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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)Gfg Amiat. MS. of Vulg. But Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, B (judging from silence) Memph. and later Syr. Ed.-ED.