[testallthings]

Philippians 2:4


Not regarding each his own 1 virtues, but each the 1 virtues of others also.

4.1*Lit., things; referring to virtues and qualities. We should regard not only our own virtues and qualities but also those of others. (The New Testament Recovery Version, Revised edition 1991, published by Living Stream Ministry, Aneheim, California)


The first thing we notice is that the RcV transaltion of this verse is quite unusual. What I mean is that it is probably the only one that adds the word virtues. This is probably W. Lee undertanding of the passage which I had preferred printend in italics. It is true that in the footnote to Philippians 2:4 he gives the lit. translation and then his interpretation. In it he also mentions qualities. That's how Darby renders this verse, “regarding not each his own qualities , but each those of others also”. (Quoted from e-Sword. In the printed Bible he puts qualities in square brackets). It seems clear that for the translation of this verse W. Lee relied on Darby's translation. Darby, however, in his footnote for the word qualities states that it can also mean advantages. One thing is clear that the translation of this verse is somehow a difficult task, not just for Darby or Lee, but for all Bible translators in general (some have used profits, private good, concerns, care, and others simply things).

I have been pondering over this verse for a while, reading again every epistle of Paul (and of course Philippians) and other passages in the New Testament that might shed some light on this verse. After this instructive reading, I have the impression that virtues (moral excellence), qualities (personal trait, especially a character trait), profit, care and concerns are possibly acceptable interpretations though not the only ones. First, let us consider the immediate context.
Php 2:3 let nothing be in the spirit of strife or vain glory, but, in lowliness of mind, each esteeming the other as more excellent than themselves;
Php 2:4 regarding not each his own qualities , but each those of others also.
Php 2:5 For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus;
Php 2:6 who, subsisting in the form of God, did not esteem it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God;
Php 2:7 but emptied himself, taking a bondman's form...(Darby).
Verse 3 speaks of esteeming others (to me this seems to indicate something more than just virtues) as more excellent than ourselves. Verse 6 gives us the example of the Lord Jesus Himself. Without trying to get too much into the analysis of the kenosis of our Lord, one thing seems clear, He abandoned (for a while) His high position to become a servant. It was the Lord Jesus Himself, as it is recorded in the Gospel of John chapter 13, that gave the disciple a humbling lesson. After He had finished washing their feet He said, Joh 13:13 Ye call me the Teacher and the Lord, and ye say well, for I am so . Joh 13:14 If I therefore, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet; Joh 13:15 for I have given you an example that, as I have done to you, ye should do also. Joh 13:16 Verily, verily, I say to you, The bondman is not greater than his lord, nor the sent greater than he who has sent him. Joh 13:17 If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them. (Darby) To be Teacher or Lord has nothing to do with virtues but it is a matter of position. I guess many messages have been spoken and printed about this passage and how to wash one another's feet. I think, the most important lesson for the disciples, and for all of us alike, is that we should give up our high position, whatever that position might be (teacher, apostle, prophet...) if we really want to be in a “position” (that of a servant) to wash one another's feet (of course there is another aspect to this truth as seen in the life of Paul who in some cases exercised and in other did not exercised his apostolic authority).

Another passage that seems to support this “interpretation” is 1 Corinthians 12. As we all know there is one body but many members and each member is different from another having received a special gift or function from God. This different “position” (apostle, prophet, teacher...) should not cause the members of the one Body to either dispair of his gift or exalt himself over other members. ( 1Co 12:15 If the foot say, Because I am not a hand I am not of the body, is it on account of this not indeed of the body?
1Co 12:21 The eye cannot say to the hand, I have not need of thee; or again, the head to the feet, I have not need of you.) No, every member should care for the other members, honoring them, to maintain the unity of the Body. The same thought is expressed in Romans 12 (Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace which has been given to me, to every one that is among you, not to have high thoughts above what he should think; but to think so as to be wise, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith.
Rom 12:4 For, as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office; Rom 12:16 Have the same respect one for another, not minding high things, but going along with the lowly: be not wise in your own eyes). We should not think highly of ourselves or of our office but we should honor the other members. There are some more passages but this post is already long.

I am still meditating over Philippians 2. Maybe what I said is nothing but speculation and as such you know what to do with it.