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Philippians 2:3-5 strife and vain glory
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640
1. Philippians 2:3-5 strife and vain glory
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

BottleWhenever Paul makes a statement, command or mandate, it is like a "vitamin". The important question is the following. What problem might exist for Paul to recommend this vitamin?
Does it help to know that the Greek word translated as "strife" means "eristic" or "using bad logic" and the Greek word translated as "vainglory" means "empty opinion"? The last part of the verse uses a play on words to refer to the "bishops" lording it over the others.
2. Vitamins
BottleWhenever Paul makes a statement, command or mandate, it is like a "vitamin". The important question is the following. What problem might exist for Paul to recommend this vitamin?
Answer the following.
3. Philippians 2:3
   Philippians 2:3 
 All 
KJV: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Greek: μηδεν κατα κατ εριθειαν η μηδε κατα κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων
Latin: nihil per contentionem neque per inanem gloriam sed in humilitate superiores sibi invicem arbitrantes
4. Strife and vain glory
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; … [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

What does it mean "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory"?

Is there an intersection between "strife" and "vainglory"?

It might help to have a better definition of each.
5. Nothing
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 Let nothing be done … [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

DigitsThe ancient Greek word "μηδέν" ≈ "nothing" and means, literally, "not one". The modern Greek word "μηδέν" (mee-THEHN) ≈ "zero, nothing".

How does one think about "nothing"?

Kanisza TriangleOne sees a Kanizsa triangle but it does not exist. The idea of "nothing" does not exist. It is just the perceived absence of what would otherwise be there. The philosophical question is "Do holes exist?".

Information sign More: Kanizsa triangle: seeing what is not there
6. Nothing but a shadow
Verse routeColossians 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. [kjv]
Verse routeα εστιν σκια των μελλοντων το δε σωμα του χριστου [gnt]

Keyhole Donut and hole

Examples of "nothing" or "holes". A "shadow" is like a "hole" in that it cannot exist without some physical object and some "true light" source. A "false light" is "darkness". A "shadow" has philosophical connections with Plato.

The Cat Stevens song "Moon shadow" comes indirectly from the sun.
7. Colossians 2:17

   Colossians 2:17 
 All 
KJV: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Greek: α εστιν σκια των μελλοντων το δε σωμα του χριστου
8. Strongs - nothing
9. Strife
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; … [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

In English, one thinks of "strife" as contentious disagreements.

Vertical horns Eristic logic
The Greek word translated as "strife" had a meaning, from Aristotle, of that of "eristic" reasoning which was not valid and which created disagreement and contention and strife.

Information sign More: Eristic reasoning creates strife and contention
10. Usage - eristic
Word usage per chapter Words: ερεθιζετε εριδες εριδι εριδος εριθεια εριθειαι=2 εριθειαν=2 εριθειας=2 εριν=2 ερις=4 ερισει ηρεθισεν

11. Song: Gloria Patria
The English word "glory" comes from the Latin as a translation of the Greek word for "glory" which originally meant "opinion" and/or "appearance".

The very short and anonymous hymn "Gloria Patria" is often sung as part of worship services.

Here is a representative Greek text.
12. Verse
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost,
as it was in the beginning,
is now and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
13. Strife
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; … [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

In English, one thinks of "vainglory" as promoting one's personal puffed-up opinion as in "excessive vanity".

The Greek word translated as "vainglory" comes from two Greek words.
14. Usage - vainglory
The Greek for "vainglory", as in "empty opinion" or "empty appearance", is used by Paul only in Galatians and Philippians.

Word usage per chapter Words: κενοδοξιαν κενοδοξοι

Man is the measure of all things. Protagoras, Greek sophist (humanist).

That is, man is the ultimate source of (relative) morality rather than a god with unchanging moral rules.
15. Vainglory video game
Logo: Vainglory video gameThere is a "Vainglory" video game. (as of 2022-10-10)

The web site is at https://vainglorygame.com/.
16. Man as a measure
Foot ruler
The ancient Greek word "μέτρον" ≈ "measure, distance".
The ancient Greek word "δόξα" ≈ "opinion, expectation" had a philosophical meaning of "opinion" as in Plato's character "Πρωταγόρας" ≈ "Protagoras" (c. 490 - 420 BC) who says that "πάντων χρημάτων ἄνθρωπον μέτρον εἶναι " ≈ "man is the measure of all things".

That is, man is the ultimate source of (relative) morality rather than a god with unchanging moral rules. This is often taken as a statement about relativism and humanism and is counter to knowledge and philosophical wisdom.

An associated meaning was that of "appearance" where "opinion" and "appearance" often go together.

Information sign More: Equivocation deception between names and meanings
17. Taken together
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; … [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

Taking into account the Greek meaning, audience and philosophical history of the words, one has the following. Discussion: Why might a church organization not want to emphasis the dangers of "invalid reasoning" or "personal opinion" (which could come from the leaders of the church itself)?
18. Thought experiment
Projection with strife and others 2Suppose someone comes into an existing church and, using valid logical reasoning, tries to show that what is being taught is not in line with the Jesus and/or the Bible.

Some people start to see what has happened and agree while some people like what has been taught in the past.

Vertical spots Seek, not zeal, damage grouped Vertical horns Eristic logic


Information sign More: Philippians 2:1-2 consolation
19. Thought experiment
Which of the following is easier for the church leaders?
1. Have an open and fair debate in what might be valid and what might be invalid and what is personal opinion and what is not personal opinion.

2. Say that that person is creating "strife" in the congregation and is full of "vain glory" for themselves.
20. Back reference
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; … [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

Verse route1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: [kjv]

Syllogism of Paul plainThis verse appears to refer to a previous verse.
21. Strongs - eristic reasoning
22. Strongs - empty opinion
23. Lowliness of mind
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 … but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

What does it mean "in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves"?

The Greek for "lowliness of mind" is that of "humble prudence". One must always consider that one may be incorrect.

Information sign More: A wise fool should not be prudish about being prudent
Chess pieces Chess pieces
The letter introduction includes "bishops" and "deacons". Might they be too "high-minded" thinking themselves better than others?
24. Lead the way
Ask seek knockWhat the KJV (King James Version) translates as (passive) "esteem" is the more active ancient Greek word "ἡγέομαι" ≈ "go before, lead the way, guide". This Greek word is related to the following where the leading "s" had disappeared from the Greek word.
25. Strongs - humility
26. Strongs - lead the way
27. Usage - lead the way
Word usage per chapter Words: ηγεισθαι ηγεισθε=2 ηγεισθωσαν ηγημαι=2 ηγησαμενος=2 ηγησαμην=2 ηγησασθε ηγησατο=3 ηγουμαι=3 ηγουμενοι=2 ηγουμενοις ηγουμενον ηγουμενος=3 ηγουμενους=2 ηγουμενων ηγουνται

The Greek word is related to the modern Greek word "ηγεμόνας" (ee-y-MO-nas) ≈ "leader, ruler" and is related to the English word "hegomony" which comes from the ancient Greek word "ἡγεμονία" ≈ "supremacy, leadership".

The choice of words for "esteem" appears to be a play on words with the leadership of the church.

That is, Paul says one thing, but the play on two words appears to indicate what they are doing instead.

Each "bishop" (and others) should take the (active) lead in doing this. What exactly is "better"?
28. Surpassing
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 … but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

Paul uses this word for "surpassing" in Philippians 4 times but only 2 times elsewhere in the GNT (Greek New Testament). The word appears to be translated in different ways in different verses.

Word usage per chapter Words: υπερεχον υπερεχοντας υπερεχοντι υπερεχουσα υπερεχουσαις

29. Surpassing
The ancient Greek word " ὑπέροχος" ≈ "superior" while the ancient Greek word "ὑπερέχω" ≈ "be better", literally, "hold over", and comes from two Greek words.
It appears that Paul is using a word to mean one thing as to what the church leadership should be doing whereas the play on words says what they are actually doing.

The modern Greek word "υπέροχος" (ee-PEH-ro-khos) ≈ "excellent".
30. Double meaning
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 … but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

Greek: "let each lead the way in holding others over themselves".
The play on words appears to say "let the rulers be superior to others" (as by contrast pointing out what they are actually doing). The root word for "bishop" is in the next sentence as "look" as in "you bishops". Interestingly, the very next word in the next sentence is "not".
31. Strongs - surpassing
32. Lowliness of mind
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 … but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]

That is, one is not deferring on the validity of valid or invalid (eristic and argumentative) logical arguments.

It may be necessary, as Paul does, to state a viewpoint in order to not give the impression that one is condoning a certain viewpoint.
33. Proof by contradiction
A proof by contradiction assumes the opposite of something as true, then shows that that assumed opposite is not true (or does not work as expected), which means that the original something must be true (or works as expected).

What would happen if "in highness of mind, let each esteem himself or herself better than others"?
34. Things and looks
Verse routePhilippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [kjv]

How can one look on the things of others rather than his own things? Both "things" are implied. Non-material things are included.

Two lawsThis appears to be a statement of "love your neighbor as yourself".

In one way, one should try to see things as others see them. One might be wrong about one's assumptions.
35. Look
Verse routePhilippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [kjv]

Bishop in scopeThe Greek word "look" is from "σκοπός" ≈ "watcher, target" which is the origin of the English word "scope".
This is the root word of "bishop" or "overseer" or "visitor" as in "ἐπίσκοποι" ≈ "bishops" as in the greeting in verse 1:1.

What Paul wrote is not the usual way to say "look". Might this "look" be targeted (another meaning of Greek "scope") for the bishops?
36. Strongs - Look
37. Scope
ScopeThis word for "look" or "consider" that is based on the word "scope" appears twice in Philippians. Is Paul targeting the "bishops" since "scope" is the root word in "bishop"?

Word usage per chapter Words: σκοπει σκοπειν σκοπειτε σκοπουντες σκοπουντων σκοπων

38. Look again
Bishop in scopePaul uses these similar sounding words in Philippians.
Similar sounding words in Philippians
*;Greek;English;Where
1;ἐπίσκοποις;bishops;1:1
1;ἀπροσκοποί;without offenses;1:10
0;ἀπρόκοποι;without work;inferred
2;προκοπην;furtherance;1:12  1:25
1;ἐπίσκοποις;visit;Job 7:18 from 1:28
2;σκοπειτε;look  target;2:4  3:17
1;εκοπιασα;labored;2:16
1;σκοπον;target;3:14
39. Philippians 2:4
   Philippians 2:4 
 All 
KJV: Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Hebrew: כל אחד אל ידאג לאשר לו לבדו כי אם גם לאשר לחברו׃
Greek: μη τα εαυτων εκαστοι εκαστος σκοπειτε σκοπουντες αλλα και τα ετερων εκαστος εκαστοι
40. Example
Verse routePhilippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [kjv]

Do we have an example of this? Yes. Paul provides one in the next verse.

Verse route2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [kjv]

The Greek for "mind" is that of being "prudent" or "sensible".

Information sign More: A wise fool should not be prudish about being prudent
41. Philippians 2:5
   Philippians 2:5 
 All 
KJV: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Greek: τουτο γαρ φρονεισθω φρονειτε εν υμιν ο και εν χριστω ιησου
42. Review
Verse routePhilippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. [kjv]
Verse routeμηδεν κατ εριθειαν κενοδοξιαν αλλα τη ταπεινοφροσυνη αλληλους ηγουμενοι υπερεχοντας εαυτων [gnt]
Verse route2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. [kjv]
Verse route2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [kjv]

Some of the play on words used by Paul in these verses will show up in a more appropriate context in later verses in this letter.
43. End of page
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640