Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude (Philippians 3:15, NASB1995).
When I was growing up, I heard this a lot, “Grant, you have a bad attitude.” Even as a pastor for 49 years, rarely did someone say, “Pastor Grant, you have a great attitude.”
HHHHMMMHHM! Perhaps I need to learn what the Bible says about “attitude.” Maybe you do, too!
The word for “attitude” in the Greek means “thoughts from your inner being and emotional personality.” The word indicates correct thoughts and feelings.
In English we usually separate the two as we talk about our “thoughts” and about our “feelings.” Our language makes us bipolar, while the New Testament uses one word that unites both concepts.
Bible translators should have our sympathy as it’s difficult to capture what was expressed in the Greek adequately in English. With this Greek word, they must find a word that indicates both healthy “EI” (emotional intelligence) and thoughtful “IQ” (rational intelligence).
I’m sure some of these scholars have a bad attitude at the end of the day after nitpicking nuances of Greek to English.
While the New American Standard Bible says, “Have this attitude,” in Philippians 3:15, the English Standard Version says, “Let those of us who are mature think this way.”
Putting both the New American Standard Version and the English Standard Version together, we can conclude that we should think right Biblically and not have temper tantrums!
Now once scholars decide on their favorite two words to translate the Greek word for emotions/thinking with “attitude” and “mature” in Philippians 3:15, they then have their mature attitude challenged again by the Apostle Paul in the Book of Philippians.
The Apostle Paul gets stuck on the Greek word for “attitude/mature” by using this Greek word ten times in Philippians. Now, the scholars can’t sleep at night because in order to translate the Greek word in context in the other verses of Philippians, they use varying words or phrases along with “attitude” in the New American Standard Version.
And to be honest, I was getting a bad attitude just looking up all usages, definitions, and phrases of this one word in the Book of Philippians.
Below are translations of one word in just the New American Standard Version 1995 (and they are different in other versions!) …
- Have this attitude (Philippians 3:15).
- It is right for me to feel this way (Philippians 1:7).
- Being of the same mind (Philippians 2:2).
- Intent on one purpose (Philippians 2:2).
- Have this attitude … different attitude (Philippians 3:15).
- Who set their minds on earthly things (Philippians 3:19).
- Live in harmony (Philippians 4:2).
- You have revived your concern for me … you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity (Philippians 4:10).
Just one word from the Greek is translated as attitude, mature, feel, same mind, intent, set their minds, live in harmony, and concern in the Book of Philippians. It would be a lot easier if we all spoke Greek! But then the “bad attitude” academic types would need to find new jobs.
I think we can solve the conundrum of the various usages of this word by reading this verse where the word is found in Philippians (I haven’t mentioned this verse yet as I was saving it for this moment).
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5, NASB1995).
Or …
Have this attitude, maturity, feeling, mindset, intention, focus, harmony, and concern, which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5, OGV).
I think this is the right attitude and the correct mark of maturity for all believers — especially when we disagree.
And it’s the correct attitude for Pastor Grant and for you.