For what benefit is it to a person if he gains the whole world [of material things] but [has to] give up his life [i.e., all the spiritual blessings]? Or what should a person give in exchange for his life?
Philippians 3:7 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) However, those things which were [once regarded as] gain to me, I have [now] considered to be loss for [the sake of] Christ. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [one combined] loss for Christ's sake. American Standard Version (1901) Howbeit what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. Common English Bible These things were my assets, but I wrote them off as a loss for the sake of Christ. Catholic Public Domain Version But the things which had been to my gain, the same have I considered a loss, for the sake of Christ. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version But the things that were gain to me, the same I have counted loss for Christ. |
For what benefit is it to a person if he gains the whole world [of material things] but [has to] give up his life [i.e., all the spiritual blessings]? Or what should a person give in exchange for his life?
“If anyone comes to me [i.e., to be my disciple], and does not hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers and sisters and, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
So therefore, every one of you who does not say ‘goodbye’ to everything he owns cannot be my disciple.
So, his master commended the dishonest property manager for his shrewdness. For worldly people are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light [i.e., God’s people].
And when they had eaten sufficiently, they began lightening the ship [so it would float higher] by throwing their wheat overboard.
He considered suffering ridicule for Christ’s sake to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking forward to his reward.