Esteeming Others Better than Themselves Philippians 2:3

As Paul the apostle continues his encouragement and instruction to the church in Philippi, we have noted the series of “ifs” contained within the first verse of the second chapter of Philippians, and we have learned how the church members there would fulfill Paul's joy by being unified. In chapter two and verse three Paul instructs the church about the attitude they should have toward one another where we read:

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

The verse begins, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory;” Paul employs the word “let” which means “allow” to begin this guidance to the church. He adds the word “nothing” which implies everything they do and then gives two attitudes they should not have when they involve themselves in activities. First, they should not do them through “strife” which means “electioneering or intriguing for office; partisanship or fractiousness”, and secondly, they should not do them with “vainglory” or “groundless, self esteem, empty pride, a vain opinion or error”. In each of these attitudes there is a tendency for the promotion of personal advancement and betterment of themselves, and this idea is contrary to the essence of the gospel itself.

The verse goes on to say, “but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Paul gives the contrasting manner in which they should operate as indicated by the word “but”. He said they should be “in lowliness of mind” or “having a humble opinion of one's self, a deep sense of one's (moral) littleness, modesty, and humility”, and rather than advance themselves, “let each esteem” which means “to rule, command, and have authority over” “other better than themselves”. They were to allow others “to stand out, rise above, be over-the-top, to be above, be superior in rank, authority, power, as prominent, rulers, to excel, to be superior, and to surpass” themselves. Rather than advance themselves, they were to advance one another.

Upon first glance this instruction of Paul may seem very contrary to our natural way of being. We generally think of ourselves more highly than others, and to be guided to “esteem others better than” ourselves might not come naturally. We live in a world where people are taught to advance themselves, promote themselves, and think about themselves first and only later consider someone else. Perhaps as we think on these things we will be benefited by the example of Jesus who made himself lowly and of no reputation so that we might have a relationship with God, and may the Lord Jesus help us by His Holy Spirit to be reminded of the manner in which He lived.

Next time Paul writes about how men should look upon things, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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