Two Friends Walk Hand in Hand Through a Town StreetBible World
2:21Philippians 2:21
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.
The second chapter of Philippians, together with the third, gives the best instruction for this time and must be read, studied, and thankfully obeyed, especially by leading brethren, leaving no excuse for walking contrary to God's will. It calls for being like-minded with the same love, of one accord and one mind, doing nothing through strife or vainglory, in lowliness esteeming others better than self, and looking not only on one's own things but also on the things of others. It calls for having the mind of Christ Jesus who humbled himself and became obedient unto death on the cross, obeying and working out salvation with fear and trembling as God works to will and do. It calls for doing all things without murmurings and disputings so as to be blameless and shine as lights by holding forth the word of life.
The verse exposes a selfish spirit that pursues personal interests rather than the interests that belong to Jesus Christ, failing to share his selfless concern for his work and for others. By fallen human nature people naturally seek their own rather than what belongs to Christ and the good of their neighbors. This self-seeking marks the unrenewed heart, where selfishness takes the place in the soul that belongs to Christ.
The things of Christ include advancing God's work, extending the truth, and caring for the welfare of others, so putting his interests first calls for self-denial, economy, and active concern for others. Seeking self instead of the things of Christ must be put away by a thorough change of character that gives the mind that dwelt in Jesus before God can acknowledge believers as his children. That change leads to right conduct in the church, keeping order in the church, correctly observing the Sabbath, and turning with hearty repentance and shame and confusion of face for an unrighteous course pursued toward brethren and sisters.
The verse applies to a minister who puts personal concerns before God's work by pursuing trade and gain, taking money he has not earned, and accepting help from poorer brethren without considering their needs, and such self-interest harms the cause. The verse applies to believers who spend their means on personal comfort, luxury, and fine clothes while leaving too little to support missions and bring souls to Jesus. The verse warns that selfishness can govern ministers who appear pious and serve in sacred work, and such false shepherds use the trust placed in them to lead people to ruin, so that when their corruption is exposed they damage confidence in religion and weaken the reception of God's word.
The second chapter of Philippians, together with the third, gives the best instruction for this time and must be read, studied, and thankfully obeyed, especially by leading brethren, leaving no excuse for walking contrary to God's will. It calls for being like-minded with the same love, of one accord and one mind, doing nothing through strife or vainglory, in lowliness esteeming others better than self, and looking not only on one's own things but also on the things of others. It calls for having the mind of Christ Jesus who humbled himself and became obedient unto death on the cross, obeying and working out salvation with fear and trembling as God works to will and do. It calls for doing all things without murmurings and disputings so as to be blameless and shine as lights by holding forth the word of life.
The verse exposes a selfish spirit that pursues personal interests rather than the interests that belong to Jesus Christ, failing to share his selfless concern for his work and for others. By fallen human nature people naturally seek their own rather than what belongs to Christ and the good of their neighbors. This self-seeking marks the unrenewed heart, where selfishness takes the place in the soul that belongs to Christ.
The things of Christ include advancing God's work, extending the truth, and caring for the welfare of others, so putting his interests first calls for self-denial, economy, and active concern for others. Seeking self instead of the things of Christ must be put away by a thorough change of character that gives the mind that dwelt in Jesus before God can acknowledge believers as his children. That change leads to right conduct in the church, keeping order in the church, correctly observing the Sabbath, and turning with hearty repentance and shame and confusion of face for an unrighteous course pursued toward brethren and sisters.
The verse applies to a minister who puts personal concerns before God's work by pursuing trade and gain, taking money he has not earned, and accepting help from poorer brethren without considering their needs, and such self-interest harms the cause. The verse applies to believers who spend their means on personal comfort, luxury, and fine clothes while leaving too little to support missions and bring souls to Jesus. The verse warns that selfishness can govern ministers who appear pious and serve in sacred work, and such false shepherds use the trust placed in them to lead people to ruin, so that when their corruption is exposed they damage confidence in religion and weaken the reception of God's word.