unity to be sought (v. 2), Paul presents the forms of conduct and relationships to be avoided. He does so by the use of three negatives: nothing from selfishness (the word was used in 1:17 to describe the “partisan for hire” mentality of some preachers), nothing from conceit (literally “empty glory”; obviously Paul is looking ahead to his portrayal of Christ as one who emptied himself of claims to glory), and not looking after one’s own interests. The fact that Paul uses negatives does not prove