Philippians 2:21-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 2:19-30

Paul takes particular notice of two good ministers; for though he was himself a great apostle, and laboured more abundantly than they all, yet he took all occasions to speak with respect of those who were far his inferiors. I. He speaks of Timothy, whom he intended to send to the Philippians, that he might have an account of their state. See Paul's care of the churches, and the comfort he had in their well-doing. He was in pain when he had not heard of them for a good while, and therefore... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 2:19-24

2:19-24 I hope in the Lord Jesus soon to send Timothy to you, that I may find out how things are going with you and take heart. I have no one with a mind equal to his, for he is the kind of man who will genuinely care for your affairs; for all men are concerned with their own interests, and not with the interests of Jesus Christ. You know his tried and tested character, and you know that, as a child serves a father, so he has shared my service in the work of the gospel. So then, I hope to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 2:21

For all seek their own ,.... Meaning not every individual, but the greatest part; and not merely such as were manifestly false teachers, but such as were with the apostle, as ministers of the word; and we may suppose him to be stripped, by one means or another, of the more valuable preachers of the Gospel, and to be in much such a case as he describes himself to be, in 2 Timothy 4:10 . He had none with him, excepting a very few, but such as he speaks of in the preceding chapter, that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 2:22

But ye know the proof of him ,.... They had had an experiment of him, a trial of his spirit, and a proof of his gifts and ministry, when he was among them with the apostle at his first preaching the Gospel to them, to the conversion of Lydia, and of the jailer, and their households, which laid the foundation of a Gospel church state among them, see Acts 16:3 . The Vulgate Latin version reads in the imperative, "know ye the proof of him"; but the former reading is to be preferred: that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:21

For all seek their own - This must relate to the persons who preached Christ even of envy and strife, Phlippians 1:15 ; these must be very careless whether souls were saved or not by such preaching; and even those who preached the Gospel out of good will might not be fit for such an embassy as this, which required many sacrifices, and consequently much love and zeal to be able to make them. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:22

Ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me - The Philippians had full proof of the affectionate attachment of Timothy to Paul, for he had labored with him there, as we learn from Acts 16:1-3 ; Acts 17:14 ; and we find from what is said here that Timothy was not a servant to the apostle, but that he had served with him. They both labored together in the word and doctrine; for apostles and Christian bishops, in those times, labored as hard as their... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:21

Verse 21 21For all seek their own things. He does not speak of those who had openly abandoned the pursuit of piety, but of those very persons whom he reckoned brethren, nay, even those whom he admitted to familiar intercourse with him. These persons, he nevertheless says, were so warm in the pursuit of their own interests, that they were unbecomingly cold in the work of the Lord. It may seem at first view as if it were no great fault to seek one’s own profit; but how insufferable it is in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:22

Verse 22 22But the proof. It is literally, ye know the proof of him, unless you prefer to understand it in the imperative mood, know ye; (for there had scarcely been opportunity during that short time to make trial,) but this is not of great moment. What is chiefly to be noticed is, that he furnishes Timothy with an attestation of fidelity and modesty. In evidence of his fidelity, he declares, that he had served with him in the gospel, for such a connection was a token of true sincerity. In... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:19-23

The mission of Timothy. The apostle comforts the Philippians with the intimation that, if he cannot himself visit them, he will send them Timothy, who was already well known to them all. I. HIS OBJECT IN SENDING TIMOTHY . It was twofold. 1 . To comfort his own heart. "That I also may be of good heart, when I know your state." The apostle had a tender anxiety respecting the best beloved of all the Churches. 2 . To give them guidance for Timothy was one who would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:19-24

Timothy. I. Martyrdom may come soon; if it comes, the apostle will welcome it with joy; IF HE LIVES , HE WILL SEND TIMOTHY . 1 . He hopes to send Timothy almost immediately ; he trusts himself to come shortly. Observe, he hopes in the Lord , and He trusts in the Lord. "Behold how he refers all things to the Lord," says St. Chrysostom. He submits his hopes and desires, even where the spiritual welfare of his converts seems to be concerned, wholly to the higher... read more

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