“Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”
Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
The Corinthians were very conscious of their personal rights, but Paul challenged them not to become self-oriented but others-oriented. We are to become oriented to the good of others.
PRINCIPLE:
Committed Christians should be more interested in the good of the other person than in their own rights.
APPLICATION:
The well-being of other believers should be a priority of a committed believer. Exercise of liberty is of secondary importance. Placing the good of another person above our own indicates God’s touch upon our lives.
Most Christians are concerned about their own personal success, which is a terrific indictment against Christians today. We think of everything about how it will affect us. It is all about “me first.” Self-interest is not our true purpose. The Word of God challenges this attitude; we must not revert to this kind of thinking:
Je 45:5, “And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the Lord. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.”
Ph 2:3-4, Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4Let each of you lookout not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Most of us think in terms of self. “I am not appreciated as I should be.” “I am not recognized as I ought to be.” We allow our feeling to get hurt, and we wear our feelings on our sleeves. We are great at looking out for ourselves, because we want to get some credit, some popularity, and we want recognition for what we do.
Yesterday I was simply meditating and looking over scripture, when all of the sudden I was guided to this verse. I am the Executive Director of a faith-based organization, one of our ministries has as it's core theme Philippians 2:2.
This is a tremendous teaching that I believe the entire Body of Christ needs teachers who will teach this to the point, that we as His Body of Christ are transformed by this principle in our everyday lives.
Gerald, your program for young men looks exciting. I personally came from a non-Christian background where I got into trouble as a youth. I became a Christian at the age of 16 and it changed everything.
If we just went by this verse alone it could change this cruel world in which we live.
We are translating “well-being” according to our understanding. What did the writer of this letter mean by “good”?
Marco, there is no Greek term for the translation “well-being” in verse 24. The translators supply the thought from v. 23 “helpful.” The Greek term “helpful” in verse 23 is to be of an advantage to someone—‘to be advantageous, to be better off, to be to someone’s advantage.’