More important (5242) (huperecho from hupér = above, over + écho = have) literally means to have or hold over over, to have over and beyond, to excel, to be exceptionally valuable, to surpass in value, to be better or superior. In secular Greek it was used to describe a protector.
It means to stand out, rise above, overtop (Homer Iliad 3, 210). Figuratively it means to be in a controlling position, have power over, be in authority (over), be highly placed, to be above, be superior in rank, authority, power (1Pe 2:13), of magistrates (higher power as in Ro 13:1), of prominent men, such as rulers and kings (Polybius). The other sense of huperecho is to excel, to be superior (to someone), to be better than (Php 2:3) or excellency/surpassing worth (Php 3:8).
Paul's use of the present tense speaks of a "holding more important" as one's habitual attitude (which may be manifest in one's action) a as lifestyle (like it was with Christ - who continually had this attitude!). The active voice calls a volitional choice to be made, a choice of my will to continually hold others to be better. To regard others as more important than ourselves is completely foreign to our fallen human nature and can only be accomplished by the power of the indwelling Spirit in believers who surrender to His control.
Huperecho - 5x in 5v - Ro 13:1-note; Phil 2:3; Php 3:8-note; Php 4:7-note; 1Pet 2:13-note. NAS = governing(1), in authority(1), more important(1), surpasses(1), surpassing value(1).
Huperecho - 13x in the non-apocryphal Septuagint (LXX) - Gen 25:23; 39:9; 41:40; Ex 26:13; Lev 25:27; Jdg 5:25; 1Kgs 8:8; 2 Chr 5:9; Dan 5:11; 7:23
Don't misinterpret what Paul is saying. His exhortation does not mean that we are to have a denigrating or disparaging view of our own gifts or talents. For example, you may be a much better singer than someone else. Paul is not saying to think of yourself as an inferior singer but to consider the other person as deserving of preferential treatment in general. The upshot is that our consideration for others must precede our concern for ourselves. You've probably seen the little acronym for "joy" - J (Jesus) O (others) Y (yourself).
Paul calls for a similar attitude in (Ro 12:10-note)
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor (leading the way in showing the honor that is due). (NRSV puts it "outdo one another in showing honor") (Ro 12:10-note)
The parallel thought is expressed in (Gal 5:13, Eph 4:2-note; Ep 5:21-note; 1Pet 5:5-note).
Jamieson gives this advice on putting this rule into practice:
Instead of fixing your eyes on those points in which you excel, fix them on those in which your neighbor excels you: this is true "humility.
Henry adds that we need to
be severe upon our own faults and charitable in our judgments of others, be quick in observing our own defects and infirmities, but ready to overlook and make favourable allowances for the defects of others. We must esteem the good which is in others above that which is in ourselves; for we best know our own unworthiness and imperfections.
The Wuest translation says that when regarding one another as more important, we should rest this estimation
not upon feelings or sentiment, but upon a due consideration of facts.
Barnes has a well worded note explaining that regarding one another as more important than self
is one of the effects produced by true humility, and it naturally exists in every truly modest mind. We are sensible of our own defects, but we have not the same clear view of the defects of others. We see our own hearts; we are conscious of the great corruption there; we have painful evidence of the impurity of the motives which often actuate us - of the evil thoughts and corrupt desires in our own souls; but we have not the same view of the errors, defects, and follies of others. We can see only their outward conduct; but, in our own case, we can look within. It is natural for those who have any just sense of the depravity of their own souls, charitably to hope that it is not so with others, and to believe that they have purer hearts. This will lead us to feel that they are worthy of more respect than we are. Hence, this is always the characteristic of modesty and humility - graces which the gospel is eminently suited to produce. A truly pious man will be always, therefore, an humble man, and will wish that others should be preferred in office and honor to himself. Of course, this will not make him blind to the defects of others when they are manifested; but he will be himself retiring, modest, unambitious, unobtrusive. This rule of Christianity would strike a blow at all the ambition of the world. It would rebuke the love of office and would produce universal contentment in any low condition of life where the providence of God may have cast our lot. (Philippians 2)
Wiersbe sums up this section with the thought that
Paul is saying to the church, “Your disagreements reveal that there is a spiritual problem in your fellowship. It isn’t going to be solved by rules or threats; it’s going to be solved when your hearts are right with Christ and with each other.” Paul wanted them to see that the basic cause was selfishness, and the cause of selfishness is pride. There can be no joy in the life of the Christian who puts himself above others. (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor)
If we have the single mind of Philippians 1, then we will have no problem with the submissive mind of Philippians 2.
To further bring home his point to the saints at Philippi, Paul proceeds to give four illustrations of those who obeyed the command to have a submissive (humble) mind -- Jesus Christ (Php 2:5-11), Paul himself (Php 2:17), Timothy (Php 2:19-23); Epaphroditus (Php 2:25-30). What a contrast this prevalent mindset that characterizes the "last days" that we are living in today! (2Ti 3:1,2, 3, 4-ee notes 2Ti 3:1-2, 3-5)
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NOTHING THROUGH SELFISH AMBITION - The aquatic creature called the blowfish has no particular value to the one who catches it—except that it may help to develop the angler's patience because it often seizes bait intended for better fish. The blowfish is unattractive; it has a large mouth and a wrinkled body that looks like worn-out leather. When you turn it over and tickle it, the flabby fish puffs up until it is swollen like a globe.
People can be like that. A little flattery, a little tickling of their vanity and they swell up, giving the semblance of greatness. Pride inflates them, and they puff up like the blowfish. But there's nothing substantial about them; they are all air.
This condition takes other forms with more serious consequences. For example, the Christians to whom Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 5 were tolerating immorality. Instead of being grieved over sin in their midst, they were actually "puffed up" (1Cor 5:2). Here was a sure sign of carnality and immaturity—they were proud when they should have been mourning. God desires that we be "built up" in Christ—never "puffed up" with pride.
The continual attitude of God's children should be the one Paul recommended to the Philippians. He said, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself" (Phil. 2:3). If we take this seriously, we won't have the characteristics of the puffed-up blowfish. —P. R. Van Gorder (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
The smaller we become, the more room God has to work.
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Running For Others - Tom Knapp never won a race during his entire high school track career. Tom was a "pusher." It was his task to set the pace for his fellow team members, who would then beat him to the finish line. When he ran a successful race, he was enabling a fellow teammate to win. Even though Tom never had enough reserve energy for the final sprint to victory, the coach considered him a valuable member of the team.
In a similar way, the New Testament tells us to run our race of faith with the success of others in mind. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3, 4). Our example of such living is Jesus Christ, who left the glory of heaven to share our humanity and die on the cross so that we can have eternal life (Php 2:5-8).
If the encouragement of our example helps another person to flourish and be successful, we should rejoice. When the eternal prizes are awarded for faithful service to God, a lot of "pushers" will be wearing blue ribbons. Until then, let's keep running so that others can win. —David C. McCasland (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
Oh, to see the needs of others
More important than our own,
Following our Lord's example
When He left His heavenly throne. —Sper
You can't lose when you help others win
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EACH year a small number of baseball superstars think they aren't being properly appreciated by their teams' owners. They are dissatisfied with their salaries even though they make more money in one year than most of us do in a lifetime. Their discontent is based on comparison. Each player considers him-self the best at his position and therefore thinks he should receive the largest salary.
Before the advent of multimillion dollar sports contracts, C. S. Lewis made this insightful, almost prophetic, comment: "We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking, there would be nothing to be proud about."
Pride afflicts all of us, not just the rich and famous. It is pride that causes us to feel hurt when someone snubs us, ignores us, or takes credit for something we did. Pride is behind the envy we feel toward people who are more successful than we are.
Christ's solution for pride is the only cure: consider others better than ourselves.—H V Lugt (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
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GAIN BY GIVING - "The generous soul will be made rich, andhe who waters will also be watered himself."-- Proverbs 11:25
A visitor to a lighthouse said to the keeper, "Aren't you afraid to live here with the storms and high winds constantly lashing the walls?"
"Oh, we have to be more concerned about those out on the sea," the man replied. "We think only of having our lamps burning brightly and keeping the reflectors clear so that those in greater danger may be saved."
We too are to be more concerned about others than we are about ourselves (Phil. 2:3, 4). Generosity and selflessness produce an abundant life of joy and rich reward. According to the Scriptures, if we give freely to others, we will receive abundant blessing.
Proverbs 11 teaches that a person who gives to others will gain even more (Pr 11:24, 25). Pr 11:25 paints a word picture to make the point. It states that "he who waters will also be watered himself."
The 19th-century preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, "Let me consider the poor, and the Lord will also recompense me. Let me water His garden, and He will make a well-irrigated garden of my soul."
As we focus our attention on giving refreshing help to the needy, we will be refreshed by the Lord. -- Henry G. Bosch (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)
Service is working and giving,
And not regretting the cost;
It's knowing and understanding
That no good deed will be lost.
When it comes to helping others, some people stop at nothing.
Philippians 2:4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (NASB: Lockman)
Greek: me ta heauton hekastos skopountes, (PAPMPN) alla [kai] ta heteron hekastoi.
Amplified: Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
KJV: Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Phillips : None of you should think only of his own affairs, but should learn to see things from other people's point of view. (Phillips: Touchstone)
Robertson: Not keeping an eye on the main chance for number one, but for the good of others.
Wuest: Not consulting each one his own interests only, but also each one the interests of others. (Eerdmans)
Young's Literal: each not to your own look ye, but each also to the things of others.
DO NOT MERELY LOOK OUT FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL INTERESTS: me ta heauton hekastos skopountes (PAPMPN) me ta heauton hekastos skopountes (PAPMPN): (Mt 18:6 Ro 12:15 14:19, 20, 21, 22, 15:1 1Co 8:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 10:24,32,33, 12:22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
Let not every man regard his own wants, his own interests (Lightfoot)
Do not be always concentrating each on your own interests (Barclay)
Don't think only about your own affairs (NLT),
Not looking everyone to his private good (BBE),
Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests (Amp),
Not keeping an eye on the main chance for number one (Robertson)
In this passage Paul continues his discourse on selflessness. His point is that if we are truly looking out for interests of other we will be exalting them and lowering ourselves and this will facilitate unity in the body.
As Edwards rightly observes...
What hard words these are! Our souls know they are true but plead with us not to take them seriously. If we followed these injunctions it appears that all we hold precious would be thrown out the window. After all, if we no longer exalted ourselves then who would there be to exalt us? And if we lived only for the benefit of others, who would watch out for us? Our problem is that we want to be called a "living sacrifice" without dying on the altar of servanthood. (Philippians)
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)