self-interest with the interests of Jesus Christ, which involve serving others and advancing the Gospel. This phrase underscores the call to discipleship, where believers are to prioritize the mission and values of Christ above their own desires. The interests of Jesus Christ are aligned with the will of God, as seen in Christ's own life and ministry, which focused on redemption and reconciliation. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a>, where He instructs His followers to seek first the kingdom of God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Philippians, writing from prison to encourage and instruct the church in Philippi.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philippi.htm">Philippi</a></b><br>A Roman colony in Macedonia, where Paul established a church during his second missionary journey.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/timothy.htm">Timothy</a></b><br>Mentioned in the surrounding verses as a faithful servant who genuinely cares for the welfare of the Philippians, contrasting with those who seek their own interests.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>Central figure of the Christian faith, whose interests and mission are to be prioritized by believers.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_philippian_church.htm">The Philippian Church</a></b><br>The recipients of Paul's letter, known for their generosity and partnership in the gospel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/selflessness_in_service.htm">Selflessness in Service</a></b><br>Believers are called to prioritize the interests of Jesus Christ over their own. This requires a heart of humility and a willingness to serve others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contrast_with_worldly_values.htm">Contrast with Worldly Values</a></b><br>The world often promotes self-interest and personal gain. Christians are to stand apart by seeking the welfare of others and the advancement of Christ's mission.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_models_in_faith.htm">Role Models in Faith</a></b><br>Timothy serves as an example of someone who genuinely cares for the interests of Jesus Christ. Believers should seek to emulate such role models in their own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/examination_of_motives.htm">Examination of Motives</a></b><br>Regularly assess whether your actions and decisions are driven by personal gain or by a desire to honor Christ and serve His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>Engage with fellow believers to encourage one another in prioritizing Christ's interests, fostering a community that reflects His love and mission.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_philippians_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Philippians 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_you_prioritize_others_today.htm">How can you put others before yourself today?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_gained_by_chasing_the_wind.htm">How should one practice submission according to the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_kenosis_in_christianity.htm">What does kenosis mean in Christian theology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_was_nehemiah_written.htm">What does it mean Jesus became sin for us?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/philippians/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.</span>--Compare our Lord's words, "Ye shall be scattered every man to his own (things), and shall leave Me alone" (<a href="/john/16-32.htm" title="Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.">John 16:32</a>). St. Paul's declaration is startling; for he had certainly some "brethren with him" (<a href="/philippians/4-21.htm" title="Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers which are with me greet you.">Philippians 4:21</a>). 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 <a href="/context/colossians/4-7.htm" title=" All my state shall Tychicus declare to you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord:">Colossians 4:7-14</a>; <a href="/context/philemon/1-23.htm" title="There salute you Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus;">Philemon 1:23-24</a>. 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 <a href="/context/2_timothy/4-9.htm" title="Do your diligence to come shortly to me:">2Timothy 4:9-10</a>; <a href="/2_timothy/4-16.htm" title="At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.">2Timothy 4:16</a>. His words need not be taken as accusing all of absolute selfishness and unfaithfulness, but they are nevertheless startling enough. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/philippians/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's</span>. <span class="accented">All of them</span>, he says (<span class="greek">οἱ πάντες</span>); Timothy is the one exception. He calls those about him brethren in <a href="/philippians/4-21.htm">Philippians 4:21</a>; 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/philippians/2-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="grk">πάντες</span> <span class="translit">(pantes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the others</span><br /><span class="grk">οἱ</span> <span class="translit">(hoi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">look after</span><br /><span class="grk">ζητοῦσιν</span> <span class="translit">(zētousin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2212.htm">Strong's 2212: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their own</span><br /><span class="grk">ἑαυτῶν</span> <span class="translit">(heautōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> </span><span class="str2">Himself, herself, itself. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">interests,</span><br /><span class="grk">τὰ</span> <span class="translit">(ta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐ</span> <span class="translit">(ou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those</span><br /><span class="grk">τὰ</span> <span class="translit">(ta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Jesus</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰησοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(Iēsou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Christ.</span><br /><span class="grk">Χριστοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(Christou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> </span><span class="str2">Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/philippians/2-21.htm">Philippians 2:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/philippians/2-21.htm">NT Letters: Philippians 2:21 For they all seek their own not (Philipp. Phil. Php.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/philippians/2-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Philippians 2:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Philippians 2:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/philippians/2-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Philippians 2:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Philippians 2:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>