Psalms 73:25
25, 26. God is his only satisfying good.
Matthew 13:44-46
44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field—no uncommon thing in unsettled and half-civilized countries, even now as well as in ancient times, when there was no other way of securing it from the rapacity of neighbors or marauders. (Jer 41:8; Job 3:21; Pr 2:4).
the which when a man hath found—that is, unexpectedly found. he hideth, and for joy thereof—on perceiving what a treasure he had lighted on, surpassing the worth of all he possessed. goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field—in which case, by Jewish law, the treasure would become his own.The Pearl of Great Price (Mt 13:45, 46).
45. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls.
46. Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it—The one pearl of great price, instead of being found by accident, as in the former case, is found by one whose business it is to seek for such, and who finds it just in the way of searching for such treasures. But in both cases the surpassing value of the treasure is alike recognized, and in both all is parted with for it.
The Good and Bad Fish (Mt 13:47-50).
The object of this brief parable is the same as that of the Tares and Wheat. But as its details are fewer, so its teaching is less rich and varied.
Philippians 3:7-8
7. gain—rather as Greek, "gains"; including all possible advantages of outward status, which he had heretofore enjoyed.
I counted—Greek, "I have counted for Christ's sake loss." He no longer uses the plural as in "gains"; for he counts them all but one great "loss" (Mt 16:26; Lu 9:25).8. Yea doubtless—The oldest manuscripts omit "doubtless" (Greek, "ge"): translate, "nay more." Not only "have I counted" those things just mentioned "loss for Christ's sake, but, moreover, I even DO count ALL things but loss," &c.
for the excellency—Greek, "On account of the surpassing excellency (the supereminence above them all) of the knowledge of Christ Jesus." my Lord—believing and loving appropriation of Him (Ps 63:1; Joh 20:28). for whom—"on account of whom." I have suffered the loss—not merely I "counted" them "loss," but have actually lost them. all things—The Greek has the article, referring to the preceding "all things"; "I have suffered the loss of them all." dung—Greek, "refuse (such as excrements, dregs, dross) cast to the dogs," as the derivation expresses. A "loss" is of something having value; but "refuse" is thrown away as not worthy of being any more touched or looked at. win—Translate, to accord with the translation, Php 3:7, "gain Christ." A man cannot make other things his "gain" or chief confidence, and at the same time "gain Christ." He who loses all things, and even himself, on account of Christ, gains Christ: Christ is His, and He is Christ's (So 2:16; 6:3; Lu 9:23, 24; 1Co 3:23).