Because whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel, he will save it.
8:35 — Because everyone who wants to save his life will lose it; and everyone who loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it—Compare Matt 10:39; Luke 17:33; Joh 12:25. To save temporary life, the person will avoid persecution and suffering and thus not die (for a while). But this very thing is what is going to cause him to lose his eternal life. On the other hand, the person who, for following Christ, suffers a lot and even to death, can lose, or loses, physical life in this world, but is resurrected to eternal life (while those who do not follow Christ in this life they will suffer eternal damnation in hell, because of their unforgiven sins). These are the two options that are presented to every man, and each person chooses between them. To seek what is yours is to lose your life eternally, but to lose what is earthly for the sake of Christ and his gospel is to save it eternally. This the apostle learned, and this is why Paul could say that “I do not esteem my life precious to myself, provided that I finish my course with joy…” (Ac 20:24). see Matt 5:10-12.
Source: Commentary on the New Testament by Partain
who wants to save. Esther 4:11-16; Jer 26:20-24; Matt 10:39; Matt 16:25; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33; Joh 12:25, Joh 12:26; Ac 20:24; Ac 21:13; 2Ti 2:11-13; 2Ti 4:6-8; Hebrews 11:35; Rev 2:10; Rev 7:14; Rev 12:11.
because of me. Matt 5:10-12; Matt 10:22; Matt 19:29; Luke 6:22, Luke 6:23; Joh 15:20, Joh 15:21; Ac 9:16; 1Co 9:23; 2Co 12:10; 2Ti 1:8; 1Pe 4:12-16.
Source: The Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
In order to eternally preserve one’s life, one’s worldly possessions and relationships that are held in high esteem must be surrendered (Matt 16:24-27). Apparent earthly losses mean eternal gains, and earthly gains can translate into eternal losses (Matt 19:21). We are investing resources all the time. The dividend is determined by the wisdom of the investments.
Source: New Illustrated Caribbean Bible Commentary
he who loses his life… will save it. This paradox reveals an important spiritual truth: those who follow a life of ease, comfort, and seeking acceptance from the world will not find eternal life. On the other hand, those who lay down their lives (see note on v.Tue 8:34) Christ and the gospel will find it. cop. Joh 12:25.
Source: MacArthur Study Bible
8:35 — For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it—Compare Mat 10:39; Luke 17:33; Joh 12:25. To save temporary life, the person will avoid persecution and suffering and thus not die (for a while). But this very thing is what is going to cause him to lose his eternal life. On the other hand, the person who, for following Christ, suffers a lot and even to death, can lose, or loses, physical life in this world, but is resurrected to eternal life (while those who do not follow Christ in this life they will suffer eternal damnation in hell, because of their unforgiven sins). These are the two options that are presented to every man, and each person chooses between them. To seek what is yours is to lose your life eternally, but to lose what is earthly for the sake of Christ and his gospel is to save it eternally. This the apostle learned, and that is why Paul could say that I do not “esteem my life precious to myself, provided that I finish my course with joy…” (Acts 20:24).
See Mat 5:10-12.
Source: Reeves-Partain Notes
Life: The Greek word here is psujē and it means “life”, “soul” or “oneself”. In this case it obviously means “life”. Jesus says that the cost of discipleship is high and can lead to death itself. will save her: Saving life, in the act of losing it, has to do with the transcendent dimension of human life. Jesus is saying that the result of losing one’s life because of gospel it is, for the disciple, salvation, everlasting, eternal life. There is a dimension of life that is accessed when the person is willing to sacrifice everything, even life itself, for the sake of Jesus and his gospel. In translating this verse, so full of meaning, it would be convenient to decipher its content a little by means of a paraphrase. Of all the versions consulted, TLA is the one that makes the greatest effort to contextualize this statement. For our part, we suggest translating this verse as follows: “For whoever wants to save his life, he will lose it; and whoever loses his life for following me and preaching the gospel, he will be saved.”
Source: Commentary for Exegesis and Translation
Matt 10:39; Luke 17:33; Joh 12:25.
Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation
— for my sake: Several mss. omit these words.
— good news: See notes to Sea 1:1 Y Romans 1:1.
Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation
GRADES
(1) Or, “life.” Gr., psy·kjen; J17,18,22(Heb.): naf schoh (from ne fesch). See App. 4A.
CROSS-REFERENCES
k 396 Matt 10:39; Matt 16:25; Luke 9:24; Joh 12:25; Rev 12:11
Source: New World Translation
The verse means; Anyone who saves his life (by renouncing the Gospel and thus avoiding the risk of martyrdom), will lose it (eternally, because he has not believed the Gospel); but whoever is willing to lose his life (as a martyr for Christ), will save it (ie, he will prove that he is a follower of Christ and an heir of eternal life).
Source: Ryrie Annotated Study Bible
→ Matt 10:39; Luke 17:33; Joh 12:25.
Source: Textual Bible IV Edition
oh soul
Source: The Bible of the Americas
g Matt 10:39; Luke 17:33; Joh 12:25.
Source: The Textual Bible III Edition
Peshitta Bible 2006 Notes:
8.35 Aramaic, nawshawhich can be translated soul, life and several other meanings. In this case it refers to who loses his soul (or his life) because of Jesus Christ, who decides to follow him by giving him his whole being, renouncing living according to the natural appetites of his flesh and his soul; and save the soul it means having lost it first because of Jesus Christ. Whoever wants her without having lost her, he will lose her to eternal damnation. For a better understanding of those who live according to their soul see 1Co 2:14.
Source: Peshitta in Spanish