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Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God,[a]
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[b];
    he took the humble position of a slave[c]
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,[d]
    he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

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Footnotes

  1. 2:6 Or Being in the form of God.
  2. 2:7a Greek he emptied himself.
  3. 2:7b Or the form of a slave.
  4. 2:7c Some English translations put this phrase in verse 8.

(A)Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but (B)in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (C)Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of (D)others.

The Humbled and Exalted Christ

(E)Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, (F)being in the form of God, did not consider it [a]robbery to be equal with God, (G)but [b]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form (H)of a bondservant, and (I)coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and (J)became (K)obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 2:6 Or something to be held onto to be equal
  2. Philippians 2:7 emptied Himself of His privileges

Do nothing out of selfish ambition(A) or conceit,(B) but in humility(C) consider others as more important(D) than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests,(E) but rather to the interests of others.(F)

Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God(G)
as something to be exploited.[a]
Instead he emptied himself(H)
by assuming the form of a servant,(I)
taking on the likeness of humanity.(J)
And when he had come as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. 2:6 Or to be grasped, or to be held on to

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.(A) Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,(B) not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.(C)

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:(D)

Who, being in very nature[a] God,(E)
    did not consider equality with God(F) something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing(G)
    by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,(H)
    being made in human likeness.(I)
And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death(J)
        even death on a cross!(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of
  2. Philippians 2:7 Or the form

Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first.

In other words, adopt the mind-set of Jesus the Anointed. Live with His attitude in your hearts. Remember:

Though He was in the form of God,
    He chose not to cling to equality with God;
But He poured Himself out to fill a vessel brand new;
    a servant in form
    and a man indeed.
The very likeness of humanity,
He humbled Himself,
    obedient to death—
    a merciless death on the cross!

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