Paul implores his readers in this passage to strive after one fundamental thing. He wants them on the same page, being unified in this one specific purpose: being Christlike. Being like Christ has many aspects to it. It certainly includes the things I do (my behavior), but it’s also who I am as a person (my thinking). Paul begins Philippians Chapter 2 with an attitude check that should result in how we act toward others.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ~ Philippians 2:3-4
Selfishness
The sense of this word describes someone who is in pursuit of a political office, who goes after that position by means of unfairness and trickery. It is someone who misrepresents who they are, putting themselves forward by any means that may bring about their own success. As is the case for any selfish person, they are always putting themselves first at the expense of anyone in their path. Self-promotion, self-preservation, self-congratulation, all characterize this individual.
Empty Conceit
The King James Bible uses the term ‘vainglory’, which is the old school way of saying ‘vanity’. The Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines it as ‘exclusive vanity excited by one’s own performances’. It is selfishness taken to the next level. Empty conceit is groundless self-esteem, rooted in pride. It is selfish ambition and self exaltation. A person driven by these types of motives is one who is not seeking after the glory of God, but rather their own glory. The phrase in the second half of Proverbs 25:27 says that it is not glory for a man to seek his own glory.
Putting selfishness and empty conceit under the microscope of examination reveals what loathsome character qualities they are. They are the equivalent of contending against God. It is God alone who deserves the attention and praise of men, but we’re guilty of seeking that glory for ourselves. Paul says to stop! Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit.
Instead, we are to genuinely think of others as being more important than ourselves, looking to their interests much more than our own. Viewing others in this way requires humility because we can no longer consider ourselves as being ‘number one’. Our former inclination to self-exaltation is replaced with a strong desire to promote the welfare of those around us because, in our new way of thinking, their concerns are more important than ours. Humility is not something that we muster up on our own, but the mind that is receptive to the enabling work of the Holy Spirit will see others in this way.
Becoming more like Christ requires the elimination of selfishness. It demands that we put empty conceit to death. It requires our personal interests be put aside. And it requires the interest of others to be paramount.
Establish my footsteps in Your Word ~ Psalm 119:133 