For whoever wants to save his life will lose it
This phrase highlights the paradox of self-preservation versus self-sacrifice. In the biblical context, "life" can refer to both physical life and one's soul or spiritual life. The desire to save one's life often reflects a focus on earthly concerns and self-interest. Historically, this was a common mindset in the Roman Empire, where personal honor and status were highly valued. Theologically, this phrase warns against prioritizing worldly gains over spiritual truths. It echoes the teachings of Jesus in other passages, such as Matthew 10:39, where the emphasis is on the cost of discipleship and the call to deny oneself.

but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it
This part of the verse emphasizes the concept of losing one's life for the sake of Christ, which involves a willingness to sacrifice personal ambitions and even face persecution for the sake of the Gospel. In the early church, many believers faced martyrdom, and this teaching would have been a source of encouragement and strength. Theologically, it underscores the idea of dying to self and living for Christ, as seen in Galatians 2:20, where Paul speaks of being crucified with Christ. The promise of finding life refers to eternal life and the fulfillment found in a relationship with Jesus. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical narrative of redemption and the call to follow Christ wholeheartedly.

1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples, teaching them about the cost of discipleship and the paradox of gaining true life through self-denial.

2. Disciples
The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all followers of Christ who are called to understand and live out the principles of the Kingdom of God.

3. Caesarea Philippi
The location where Jesus delivers this teaching, a place known for its pagan worship, highlighting the contrast between worldly values and the values of God's Kingdom.The Paradox of Life and Loss
Jesus presents a paradox that challenges worldly wisdom. To truly find life, one must be willing to lose it for Christ's sake. This involves a radical reorientation of values and priorities.

Self-Denial as a Path to True Life
The call to lose one's life is a call to self-denial and surrender to God's will. This is not about physical death but about dying to self-centered desires and ambitions.

Eternal Perspective
The teaching encourages believers to adopt an eternal perspective, valuing eternal life over temporary gains. This perspective helps in making decisions that honor God.

Living for Christ's Sake
The phrase "for My sake" highlights the motivation behind the sacrifice. It is not about asceticism for its own sake but about living for Christ and His Kingdom.

Practical Discipleship
This teaching calls for practical steps in discipleship, such as prioritizing spiritual growth, serving others, and being willing to face persecution or hardship for the sake of the Gospel.(25) Whosoever will save his life, . . . whosoever will lose his life. . . .--There is a subtle distinction between the two clauses in the Greek which the English fails to represent. "Whoso ever willeth--i.e., wishes--to save his life" (the construction being the same as in Matthew 16:24) in the first clause, "Whosoever shall lose his life" in the second. It is as though it was felt that no man could wish to lose his life for the sake of losing it, though he might be ready, if called on, to surrender it. The word rendered "life" is the same as "the soul" of the next verse. For the most part, it means the former rather than the latter with its modern associations, and is never used as a simple equivalent for the spirit of man as the heir of immortality. Strictly speaking, it is the animating principle of the natural as distinguished from the spiritual life. Man, in the fuller trichotomy of the New Testament, consists of "body, soul, and spirit" (1Thessalonians 5:23), the soul being the connecting-link between the other two. The truth is, of course, put in the form of a paradox, and hence, with a contrast between the two aspects of the soul, or psyche. To be bent on saving it in its relation to the body, is to lose it in its relation to the higher life of spirit; to be content to part with it in its lower aspect, is to gain it back again in the higher.

Verse 25. - (Comp. Matthew 10:39; John 12:25.) Whosoever will (o{ ga\r a}n qe/lh"", whosoever wills to) save his life (ψυχήν). Here are set forth the highest motives for courage, endurance, and perseverance in the way of righteousness. The word translated "life" is used four times in this and the following verse, though in the latter it is rendered "soul" in the Anglican Version. The fact is the word is used in two senses: for the life which now is - the bodily life: and the life which is to come - the spiritual, the everlasting life. These are indeed two stages of the same life - that which is bounded by earth and that which is to be passed with the glorified body in heaven; but they are for the moment regarded as distinct, though intimately connected by belonging to the same personality. And the Lord intimates that any one who avoids bodily death and suffering by compromise of duty, by denying Christ and disowning the truth, shall lose everlasting life. On the other hand, whosoever sacrifices his life for the sake of Christ, to promote his cause, shall save his soul and be eternally rewarded. Shall find it. "Find," as the opposite of "lose," is here equivalent to "save." There may, too, be in it a notion of something great and unexpected, a treasure discovered, "salvation far beyond all that they looked for" (Wisd. 5:2). Says St. Gregory, "If you keep your seed, you lose it; if you sow it, you will find it again" ('Hom. in Evang.,' 32.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

whoever
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

wants
θέλῃ (thelē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

to save
σῶσαι (sōsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4982: To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

life
ψυχὴν (psychēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

will lose
ἀπολέσει (apolesei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

it,
αὐτήν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

but
δ’ (d’)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

whoever
ὃς (hos)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

loses
ἀπολέσῃ (apolesē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

life
ψυχὴν (psychēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

for My sake
ἕνεκεν (heneken)
Preposition
Strong's 1752: Or heneken hen'-ek-en or heineken hi'-nek-en; of uncertain affinity; on account of.

will find
εὑρήσει (heurēsei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

it.
αὐτήν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life (Matt. Mat Mt)