Philippians 2:3
μηδὲν κατὰ ἐριθείαν ἢ κενοδοξίαν, ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ ἀλλήλους ἡγούμενοι ὑπερέχοντας ἑαυτῶν.
Modern Greek Pronunciation: mi̱thén katà eritheían ē kenodoxían, allà ti̱ tapeinophrosýni̱ allḗlous ēgoúmenoi yperéchontas heautōn.
Literal English Translation: Doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but in humility regarding one another as more important than yourselves.
Koine Grammar Breakdown
- μηδὲν – accusative neuter singular, functioning adverbially: “nothing.”
- κατὰ ἐριθείαν ἢ κενοδοξίαν – “according to selfish ambition or vain glory”;
– ἐριθείαν = strife, rivalry;
– κενοδοξίαν = empty pride, vanity. - ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ – “but in humility”; dative of means or manner.
- ἀλλήλους – accusative masculine plural, reciprocal pronoun: “one another.”
- ἡγούμενοι – present middle participle nominative masculine plural from ἡγέομαι, “regarding, considering.”
- ὑπερέχοντας – present active participle accusative masculine plural from ὑπερέχω, “being superior, surpassing.”
- ἑαυτῶν – genitive reflexive pronoun plural: “than yourselves.”
Modern Greek Rendering
Μην κάνετε τίποτα από αντιζηλία ή ματαιοδοξία, αλλά με ταπεινοφροσύνη να θεωρείτε ο ένας τον άλλον ανώτερο από τον εαυτό σας.
Key Shifts Observed
- μηδὲν → μην κάνετε τίποτα: Infinitival/accusative concept expanded into full imperative clause.
- κατὰ ἐριθείαν → από αντιζηλία: Preposition κατὰ replaced by από; word ἐριθεία rendered as αντιζηλία.
- κενοδοξίαν → ματαιοδοξία: Vocabulary adjusted with modern equivalent.
- ἡγούμενοι → να θεωρείτε: Participial clause becomes subjunctive with να.
- ὑπερέχοντας ἑαυτῶν → ανώτερο από τον εαυτό σας: Comparative participle restructured with adjective + comparison phrase.
Grammar Comparison Table
| Feature | Koine Greek | Modern Greek | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adverbial “Nothing” | μηδὲν | μην κάνετε τίποτα | Expanded into verb phrase in modern syntax |
| Cause/Source Phrase | κατὰ ἐριθείαν | από αντιζηλία | Prepositional structure simplified |
| Participle “considering” | ἡγούμενοι | να θεωρείτε | Participle replaced with full subjunctive clause |
| Comparative construction | ὑπερέχοντας ἑαυτῶν | ανώτερο από τον εαυτό σας | Participial comparison restructured into adjective + comparison phrase |
The Language of Humility
Philippians 2:3 commands not just a mindset but a grammar of others-first living. Koine Greek builds that ethic with compact clauses, participles, and layers of contrast. Modern Greek, ever more linear and relational, opens those structures to greater clarity and accessibility. But the humility remains: do nothing out of ego, and lift others higher than yourself — in every age, in every syntax.
