“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others — the distribution of attention between 'own interests' (ta heautou) and 'interests of others' (ta heterōn) is not equal but skewed: both matter, but others' interests receive equal or greater weight. 'Look to' (skopein) is intentional focus, not accidental regard. This mirrors the Christ-hymn's movement: from equality with God to concern for humanity's redemption. Interest is redirected from self to other.
Church Fathers on Philippians 2:3
There is nothing better, there is nothing more affectionate, than a spiritual teacher; such an one surpasses the kindness of any natural father. Do but consider, how this blessed one entreats the Philippians concerning the things which were to their own advantage. What says he, in exhorting them concerning concord, that cause of all good things? See how earnestly, how vehemently, with how much sympathy he speaks, “If there be therefore any comfort in Christ,” that is, if you…
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