Philippians 2:20-21

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 2:20

For I have no man likeminded ,.... With myself; as my soul, so the Syriac version renders it. Timothy had a soul like the apostle's, which none that were with him, besides him, had; he was of the same judgment with him in the doctrines of grace; he received and preached the same Gospel as he did; he preached the same Christ, the Son of God, without yea and nay; he had the same affection for the apostle, and the souls of men, as he had; his soul was knit to his, and they had, as it were, but... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:20

For I have no man like-minded - None of all my fellow helpers in the Gospel have the same zeal and affectionate concern for your prosperity in every respect as he has. He is ισοψυχος· of the same soul; a man after my own heart. 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:20

Verse 20 20I have no man like-minded. While some draw another meaning from the passage, I interpret it thus: “I have no one equally well-affected for attending to your interests.” For Paul, in my opinion, compares Timothy with others, rather than with himself, and he pronounces this eulogium upon him, with the express design that he may be the more highly esteemed by them for his rare excellence. 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

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