Philippians 2:3

μηδὲ κατὰ κενοδοξίαν. So אABC, 17 31 37, vulg copt arm æth and some fathers. D2G2K2LP, most cursives, goth, some fathers ἢ κενοδοξίαν. Syr (pesh and harkl) ἢ κατὰ κενοδοξίαν.

3. μηδὲν κτλ. Note the brief energy of the verbless phrase, and also the absoluteness of the prohibition, which is binding on all Christian lives at all times.

κατʼ ἐριθείαν. On ἐριθεία, see note on Philippians 1:17. We might render the words here, “faction-wise,” or “party-wise.” But ἐριθεία would cover also the notion of an individual ambition, working by intrigue for merely personal ends.

μηδὲ κατὰ κενοδοξίαν. For the reading see critical note.

τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ. The dative may be rendered (as Vulg., A.V. and R.V.) “in,” or somewhat better, “with.” The definite article gives the noun a certain concreteness, which might almost be represented by “with your lowliness.” But this would slightly exaggerate the effect. Ταπεινοφροσύνη is apparently not found in Greek before the N.T.; but ταπεινοφρονέω, ταπεινόφρων, appear in LXX., and in connexions where they denote pious humility. In the classics ταπεινός (used of moral not physical subjects) and its compounds almost invariably carry a tone of blame, as of a defect of proper courage and self-assertion.—The good references of the words in Biblical Greek are deeply instructive. Revealed religion bases its mighty positive morality on the profound negative of the surrender and dethronement of self before a Redeeming Lord who has had pity on perfectly unworthy objects. The world’s “poor spirited” and the Lord’s “poor in spirit” are phrases of very different tones.

ἡγούμενοι. Such participles, where the normal grammar would place imperatives, are frequent in N.T. See for a group of examples Romans 12:9-19.—This precept must be read in the light of the Holy Spirit’s illumination of the individual conscience. Where the man habitually viewed himself in the contrasted glory of the Divine holiness he would respond instinctively to the call to rank himself as low as possible in the spiritual scale.