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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Selfishly</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/s/selfishly.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/romans/2-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/s/selfishly.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Selfishly</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/s/selfish_leadership.htm" title="Selfish Leadership">◄</a> Selfishly <a href="/topical/s/selfishness.htm" title="Selfishness">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Definition and Context:</b> <br>The term "selfishly" refers to actions or attitudes that prioritize one's own interests, desires, or well-being over those of others, often at the expense of others. In the biblical context, selfishness is generally viewed as contrary to the teachings of Scripture, which emphasize love, selflessness, and service to others.<br><br><b>Biblical References and Themes:</b><br><br>1. <b>Selfish Ambition:</b> <br> The Bible warns against selfish ambition, which is often linked to discord and strife. In <a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3</a>, Paul exhorts believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." This verse highlights the importance of humility and the need to prioritize others over oneself.<br><br>2. <b>Love and Selflessness:</b> <br> The greatest commandments, as taught by Jesus, emphasize love for God and love for neighbor (<a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-39</a>). Selfishness is antithetical to this love, which requires putting others' needs and well-being first. In <a href="/1_corinthians/13-5.htm">1 Corinthians 13:5</a>, love is described as "not self-seeking," underscoring the selfless nature of true love.<br><br>3. <b>The Example of Christ:</b> <br> Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of selflessness. <a href="/philippians/2-5.htm">Philippians 2:5-8</a> describes how Christ, though in the form of God, "emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant," and humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. Believers are called to emulate this selflessness in their own lives.<br><br>4. <b>Warnings Against Selfishness:</b> <br> <a href="/james/3-16.htm">James 3:16</a> warns, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." This passage links selfishness to chaos and moral decay, indicating the destructive nature of prioritizing self over others.<br><br>5. <b>Generosity and Sharing:</b> <br> The early church is depicted as a community that shared everything in common, as seen in <a href="/acts/4-32.htm">Acts 4:32-35</a>. This communal lifestyle reflects a rejection of selfishness and an embrace of generosity and mutual care.<br><br>6. <b>The Rich Fool:</b> <br> In <a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Luke 12:16-21</a>, Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool, who hoards his wealth without regard for others or for God. The parable serves as a cautionary tale against selfishness and the folly of storing up treasures for oneself without being "rich toward God."<br><br>7. <b>The Call to Serve:</b> <br> Jesus taught His disciples that greatness in the kingdom of God is measured by one's willingness to serve others. In <a href="/mark/10-43.htm">Mark 10:43-45</a>, He states, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all."<br><br><b>Practical Implications for Believers:</b><br><br>Believers are encouraged to examine their motives and actions, ensuring they align with the biblical call to selflessness. This involves actively seeking the welfare of others, practicing generosity, and serving within the community of faith. By doing so, Christians reflect the character of Christ and fulfill the law of love.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>(<I>adv.</I>) In a selfish manner; with regard to private interest only or chiefly.<a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/2052.htm"><span class="l">2052. eritheia -- rivalry, hence ambition</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Word Origin from erithos (day-laborer) Definition rivalry, hence ambition NASB Word<br> Usage disputes (2), selfish ambition (3), <b>selfishly</b> ambitious (1 <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2052.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 7k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/orr/food_for_the_lambs_or_helps_for_young_christians/seek_first_the_kingdom.htm"><span class="l">Seek First the Kingdom.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Instead of accounting that there is any reasonableness in such trust in God as is<br> shown in this lesson they would fain be <b>selfishly</b> taking upon themselves the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/seek first the kingdom.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_e/the_rich_fool.htm"><span class="l">The Rich Fool</span></a> <br><b>...</b> In that requirement the <b>selfishly</b> used wealth will be 'a swift witness against'<br> him, and instead of ministering to life or ease, will 'eat his flesh as fire <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the rich fool.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_f/the_king_blessing_his_people.htm"><span class="l">The King 'Blessing' his People</span></a> <br><b>...</b> But selfishness marred the divine plan, and Israel became a nonconductor, and the<br> privileges <b>selfishly</b> kept became corrupt; as the miser's corn stored in his <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king blessing his people.htm</font><p><a href="/library/rees/the_heart-cry_of_jesus/chapter_ix_prayerfulness.htm"><span class="l">Prayerfulness.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> But what is "true prayer"? In the first place, it is prayer which says, "Thy will<br> be done." If we pray <b>selfishly</b>, "asking amiss," we can hope for no answer. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter ix prayerfulness.htm</font><p><a href="/library/marshall/the_wonder_book_of_bible_stories/the_story_of_jacob.htm"><span class="l">The Story of Jacob</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It was not right for Jacob to deal so <b>selfishly</b> with his brother; but it was very<br> wrong in Esau to care so little for his birthright and God's blessing. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of jacob.htm</font><p><a href="/library/macduff/the_mind_of_jesus/first_day_compassion.htm"><span class="l">First Day. Compassion.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Property and wealth are talents to be traded on and laid out for the good of<br> others"sacred trusts, not <b>selfishly</b> to be enjoyed, but generously to be employed <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/the mind of jesus/first day compassion.htm</font><p><a href="/library/sheldon/in_his_steps/chapter_thirteen.htm"><span class="l">Chapter thirteen</span></a> <br><b>...</b> O Virginia, to think that we have all these years enjoyed our beautiful home and<br> all these luxuries <b>selfishly</b>, forgetful of the multitudes like this woman! <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter thirteen.htm</font><p><a href="/library/gordon/quiet_talks_on_johns_gospel/a_heart-breaking_verse.htm"><span class="l">A Heart-Breaking Verse.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> respectably wide crack. We all like the word Saviour. Yes, we cling<br> tenaciously to that. <b>Selfishly</b>, would you say? We want to be <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/a heart-breaking verse.htm</font><p><a href="/library/gordon/quiet_talks_on_prayer/the_threefold_cord_of_jesus.htm"><span class="l">The Threefold Cord of Jesus' Life.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Because it has been proven by actual test that he will use everything only<br> for the best interests of his house, and not <b>selfishly</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/the threefold cord of jesus.htm</font><p><a href="/library/gordon/quiet_talks_on_service/a_fence_of_trust.htm"><span class="l">A Fence of Trust.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> some folks ought to worry more." Of course he meant that some people should bear<br> their share of the responsibilities of life, instead of <b>selfishly</b> and lazily <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/a fence of trust.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/s/selfishly.htm"><span class="l"><b>Selfishly</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a selfish manner; with regard to private interest<br> only or chiefly. Multi-Version Concordance <b>Selfishly</b> (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/selfishly.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/selfish.htm"><span class="l">Selfish (14 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/selfish.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/devour.htm"><span class="l">Devour (118 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2. (vt) To seize upon and destroy or appropriate greedily, <b>selfishly</b>, or wantonly;<br> to consume; to swallow up; to use up; to waste; to annihilate. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/devour.htm - 37k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/selfishness.htm"><span class="l">Selfishness (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/selfishness.htm - 7k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/finite-godism.html">What is finite godism? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Philippians-4-6.html">What is the meaning of Philippians 4:6? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/not-in-the-Bible.html">What are the most common things people think are in the Bible that are not actually in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/selfishly.htm">Selfishly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Selfishly (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/romans/2-8.htm">Romans 2:8</a></span><br />while on the other hand upon the self-willed who disobey the truth and obey unrighteousness will fall anger and fury, affliction and awful distress,<br /><span class="source">(See NAS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/s/selfishly.htm">Selfishly</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/epicureans.htm">Epicureans (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/iscariot.htm">Iscariot (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/judas.htm">Judas (42 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/u/unfriendly.htm">Unfriendly (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob (361 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/greed.htm">Greed (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wealthy.htm">Wealthy (22 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/wealth.htm">Wealth (340 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/indulge.htm">Indulge (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/defies.htm">Defies (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pursues.htm">Pursues (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/antonius.htm">Antonius</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/selfishly.htm">Selfishly (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/selfish.htm">Selfish (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/self-seeking.htm">Self-seeking (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/self-judged.htm">Self-judged (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/self.htm">Self (28 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/ecclesiastes.htm">Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/plate.htm">Plate (34 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/felix.htm">Felix (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sermon.htm">Sermon (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/secret.htm">Secret (341 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/redeemer.htm">Redeemer (42 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/redemption.htm">Redemption (46 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/lot.htm">Lot (145 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/warfare.htm">Warfare (18 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/abstinence.htm">Abstinence (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pauline.htm">Pauline</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/malchiel.htm">Malchiel (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/elamarna.htm">Elamarna</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tablets.htm">Tablets (31 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/el-amarna.htm">El-amarna</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/preacher.htm">Preacher (27 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tell.htm">Tell (3056 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/war.htm">War (529 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/master.htm">Master (346 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/hearts.htm">Hearts (418 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/ethics.htm">Ethics</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/however.htm">However (411 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