The Greek eritheia (G2052) is difficult to translate precisely — it means selfish ambition, partisan self-promotion, or divisive factional striving. It appears in Paul's vice lists (Galatians 5:20: 'selfish ambition' is a work of the flesh; Romans 2:8: those who 'are self-seeking and reject the truth'). In Philippians 2:3, Paul warns: 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition (eritheia) or vain conceit.' James 3:14-16 warns that eritheia in the heart is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic wisdom.
Eritheia in James 3:16 receives one of the NT's most devastating diagnoses: 'For where you have envy and selfish ambition (eritheia), there you find disorder and every evil practice.' The word was originally used of day laborers who worked only for pay, indifferent to the common good. In Paul's usage, it describes the church member who pursues their own agenda at the expense of the body — the partisan who creates factions around their preferences. Philippians 2:3-4 is the direct antidote: 'Do nothing out of eritheia... rather, in humility value others above yourselves.'