A.T. Robertson Commentary Matthew 10:39

"He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." — Matthew 10:39 (ASV)

Shall lose it (απολεσε αυτην). This paradox appears in four forms according to Allen (I)Matthew 10:39 (2) Mr 8:35; Matthew 16:25; Luke 9:24 (3)Luke 17:33 (4)John 12:25. The Wisdom of Sirach (Hebrew text) in 51:26 has: "He that giveth his life findeth her (wisdom)." It is one of the profound sayings of Christ that he repeated many times. Plato (Gorgias 512) has language somewhat similar though not so sharply put. The article and aorist participles here (ο ευρων, ο απολεσας) are timeless in themselves just like ο δεχομενος in verses 40 and 41.