ἁρπαγμόςharpagmós

1. properly, accusative, to the rule of its formation (Bl., § 27, 2), actively, the act of seizing, robbery, Philippians 2:6, AV.

2. Passively = ἅρπαγμα (Ezekiel 22:25, of a lion's prey, טֶרֶף), a thing seized, hence, a prize: Philippians 2:6, RV. The lexical data favour the active meaning, but as they also admit the possibility of the alternative, most modern expositors have accepted the latter as seeming to suit the logic of the passage better. The lexical difficulty, however, remains. As to the usage of St. Paul, he seems inclined to adopt the -μα form where it is appropriate (e.g. Romans 11:9, where cf. LXX; 1 Corinthians 13:9, 2 Corinthians 1:9), and there is certainly a presumption in favour of the active meaning here from the fact that he does not use the LXX ἅρπαγμα. Suggestions looking to a fresh exegesis are given in JThS, July, 1909, April, 1911.