Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 2:21

21 For all h seek their own h, not the things which are Jesus Christ's .

So that they did postpone the glory of Christ, the safety and edification of the Church there, to their own things. Wherefore he doth not mean it absolutely, that they did not seek the things of Christ, or that they did deny Christ, for 'tis apparent, even when he penn'd this Epistle, ch. 1.13, 14. with Act. 28.14, 15. & Rom. 1.8. There were many that did seriously seek Christ; but comparatively, and in a sort, they did not seek the things of Christ so intensly as they should, 1 Cor. 10.24, 33. but failed as others did in other cases, Mat. 26.58. 2 Tim. 4.16. (not as if all minding of their own things were denied to Christ's Ministers, 1 Tim. 3.4, 5. & 5.8. but) they did slip their necks from under the yoke, and did not mind the Glory of Christ in the Church of Philippi, as he did.

He doth here further commend Timothy, compared with the generality of those, who with him did attend the Ministry of the Gospel at Rome, where it seems (whatever the Papists pretend) Peter did not then preside as Metropolitan. When he saith all, he doth not necessarily imply every individual besides Timothy, (though as before, he knew not one like-minded as he was) but almost all, (as the universal sign is elsewhere Synecdochically taken, Ier. 6.3. Mat. 10.22. Mark, 1.5.) or the most part of those then employed in the Ministry, who were then at liberty, and whose inclinations (probably) he had enquired into.

Did though not simply and absolutely, yet after a sort, seek their own profit, ease, safety, pleasure and satisfaction, (called their own, in regard of their civil right, and the world's opinion, but yet at God's disposal, Hag. 2.8.) These they did (as Iohn, and Mark in another case) prefer to a long and tedious Journey for the service of Christ, unto Philippi.