John Calvin 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)

For what doth it profit a man? The word soul is here used in the strictest sense. Christ reminds them that the soul of man was not created merely to enjoy the world for a few days, but to obtain finally its immortality in heaven.

What carelessness and what brutal stupidity is this, that men are so strongly attached to the world, and so much occupied with its affairs, as not to consider why they were born, and that God gave them an immortal soul, so that, when the course of the earthly life was finished, they might live eternally in heaven!

And, indeed, it is universally acknowledged that the soul is of higher value than all the riches and enjoyments of the world; yet men are so blinded by carnal views that they knowingly and willfully abandon their souls to destruction.

So that the world may not fascinate us by its allurements, let us remember the surpassing worth of our soul; for if this is seriously considered, it will easily dispel the vain imaginations of earthly happiness.