6. οὔτεζητοῦντεςκτλ.] Upon the repudiation of covetousness follows naturally the repudiation of worldly ambition (cf. Acts 20:19, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Ephesians 4:2). Calv.: ‘ duo enim sunt isti fontes, ex quibus manat totius ministerii corruptio.’ For ζητεῖν in the sense of selfish seeking cf. Romans 10:3, 1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 Corinthians 10:33; 1 Corinthians 13:5, 2 Corinthians 12:14, Philippians 2:21, and for δόξα in its original sense of ‘ good opinion’ see note on v. 12. In Hellenistic Gk. ἐξ and ἀπό are frequently used interchangeably (WM. p. 512, Moulton Prolegg. p. 237, Meisterhans p. 212): in accordance however with the earlier distinction between them ἐξ may here point to the ultimate source, and ἀπό rather to the more immediate agents (Ambrstr. ex hominibus … a uobis).
It should be noted that what the Apostles disclaim is the desire of popularity. Th. Mops.: ‘ cautissime enim posuit non quaerentes; hoc est, “ non auspicantes hoc,” nec hanc habentes actus nostri intentionem.’