Devine Scripture

Philippians 2:3

What does Philippians 2:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Philippians 2:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Philippians 2:3 means

Unity requires the death of selfish ambition and empty pride. Paul calls for a lowly mindset that counts others as more significant. This does not mean denying truth or ignoring sin; it means refusing to make self the center. To “count” others better is a deliberate, gracious estimation: we elevate their interests and treat them with respect and deference. Such humility frees us from competition and the need to be noticed. It reflects Christ’s heart, who did not cling to His rights but lowered Himself for our good. Where humility rules, factions fade, and love has room to flourish in a community shaped by the cross.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Doing nothing through envy or through pride, but with low thoughts of self let everyone take others to be better than himself;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

nothing in rivalry or vain-glory, but in humility of mind one another counting more excellent than yourselves--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Let nothing be done through contention: neither by vain glory. But in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

[let] nothing [be] in the spirit of strife or vain glory, but, in lowliness of mind, each esteeming the other as more excellent than themselves;

Context

Paul moves from the goal of unity (v. 2) to the inner attitude that protects it (v. 3). The problem is not merely organizational but moral; pride births divisions. Verse 4 will continue this theme by directing attention outward to others’ needs. Then verses 5–11 will present Jesus Christ as the supreme example of lowliness. The flow shows that unity is not a technique but a character issue, and the cure is to adopt Christ’s mindset—a theme Paul will soon make explicit (v. 5).

v.2make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;

v.3This passage

v.4not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:9

    For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

  • Philippians 1:15

    Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

  • 2 Corinthians 12:20

    For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;

  • James 3:14

    But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

  • 1 Peter 5:5

    Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder. Yea, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to serve one another: for God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.

  • Luke 14:7

    And he spake a parable unto those that were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats; saying unto them,

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