Self-Interest vs. Devotion: A Koine and Classical Greek Comparison of Philippians 2:21

Οἱ πάντες γὰρ τὰ ἑαυτῶν ζητοῦσιν, οὐ τὰ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ.

For they all seek their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.

Koine Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis

• οἱ πάντες — Nominative masculine plural: “they all.” The article οἱ generalizes the group as a class.
• γάρ — Causal particle: “for.” Introduces explanation or reason (linked to the preceding verse about Timothy’s unique character).
• τὰ ἑαυτῶν — Accusative neuter plural: “their own things/interests.” ἑαυτῶν is a reflexive possessive pronoun in the genitive plural.
• ζητοῦσιν — Present active indicative, 3rd person plural of ζητέω: “they seek.” Ongoing or habitual action.
• οὐ τὰ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ — Negated parallel clause. τὰ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ is accusative neuter plural, meaning “the things of Christ Jesus,” i.e., his interests, mission, or concerns.

Comparison with Classical Greek Usage

• τὰ ἑαυτῶν… τὰ Χριστοῦ — The abstract neuter plural construction (literally “the things of…”) is attested in Classical Greek (e.g., τὰ φίλων = “the concerns of friends”), but the ethical framing here—self vs. Christ—is distinctive to Koine moral theology.
• ζητοῦσιν — In Classical Greek, ζητέω can mean “to search for,” “to desire,” or “to inquire.” Here in Koine it carries an idiomatic meaning: “to pursue (interests),” more pragmatic than investigative.
• Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ — The genitive compound reflects a post-Classical usage wherein proper names (especially divine titles) are frequently treated as possessors of abstract concerns. In Classical Greek, this would be rare or more formally constructed.
• Absence of verb in parallel clause — ζητοῦσιν is not repeated in “οὐ τὰ Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ.” Koine Greek frequently omits repeated verbs; Classical Greek might either supply the verb again or restructure for balance.

Semantic and Stylistic Shifts

• Moral dichotomy — The verse frames an absolute contrast between self-interest and Christ-centered devotion. This kind of moral polarity is a Koine hallmark and less typical in Classical ethics, which often prizes balance or civic duty.
• Use of τὰ + genitive — The abstract neuter plural + genitive construction is elevated in Koine theology to express personal loyalties and priorities (e.g., “the things of God,” “the things of man”).
• Compression and contrast — The tight parallelism (τὰ ἑαυτῶν // τὰ Χριστοῦ) creates a rhetorical rhythm characteristic of Paul’s epistolary style. Classical Greek often favors variation or more elaborate phrasing.
• Theological personalization — “Christ Jesus” becomes the ethical axis; such personal reference to a divine figure’s interests is unique to Christian Koine and absent from Classical pantheons.

Koine and Classical Comparison Table