Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 9:25

"For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?" — Luke 9:25 (ASV)

And lose himself, or be cast away.—Better, destroy himself, or suffer loss. The first word expresses a more direct act, as of self-destruction, and the second (see Note on Matthew 16:16) implies the thought of the forfeiture of something precious rather than of being absolutely rejected. It presents, so to speak, a slightly softened aspect of the previous words.