In Greek, no verb appears in the first half of this verse, yet the construction (literally, “nothing according to partisanship nor according to vainglory”) carries an imperative force (cf. Gal 5.13). On the basis of the preceding verse, some commentators suggest that one should supply the verb “think” or “contemplate,” that is, “think nothing” or “contemplate nothing.” However, don’t do anything or “do nothing” (Revised Standard Version cf. Phillips New American Bible “never act”) seems to bring out the sense more forcefully. From has the sense of “on the principles of,” “from motives of” (cf. Phillips Barclay). The noun rendered selfish ambition has already appeared in 1.17. It describes a desire to do things for selfish purposes which result in creating a partisan spirit. From selfish ambition may be expressed as “simply because you want things for yourselves,” or “because of what you yourselves desire.”
A cheap desire to boast translates a single Greek noun which means “vainglory.” It appears only here in the New Testament (the corresponding adjective is used in Gal 5.26, where it is rendered “be proud” by Good News Translation), and suggests a conceit that is groundless (cf. Barclay “the conceited desire for empty prestige”). In some languages from a cheap desire to boast may be expressed as “simply because you wish to show off,” “because you are so proud of yourselves,” or “because you want people to know how great you think you are.”
The antidote to a cheap desire to boast is to be humble toward one another (literally, “in lowliness of mind”). “Humility” is one of the most important Christian moral attitudes. The Greek moralists regarded humility as the subservient attitude of a lower-class person, an attitude of abject self-abasement. But in the New Testament, based on the example of Christ (cf. 2.8), humility acquires a positive meaning, connoting the lowly service done by a noble person. Humility before God, a recognition of one’s utter dependence on him, leads to humility in one’s relations with his fellowmen (1 Peter 5.5-6). One aspect of humility is selflessness. Be humble toward one another is sometimes expressed negatively as “do not be proud of yourselves.” In some instances one may introduce a verb of activity and so translate “act toward each other in a humble way,” or “… as a humble person.”
The final phrase of verse 3 defines essentially what humility is, always considering others better than yourselves. In some instances the translation may require an expression of direct discourse, for example, “always think, Others are better than I am.” Again, however, the meaning may sometimes be expressed by a negative formulation, for example, “never think that you are better than others are.” This particular rendering is really not as strong as the original text would imply.
Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .