Philippians 2:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:3

Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory . Not "strife," but "faction," as R.V. The word is the same as that rendered "contention" in Philippians 1:10 , where see note. Party spirit is one of the greatest dangers in running the Christian race. Love is the characteristic Christian grace; party spirit and vain-glory too often lead professing Christians to break the law of love. But in lowiness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves . In your lowliness; the article... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:3-4

The qualities of Christian like-mindedness. I. Warning faction and VAIN - GLORY . "Let nothing be done through faction or vain-glory." True unity of spirit is inconsistent alike with the exaltation of party and the exaltation of self. Faction carries men beyond the bounds of discretion, and rends the unity of the brotherhood. "The beginning of strife is as the letting out of water" ( Proverbs 17:14 ). It should be "an honor for a man to cease from" it ( Proverbs 20:3 ).... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:3-4

Exhortation to unity: (3) Causes of its breach. I. TO CONQUER A MALADY WE MUST ASCERTAIN ITS CAUSE . St. Paul lays bare the causes of the divisions which exist among Christians. 1 . Strife : faction; party spirit; the desire to promote the success of a cause rather than to be guided by the Holy Spirit into that which is true. 2 . Vain-glory : personal vanity; the desire to be noticed, and the hatred of owning one's self to be wrong. These are the solvents of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philippians 2:3

Let nothing be done through strife - With a spirit of contention. This command forbids us to do anything, or attempt anything as the mere result of strife. This is not the principle from which we are to act, or by which we are to be governed. We are to form no plan, and aim at no object which is to be secured in this way. The command prohibits all attempts to secure anything over others by mere physical strength, or by superiority of intellect or numbers. or as the result of dark schemes and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philippians 2:3-4

Philippians 2:3-4. Let nothing be done among you through strife A spirit of contradiction or contention, which is inconsistent with your being like- minded; or vain glory Desire of praise; wishing to draw the eyes of others upon you, and to make yourselves the subjects of discourse and admiration which is directly opposite to the love of God: but in lowliness of mind In unaffected simplicity and humility; let each esteem other better than themselves Which, on one account or another,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philippians 2:1-11

Christ’s example of humility (2:1-11)Paul gives four reasons why Christians should have greater unity between them: the encouragement given them by Christ; the power of Christ’s love working in them; the common sharing they have in the same Spirit; and the sympathetic kindness that God’s children should show to each other. Although the Philippians bring Paul much joy, that joy will not be complete till there is genuine unity among them (2:1-2). They are not to be concerned solely with their own... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Philippians 2:3

nothing. Greek medeis. through = according to. App-104 . strife . Greek. eritheia . See Philippians 1:16 . vainglory . Greek. kenodoxia. Only here. in = by. No preposition. Dative case. lowliness of mind . Greek. tapeinophrosune. See Acts 20:19 . let each , &c. = reckoning one another. better . Greek. huperecho, See Romans 13:1 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Philippians 2:3

Doing nothing through faction or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself.Faction and vain-glory ... These twin vices have been spoilers of the church of God in all ages. Petty strivings for place and preferment, jockeyings for advantage, pushing and shoving for prestige or attention - how many congregations of believers in Christ have been blighted or destroyed by the sins Paul mentioned here?Hendriksen asked a pertinent question on his verse: "But how can a... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Philippians 2:3

Philippians 2:3. In lowliness of mind, &c.— Though Christians of eminent gifts and graces may, and cannot but account their attainments to be superior to others of the lower class, as the Apostle speaks of his own gifts and labours; yet, like him, they ought to be humble in ascribing no glory to themselves, but all to the grace of God (compare 1Co 15:9-10 and 2 Corinthians 12:11.). And, with respect to true religion, love should teach them to hope that there may be something abundantly more... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Philippians 2:3

3. Let nothing be done —The italicized words are not in the Greek. Perhaps the ellipsis had better be supplied from the Greek (Philippians 2:2), "Thinking nothing in the way of strife" (or rather, "factious intrigue," "self-seeking," see on Philippians 2:2- :). It is the thought which characterizes the action as good or bad before God. lowliness of mind—The direct relation of this grace is to God alone; it is the sense of dependence of the creature on the Creator as such, and it places all... read more

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