the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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King James Version
Philippians 2:4
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- DailyParallel Translations
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Look out for others, not yourself.
Not looking everyone to his private good, but keeping in mind the things of others.
regarding not each his own [qualities], but each those of others also.
Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Look not every one at his own things, but every one also at the things of others.
each fixing his attention, not simply on his own interests, but on those of others also.
Looke not euery man on his owne things, but euery man also on the things of others.
each not looking at the things of themselves, but each also the things of others.
and let euery ma loke not for his awne profet, but for the profet of other.
let no man consult only his private interest, but let every man consult likewise the interest of others.
Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
and that no man consyder his awne but what is mete for other.
each of you not looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
each not to your own look ye, but each also to the things of others.
Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.
Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Care about them as much as you care about yourselves
look out for each other's interests and not just for your own.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Looke not euery man on his owne things, but euery man also on the things of other men.
Let no one be mindful only of his own things, but let every one be mindful of the things of his neighbor also.
each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Do not be concerned about your own interests, but also be concerned aboutbe concerned about">[fn] the interests of others.1 Corinthians 10:24,33; 13:5;">[xr]
And let no one care for himself (only), but every one for his neighbour also.
And let not each be solicitous [fn] for himself, but every one also for his neighbor.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
Do not always be thinking about your own plans only. Be happy to know what other people are doing.
not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
Not, to your own things, severally looking, but, to the things of others, severally: -
Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men’s.
each of you not looking out for your own interests, but also each of you for the interests of others.
Loke not euery man on his owne thynges, but euery man also on the thynges of others.
Don't be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own.
not biholdinge ech bi hym silf what thingis ben his owne, but tho thingis that ben of othere men.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Matthew 18:6, Romans 12:15, Romans 14:19-22, Romans 15:1, 1 Corinthians 8:9-13, 1 Corinthians 10:24, 1 Corinthians 10:32, 1 Corinthians 10:33, 1 Corinthians 12:22-26, 1 Corinthians 13:4, 1 Corinthians 13:5, 2 Corinthians 6:3, 2 Corinthians 11:29, James 2:8
Reciprocal: Numbers 32:6 - shall ye sit here Joshua 1:15 - Until 2 Kings 7:9 - this day Esther 2:22 - Mordecai's name Esther 4:5 - to know Matthew 20:28 - came Romans 15:2 - General Romans 15:5 - according to 1 Corinthians 11:1 - even Galatians 6:12 - as desire Philippians 2:21 - all 3 John 1:2 - that
Cross-References
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.
These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:
Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham:
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Look, not every man on his own things,.... Not but that a man should take care of his worldly affairs, and look well unto them, and provide things honest in the sight of all men, for himself and his family, otherwise he would be worse than an infidel; but he is not to seek his own private advantage, and prefer it to a public good; accordingly the Syriac version reads it, "neither let anyone be careful of himself, but also everyone of his neighbour"; and the Arabic version thus, "and let none of you look to that which conduces to himself alone, but let everyone of you look to those things which may conduce to his friend"; but this respects spiritual things, and spiritual gifts: a Christian should not seek his own honour and applause, and to have his own will, and a point in a church carried his own way, but should consult the honour of Christ, the good of others, and the peace of the church; he should not look upon his own gifts, he may look upon them, and ascribe them to the grace of God, and make use of them to his glory, but not to admire them, or himself for them, and pride himself in them, and lift up himself above others, neglecting and taking no notice of the superior abilities of others:
but every man also on the things of others; not on their worldly things, busying himself with other men's matters, and which he has nothing to do with, but on the sentiments and reasons of others; which he should well weigh and consider, and if they outdo and overbalance his own, should yield unto them; he should take notice of the superior gifts of others, and own and acknowledge them; which is the way to submit to one another in the fear of God, and to promote truth, friendship, and love.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Look not every man on his own things - That is, be not selfish. Do not let your care and attention be wholly absorbed by your own concerns, or by the concerns of your own family. Evince a tender interest for the happiness of the whole, and let the welfare of others lie near your hearts. This, of course, does not mean that there is to be any improper interference in the business of others, or that we are to have the character of âbusy-bodies in other peopleâs mattersâ (compare the 2 Thessalonians 3:11, note; 1 Timothy 5:13, note; 1 Peter 4:15, note); but that we are to regard with appropriate solicitude the welfare of others, and to strive to do them good.
But every man also on the things of others - It is the duty of every man to do this. No one is at liberty to live for himself or to disregard the wants of others. The object of this rule is to break up the narrow spirit of selfishness, and to produce a benevolent regard for the happiness of others. In respect to the rule we may observe:
(1) We are not to be âbusybodiesâ in the concerns of others; see the references above. We are not to attempt to pry into their secret purposes. Every man has his own plans, and thoughts, and intentions, which no other one has a right to look into. Nothing is more odious than a meddler in the concerns of others.
(2) We are not to obtrude our advice where it is not sought, or at unseasonable times and places, even if the advice is in itself good. No one likes to be interrupted to hear advice; and I have no right to require that he should suspend his business in order that I may give him counsel.
(3) We are not to find fault with what pertains exclusively to him. We are to remember that there are some things which are his business, not ours; and we are to learn to âpossess our souls in patience,â if he does not give just as much as we think be ought to benevolent objects, or if he dresses in a manner not to please our taste, or if he indulges in things which do not accord exactly with our views. He may see reasons for his conduct which we do not; and it is possible that be may be right, and that, if we understood the whole case, we should think and act as he does. We often complain of a man because be does not give as much as we think he ought, to objects of charity; and it is possible that he may be miserably niggardly and narrow. But it is also possible that he may be more embarrassed than we know of; or that he may just then have demands against him of which we are ignorant; or that he may have numerous poor relatives dependent on him; or that he gives much with âthe left handâ which is not known by âthe right hand.â At any rate, it is his business, not ours; and we are not qualified to judge until we understand the whole case.
(4) We are not to be gossips about the concerns of others. We are not to hunt up small stories, and petty scandals respecting their families; we are not to pry into domestic affairs, and divulge them abroad, and find pleasure in circulating snell things from house to house. There are domestic secrets, which are not to be betrayed; and there is scarcely an offence of a meaner or more injurious character than to divulge to the public what we have seen a family whose hospitality we have enjoyed.
(5) Where Christian duty and kindness require us to look into the concerns of others, there should be the utmost delicacy. Even children have their own secrets, and their own plans and amusements, on a small scale, quite as important to them as the greater games which we are playing in life; and they will feel the meddlesomeness of a busybody to be as odious to them as we should in our plans. A delicate parent, therefore, who has undoubtedly a right to know all about his children, will not rudely intrude into their privacies, or meddle with their concerns. So, when we visit the sick, while we show a tender sympathy for them, we should not be too particular in inquiring into their maladies or their feelings. So, when those with whom we sympathize have brought their calamities on themselves by their own fault, we should not ask too many questions about it. We should not too closely examine one who is made poor by intemperance, or who is in prison for crime. And so, when we go to sympathize with those who have been, by a reverse of circumstances, reduced from affluence to penury, we should not ask too many questions. We should let them tell their own story. If they voluntarily make us their confidants, and tell us all about their circumstances, it is well; but let us not drag out the circumstances, or wound their feelings by our impertinent inquiries, or our indiscreet sympathy in their affairs. There are always secrets which the sons and daughters of misfortune would wish to keep to themselves.
However, while these things are true, it is also true that the rule before us positively requires us to show an interest in the concerns of others; and it may be regarded as implying the following things:
(1) We are to feel that the spiritual interests of everyone in the church is, in a certain sense, our own interest. The church is one. It is confederated together for a common object. Each one is entrusted with a portion of the honor of the whole, and the conduct of one member affects the character of all. We are, therefore, to promote, in every way possible, the welfare of every other member of the church. If they go astray, we are to admonish and entreat them; if they are in error, we are to instruct them; if they are in trouble, we are to aid them. Every member of the church has a claim on the sympathy of his brethren, and should be certain of always finding it when his circumstances are such as to demand it.
(2) There are circumstances where it is proper to look with special interest on the temporal concerns of others. It is when the poor, the fatherless, and the afflicted must be sought out in order to be aided and relieved. They are too retiring and modest to press their situation on the attention of others, and they need that others should manifest a generous care in their welfare in order to relieve them. This is not improper interference in their concerns, nor will it be so regarded.
(3) For a similar reason, we should seek the welfare of all others in a spiritual sense. We should seek to arouse the sinner, and lead him to the Saviour. He is blind, and will not come himself; unconcerned, and will not seek salvation; filled with the love of this world, and will not seek a better; devoted to pursuits that will lead him to ruin, and he ought to be apprised of it. It is no more an improper interference in his concerns to apprise him of his condition, and to attempt to lead him to the Saviour, than it is to warn a man in a dark night, who walks on the verge of a precipice, of his peril; or to arouse one from sleep whose house is in flames. In like manner, it is no more meddling with the concerns of another to tell him that there is a glorious heaven which may be his, than it is to apprise a man that there is a mine of golden ore on his farm. It is for the manâs own interest, and it is the office of a friend to remind him of these things. He does a man a favor who tells him that he has a Redeemer, and that there is a heaven to which he may rise; he does his neighbor the greatest possible kindness who apprises him that there is a world of infinite woe, and tells him of an easy way by which he may escape it. The world around is dependant on the church of Christ to be apprised of these truths. The frivolous ones will not warn the fools of their danger; the crowd that presses to the theater or the ballroom will not apprise those who are there that they are in the broad way to hell; and everyone who loves his neighbor, should feel sufficient interest in him to tell him that he may be eternally happy in heaven.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Philippians 2:4. Look not every man on his own things — Do nothing through self-interest in the things of God; nor arrogate to yourselves gifts, graces, and fruits, which belong to others; ye are all called to promote God's glory and the salvation of men. Labour for this, and every one shall receive the honour that comes from God; and let each rejoice to see another, whom God may be pleased to use in a special way, acquiring much reputation by the successful application of his talents to the great work.
