Empty conceit (2754) (kenodoxia from kenos = empty, vain, hollow, groundless + doxa = glory, praise or opinion) is used only here in the NT and literally means “vain glory”, "empty praise" or "hollow opinion" all describing in essence something which has an appearance but lacks the reality. It is a graphic description of the glory this world affords us which to the natural man appears "beautiful" and desirable, but which is literally devoid of any good or any eternal value. Kenodoxia describes the person who is conceited without reason, deluded, ambitious for his own reputation, challenging others to rivalry, jealous himself and willing to fight to prove his idea is right. The idea of kenodoxia includes a highly exaggerated self-view. It is a passion for empty personal glory which contrasts sharply with humility. It is that attitude of personal vanity and self-promotion, as might be seen for example in someone in a position of leadership, who is trying to build a personal following for their own faction, and by so doing does not manifest love of the brethren or love of Christ but to promote themselves. John gives us an example of such a person writing that... Diotrephes...loves to be first (he sought preeminence) among (the church and) does not accept what we say (his desire for preeminence led him to discount the doctrine taught by John)" (3John 1:9) Although James doesn't use the word kenodoxia, he does describe the essence of empty glory and it's passing "fruit" declaring that... "the sun rises with a scorching wind, and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away." (James 1:11) Indeed, one day (soon) all the glory of natural, unregenerate men will wither away like a scorched flower when the light of God's glory rises over the whole earth (cf Hab 2:14). In that fateful day all the glory of men will be seen as absolutely vain and empty. Jesus contrasted empty conceit (vainglory) with eternal glory asking.... "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? (John 5:44) To live for the empty glory of this day is a hollow pursuit. It is notable that the root word kenos when used not of things but of persons, predicates not merely an absence and emptiness of good, but, since the moral nature of man endures no vacuum, the presence of evil. KJV translates it "vainglory" which is defined as an excessive or ostentatious pride especially in one’s own achievements. Persons who seek to advance themselves usually enjoy glorying in their success. But there can be no genuine joy in the life of a Christian who puts "self" above "others". Paul says saints are to have nothing to do with the pursuit of personal praise, which is the motivation or root cause of their selfish ambition (cf "selfish ambition" in Php 1:17-note). Paul uses the related adjective kenodoxos in (Gal 5:25, 26-note) to help us understand what it means to walk in the Spirit writing that "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful (kenodoxos), challenging one another, envying one another." The sad truth is that the man who is wrapped up in himself makes a pretty small package! MacArthur explains how kenodoxia contrasts with "self ambition" (eritheia)... Whereas selfish ambition pursues personal goals, empty conceit seeks personal glory and acclaim. The former pertains to personal accomplishments; the latter to an over inflated self-image. Understandably, a person with such conceit considers himself always to be right and expects others to agree with him. The only unity he seeks or values is centered on himself. (MacArthur, J. Philippians. Chicago: Moody Press) Vine adds "There are true grounds for Christian glorying (Php 3:3), but these are not found in the man himself, nor in his religious attainments, nor in the observance of laws and ordinances, but in what he is by God’s grace and what God’s grace does through him. Empty glory, or conceit, is carnal and stupid." The NIV Study Bible rightly calls selfishness (selfish ambition) and empty conceit "The mortal enemies of unity and harmony in the church." Barnes writes that the essence of kenodoxia "seems to be that of mere self-esteem; a mere desire to honor ourselves, to attract attention, to win praise, to make ourselves uppermost, or foremost, or the main object. The command here solemnly forbids our doing anything with such an aim - no matter whether it be in intellectual attainments, in physical strength, in skill in music, in eloquence or song, in dress, furniture, or religion. Self is not to be foremost; selfishness is not to be the motive. Probably there is no command of the Bible which would have a wider sweep than this, or would touch on more points of human conduct, it fairly applied. Who is there who passes a single day without, in some respect, desiring to display himself? What minister of the gospel preaches, who never has any wish to exhibit his talents, eloquence, or learning? How few make a gesture, but with some wish to display the grace or power with which it is done! Who, in conversation, is always free from a desire to show his wit, or his power in argumentation, or his skill in repartee? Who plays at the piano without the desire of commendation? Who thunders in the senate, or goes to the field of battle; who builds a house, or purchases an article of apparel; who writes a book, or performs a deed of benevolence, altogether uninfluenced by this desire? If all could be taken out of human conduct which is performed merely from “strife,” or from “vain-glory,” how small a portion would be left!" BUT WITH HUMILITY OF MIND: alla te tapeinophrosune: (Lk 14:7-11; 18:14; Ro 12:10; 1Co 15:9; Eph 4:2; 5:21; 1Pet 5:5) (See Torrey's Topic "Humility") but in lowliness of mind. (Wuest), instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) (Amp) Now Paul proceeds to give the Scriptural "antidote" for selfish ambition and the pursuit of empty glory. We are to view others as being "held above" and thereby to hold ourselves as lower than them, which is exactly the opposite of what our flesh nature (see note on the "flesh") desires to do. But (235) (alla) is an adversative (expresses antithesis or contrast) particle indicating a difference with or contrast to what precedes. Paul contrasts the preceding two "negatives" with a "positive" exhortation to pursue humility. Humility before God and man is a virtue every child of God needs to strive for and which will go far toward minimizing and removing disharmony in the body of Christ. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/philippians_23-4.htm#conceit