Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

TAPEINOPHROSUNE* - Part 3 - εχηγεομαι (Strong's #1834)
Humbleness, lowliness, humbleness of mind

Please note that all Biblical quotes are presented from the Literal Translation.

This week we conclude our study of ταπεινοφροσὺνη (Strong's #5012), a word that represents a humble frame of mind or attitude, which has been matured through the humbling process of life's experiences. It expresses the attitude of mind that is the end result, the goal, of the maturation process.

Last week, we studied this same word as part of the vocabulary Paul used to describe the maturity of mind required of believers before their existing spiritual unity in Christ can be manifested on earth and experienced among the brethren. Paul encourages believers to walk worthily of the calling of which they are called (Ephesians 4:1-3). He says that a believer's walk is to be accompanied by a humble frame of mind, which has been developed through submission to God's humbling process. Paul lists the condition of humble mindedness as necessary to balance out or equal the calling of which believers are called.

This week's study is also taken from Paul's writings, as he once again touches on humble mindedness. He is addressing Philippian believers.
Philippians 2:1-3

1)

Therefore if there exists^F1 any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of Spirit, if any affections and mercies,

2)

fulfill my joy, that you should think the same thing, having the same love, being souls together, thinking the one thing;

3)

doing^F2 nothing according to self-ambition or vain glory, but in humble mindedness (ταπεινοφροσὺνη) considering one another as surpassing themselves,

Conditions of Fellowship

In Philippians 2:1, Paul lists four conditions of fellowship. Each condition begins with the Greek conjunction εἱ (Strong's #1487), which is translated "if." As it is used within this verse, in all four instances, εἱ indicates the first class condition assumed to be true. The English equivalent for this word, which is translated here as "if," would be the word "since." Therefore, those listening to Paul understood him to say, "Since there exists encouragement in Christ, since any comfort of love exists, since any fellowship of Spirit exists, since any affections and mercies exist…" By stating these four conditions as first class conditions assumed to be true, Paul is expressing that encouragement, comfort of love, fellowship of Spirit, and affections and mercies already exist among believers. Based upon this understanding, he then commands them to fulfill his joy.

The Command

Paul's command to the Philippian believers is found in verse 2. The Greek word used here for "fulfill" is the imperative or command form of πληρὸω (Strong's #4137), which relates to filling something to fullness or bringing something to completion. Paul already has expressed joy over them in Philippians 1:4, but now he is calling for them to bring his joy to completion (to fullness).

Content of Paul's Joy

Paul uses the conjunction ἵνα (Strong's #2443)—translated "that"—with the subjunctive mood to express what will bring his joy to completion. He says, "that you should think the same thing…" The Greek word he uses for "should think" is the subjunctive form of φρονὲω (Strong's #5426), which literally has to do with the frame of mind. It is also one of the words used to form our study word, ταπεινοφροσὺνη. Paul is indicating that his joy would be brought to completion by them being of one frame of mind (having the same mindset), thinking the same thing. He then lists three characteristics that describe the "same thing" which should define their mindset.

Characteristics of "the Same Thing"

These three characteristics are found in verse 3. The first is "having the same love." The word Paul uses for love is ἀγὰπη (Strong's #26). This indicates that not all Christians have the same ἀγὰπη. Some ἀγὰπη is produced by human effort and some ἀγὰπη is wought by God's Spirit (see Galatians 5:22). In this verse, Paul is calling for believers to have the same love, love that is produced by God's Spirit.

The second is "being souls together…" This expression has to do with functioning together according to the unity of "soul" (or mind), the unity in Christ that binds together all believers.

The third thing is "thinking the one thing…" Again Paul uses the verb φρονὲω (Strong's #5426), "mindset," or "frame of mind," but this time it is in the participial form indicating that Christians are to continually have a mindset on the one thing, the Lord. Paul then presents a contrast.

Contrasting Statement

This statement is found in verse 3. Paul says that Christians should do nothing according to self-ambition or vainglory; instead, they should do everything in humble mindedness (ταπεινοφροσὺνη), each considering the other as surpassing themselves. The word translated "surpassing" is ὑπερὲχω (Strong's #5242). It expresses the idea of placing a value of superiority on another person.

In these Philippian verses, as well as in those from Ephesians, Paul presents that the successful functioning of the Body of Christ requires that every believer have a humble frame of mind (or mindset). We have seen, through our study of the words related to humbleness, that a process is involved in bringing each of us to the end state of humbleness, Christian maturity. This humbling process requires time, because the resulting maturity is formed only through much experience. This process and its end result is not something we can force or produce; it can only be the result of God's transforming work being done in us.

It is important for Christians to realize that the Lord uses His humbling process to break down our flesh so that we become vessels fit for His use. Only in submitting to Him and to His humbling process, can His grace flow in and through us. The result of His work in us is a maturity of attitude and mind, which allows us to humbly function within the Body of Christ, genuinely esteeming all others above ourselves. This maturity of mind allows us to experience, and manifest to others, that unity which already exists spiritually among all believers in Christ.

* TAPEINOPHROSUNE is the English font spelling of the Greek word ταπεινοφροσὺνη.

Technical Notes:

F1: ὑπὰρχει, "there exists" is the implied verb.

F2: ποιοῦντες, "doing" is the implied participle.

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