Tag Archives: Philippians 2:3

Higher than Self: Grammar and Humility in Philippians 2:3

Posted on March 2, 2023 by New Testament Greek
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.”… Learn Koine Greek
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Humility in Greek: A Grammatical Bridge from Classical to Koine in Philippians 2:3

Posted on December 1, 2019 by New Testament Greek
1. Verse Reference : Philippians 2:3

μηδὲν κατὰ ἐριθείαν ἢ κενοδοξίαν, ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ ἀλλήλους ἡγούμενοι ὑπερέχοντας ἑαυτῶν.

Literal Translation: Nothing according to selfish ambition or vain-glory, but in humility considering one another as surpassing themselves.

2. Key Grammatical Features in Koine Greek μηδὲν: A neuter accusative pronoun often used with implied verbs (like “do”)—a feature increasingly common in Koine, where elliptical constructions are more accepted. κατὰ + accusative: This construction expresses measure or standard (“according to”). It exists in Classical Greek but gains moral-ethical nuance in Koine writings. ἢ: Classical and Koine Greek both use this as “or,” but in Koine, it more frequently connects moral or rhetorical contrasts (ἐριθεία vs.… Learn Koine Greek
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