Philippians 2:2
What does Philippians 2:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Philippians 2:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Philippians 2:2 means
Paul asks them to make his joy full by pursuing deep unity: thinking the same way, sharing the same love, and being united in purpose. This is not a demand for uniformity in every opinion, but a call to harmony around the gospel. Love is the heartbeat that sustains this oneness. The church blesses its leaders and glorifies Christ when believers refuse rivalries and instead embrace a common mind shaped by Christ. Such unity requires intentionality—choosing to value one another, to listen well, and to set aside personal agendas for the sake of Christ’s mission and the good of the whole body.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in harmony and of one mind;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862fulfil ye my joy, that ye may mind the same thing--having the same love--of one soul--minding the one thing,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Fulfil ye my joy, that you be of one mind, having the same charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890fulfil my joy, that ye may think the same thing, having the same love, joined in soul, thinking one thing;
Context
After evoking their shared life in Christ (v. 1), Paul specifies the response that would complete his joy: practical, relational unity. Verses 3–4 will unpack how this unity is cultivated—by rejecting selfishness and practicing humble regard for others. Then verses 5–11 will ground this appeal in the mindset and story of Jesus Christ, whose humility and exaltation provide both the model and the power for Christian unity. The progression moves from motivation to command to the Christ-centered foundation that sustains it.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 1:4
always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy,
- Philippians 4:2
I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord.
- Romans 15:5
Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus:
- 2 Timothy 1:4
longing to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
- Romans 12:16
Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits.
- Acts 2:1
And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place.
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