Philippians 2:3-4 3doing nothing from selfish ambition or from conceit, but with humility considering other as being better than yourselves, 4each of you looking not only to their own matters but also to the matters of others.
The grammar of this verse is quick and concise, lacking a finite verb and being dependent upon the “complete” of verse 2. The affect this has is to put more qualifications on how the Philippians can make Paul’s joy full. The first clause requires an action word to be supplied, such as doing. This is one important way the Philippians can be united in their thinking. They must set aside selfish ambition (eritheian), which can lead to strife, fights, and division. The self is often the cause of many problems in churches, families, and other relationships.
Vain conceit (kenodoxian) literally means “empty glory.” It results when people have a bigger opinion of themselves than they ought. It can lead to boasting of one’s own abilities and to belittling others. No one likes to be around a showoff or a prideful person. These type of people are deluded with their own self-importance. Others will begin to doubt the integrity of these people because their words are full of hot air.
The answer to the problem of selfish arrogance is humility. This word is a compound of being lowly and humble like a servant (tapeino-), and thinking or mindset (-phrosynē). Paul defines the word more with the participial clause, considering others as being better than yourselves. To do this will require putting aside one’s own agenda and desires and seeking the good of other people.
Verse 4 gives a practical way to follow the directives of verse 3. This is how to live out humility. Humility will be shown by putting the needs of others ahead of one’s own. The word matters is actually a generic and simply means “things.” It is open-ended and, therefore, can fit just about any situation in life. These are the things that make up the daily existence for people. As humble followers of Jesus, it is up to us to identify ways we can serve others. This idea is given in the participle looking (skopountes), which has the sense of looking carefully, like under a microscope. We need to become aware of the needs of others. This is a sensitivity that can be developed with practice and commitment.
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