Though the above word may appear to be Biblical in origin, it is neither Hebrew nor Greek. Rather, it is a word coined from three English pronouns—Him, us and I. The thought it expresses is taken from Philippians 2:3: “Let nothing be done through strife [party spirit; faction] or vainglory.”
The Lord Jesus is the “Him” who must always have the first place. Next the “us”: Collective concerns and matters are to be considered. Then lastly comes the “I,” our own personal interests. A party spirit (as eritheia, the Greek word for strife, suggests) is the putting forward of “us” rather than Him. But vainglory is the putting forward of me—“I” taking the place that belongs alone to Him.
In Colossians 1:18 the Spirit of God shows that He is to have the first place in all things (JND). Sadly, Philippians 2:21 shows how believers can get these priorities out of order. But if through grace and humility each gives Christ the place of preeminence, next esteems other better than himself, while putting individual interests last (Rom. 15:3), then we will manifest, in a measure, the character and the mind of the One described in Philippians 2:58. For us, may it never be USIHIM or IUSHIM or any other order than HIMUSI!
M. Payette (adapted)