Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Through vainglory (kata kenodocian). Late word, only here in N.T., from kenodocov (kenos, doca, Galatians 5:26, only here in N.T.), empty pride.
In lowliness of mind (th tapeinofrosunh). Late and rare word. Not in O.T. or early Greek writers. In Josephus and Epictetus in bad sense (pusillanimity). For ostentatious humility in Colossians 2:18, Colossians 2:23. One of the words, like tapeinov (Matthew 11:29) and tapeinofrwn (I Peter 3:8, here alone in N.T.) that Christianity has ennobled and dignified (Acts 20:19).
Better than himself (uperexontav eautwn). Present active participle of uperexw in intransitive sense to excel or surpass with the ablative, "excelling themselves." See Romans 12:10.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Philippians 2:3:
Matthew 11:29
Philippians 3:8
Colossians 3:12
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