Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

with him), who (Subj. Nom., qualitative relative pronoun)
genuinely (Adv. Manner; emphasizes a characteristic quality: by
the very nature of spiritual maturity), would be concerned
(merimna,w, FAI3S, Deliberative; care, worry about) with reference to
the things (Acc. Gen. Ref.) concerning you (Gen. Root Idea; idiom,
metaphorical use of περι meaning "your affairs" or "concerned for
your welfare"),
WHO Philippians 2:20 ouvde,na ga.r e;cw ivso,yucon o[stij gnhsi,wj ta. peri. u`mw/n merimnh,sei\
VUL
Philippians 2:20 neminem enim habeo tam unianimem qui sincera affectione pro vobis
sollicitus sit
LWB Philp. 2:21 For they all [believers in Rome] keep seeking their own things [arrogant
preoccupation with themselves], not the things [concerns, interests] of Jesus Christ.
KW
Philp. 2:21 For one and all without exception are constantly seeking their own things, not the
things of Christ Jesus.
KJV Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
TRANSLATION HIGHLIGHTS
After paying a high compliment to Timothy, Paul gives the Philippian believers a sad report on the
believers in Rome. Apparently all of the believers at Rome are either neophytes still learning basic
doctrine, or they are in reversionism. Paul says they “all” keep seeking (Iterative Present tense) their
own interests. They are arrogantly preoccupied with themselves, only concerned for their own
welfare and self-gratification. There are believers in Rome, to be sure, but as a whole they are not
interested in the things of Jesus Christ, i.e., Bible doctrine. Paul would like to keep Timothy with
him in Rome, but he could not find anyone else in the entire region who had grown sufficiently in
the spiritual life to minister to the Philippians.
REVELANT OPINIONS
Not every person preaching Christ in Rome was inspired by the highest of motives. (P.T. O'Brien)
The Roman believers were in stage 2 reversionism, the frantic search for happiness. (R.B. Thieme,
Jr.) They served Christ in a superficial manner because doctrine was not their highest priority in life.
There were so few that were rightly affected, that were wise, and had devotedness of heart to our
Lord. (J. Calvin) Those with Paul at Rome were genuine Christians, though not so self-sacrificing as
Timothy. Most help only when Christ’s gain is compatible with their own. (R. Jamieson) He does
not for a moment mean that he has no genuine Christian brethren in his company. But he had found,
in all probability, that when he proposed to some of his companions, good Christian men, that they
should visit far-distant Philippi, they all shrank, making various excuses. Timothy alone is willing,
the one man he can least afford to spare. It is hard to part with him at such a critical time. (W.R.
Nicoll)