Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 16:26

"For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?" — Matthew 16:26 (ASV)

what is a man profited...? — It is for a specific reason that the argument from expediency, as it might be called, is introduced here. Even the self-denial called for in Matthew 16:24 does not exclude the consideration—for those who can still be influenced by it—of what will ultimately profit us most. There is a form of self-love which, despite the strained language of an exaggerated and unrealistic philanthropy, is ennobling and not debasing.

In exchange for his soul — The English translation introduces an apparent contrast in wording where the original uses the same word; it would be better to retain “life” in both verses. If there is no profit in bartering even the lower life for the whole world, how much less in bartering the higher? ‘Et propter vitam vivendi perdere causas!’ And when that forfeiture has been incurred, what price can he then pay to buy it back? The psalmist answers, It costs more to redeem their souls, so that he must let that alone for ever (Psalms 49:8, Prayer Book Version).