An Explanation of Leviticus (2)

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,   Philippians 2:3-5  NASB

Selfishness – Ah, it seems so clear, at least in writing.  But even the word here is, ah, not quite what we thought.  In spite of the fact that there are no examples in classical Greek, this very rare word apparently originally was tied to the day worker.  It describes the “attitude or disposition of the day-labourer.”[1]  In the writings of the philosophers, this word becomes a description of those who work for their own interests, that is, like the day-laborer they are preoccupied with their own ambitions.  The epithos in a person is concerned with personal gain and willing to do whatever it takes to bring it about.  As Büchsel notes, the word “had no more than the general sense of baseness, self-interest, ambition, contention, etc.”[2]

Now we may amplify Paul’s statement.  “Not a single time direct your action and attitude from the desire for self-interest.”  Or as Luzzatto might explain, “Nothing must find its origin in the drive of the yetzer ha’ra for self-protection or gain.”  It’s not the outward action, the observable behavior, that’s in focus here.  It’s the motivation.  Suddenly the examination that must accompany worship of the Father is applied to interactions with others.  It is no longer sufficient to fulfill the outward requirement.  Now that fulfillment must arise from a heart empty of selfish desire.

“We do best to see a reference to the despicable nature of those who do not strive after glory, honour and immortality by perseverance in good works,”[3] not determined by the frame of our human existence but by the values of the Kingdom.

There is nothing easy here.  How many of our noble efforts, our supposed actions on behalf of others are still tinged with a calculation of what gain it will bring or how it will serve to protect our fragile egos?  How many times have we caught ourselves thinking of the results for us rather than a pure intention to help another?  And when it comes to our emotions, how often have those deeper “needs” really been the things that propel our acts?  So much of what we do seems to be driven by our desires, even when the outward acts appear to be primarily of benefit to our neighbor or spouse or child.  Purity of heart is rare indeed, and for that reason, all the more important.  To have the mind of the Master is much more than to fulfill the outward requirements of the Torah.  It is to act like God because we think and feel like God.

May the Spirit help us.

Topical Index:  selfishness, epithos, day-laborer, motivation, emotions, Philippians 2:3-5

[1] epitheia, TDNT, Vol. 2, p. 660.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.