Epistle to the Philippians

Epistle to the Philippians

April 1, 2012 Bob Eckel 1

Phil 2:3-4, Humility of Mind

• Phil 2:3 – NKJV “[Let] nothing [be done] through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”– ILG – [Doing] nothing according to rivalry neither according to

empty conceit but in humility, esteeming one another above themselves.

– nothing is an adjective modifying someone doing, or better yet who should be not doing

• through or according to – kata – rivalry, strife, selfish ambition – the wrong motive

• Rom 2:8, II Cor 12:20, Gal 5:20, Phil 1:16, James 3:14,16– conceit, empty conceit, vain glory

• What does this type of conduct look like?• Do we always perceive this?• How does the Holy Spirit work here?




• Not consistent with the principle of grace which is our walk – Gal 5:26– but in humility or lowliness of mind

• a deep sense of one’s (moral) nothingness– Acts 20:19, Eph 4:2, Col 3:12, I Pet 5:5

• And it’s the cross – which is nothing but humbling – Phil 2:5-8– And all are made equal there– This attitude is consistent with our identification

» The alternative brings glory only to the flesh

– Contrast this with false humility• And doesn’t this fit your own experience at times?

» Col 2:18, Col 2:23

– esteeming one another• esteem – hēgeomai

– present middle deponent participle - usually used in the active tense – consider, deem, account

– above or better than themselves




• to have risen above, be in a higher position of rank or power, be superior to

– Rom 13:1, Phil 3:8, Phil 4:7, I Pet 2:13• Define ‘better than’

– From whose perspective?– Rom 3:9 - What then? Are we better [than they]? Not at all. For we have

previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.– Heb 1:4 - having become so much better than the angels, as He has by

inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

– The walk In Christ• Rom 12:10 - Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in

honor preferring one another;• This is who we are!

– Therefore, let’s walk by faith!

• Phil 2:4 NKJV “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”




– ILG – Not the things of themselves every person looking at, but also the things of others each person.

• Notice ‘only’ is not in the ILG. – Is this important?

• Was Christ ever preoccupied with Himself?– Are we to be like Christ?

» No, we are In Christ!• But also is in the 2nd phrase in this verse.

– Does this imply that we are and can be concerned with ourselves?

– Look (observe, mark, contemplate) (not) is present active imperative – (don’t - self) or do it (others)!

– on his own interests or things • heautou – himself or themselves• Phil 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

– for or on the interests or things of others – tough grammar here




• on the things is simply the article ho – this, that, these• of others is actually an adjective, modifying an article?

– the things of others» looking on is implied» No plural in English definite article, thus things

– This attitude is one of interest, encouragement, fellowship.• Self gain is not the motive or apparent.• Rom 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that

weep.• Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace,

and things wherewith one may edify another.– What about being a busy-body?

• I Pet 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.

• What’s a busybody?– allotriepiskopos - one who takes the supervision of affairs pertaining to

others, a meddler in other men's affairs.




– The motive is self, not others.– The take-home message:

Christ, Others, Self

Epistle to the Philippians

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