Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Philippians 2:3
What does Philippians 2:3 mean?
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Philippians 2:3
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The verse doesn't just tell us to be humble; it points to a specific posture: actively counting others more significant than ourselves. This isn't about a vague sense of self-worth, but about orienting our perception to notice and value the strengths and worth in others, even above our own.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to live in unity, directly addressing internal divisions and boasting that are threatening their fellowship. He's building on his previous call to oneness of mind and heart, emphasizing that this unity must translate into humble, selfless actions toward one another, directly counteracting any pride or competitiveness that might be surfacing among them.
Paul doesn't pull punches here. He calls out two motives that often drive our actions, even in Christian circles. What are they, and why are they so destructive?
Paul starts by telling the Philippians what not to do: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit." These aren't small issues; they're root problems that kill unity.
Strife (Eris)
This word describes a competitive, contentious spirit. Think of it as a constant drive to win, to get ahead of others, often at their expense. It’s the opposite of working together; it’s about division and conflict. When strife is our motive, our goal is to be superior, to prove ourselves right, or to gain an advantage over someone else.
Vain Glory (Kenodoxia)
This is the desire for empty praise and recognition. It’s about seeking glory for yourself, wanting to be noticed, admired, and applauded. It’s a hollow pursuit because it relies on the opinions of others, and it always puts the self at the center. When vain glory is our motive, we’re performing for an audience, not serving humbly.
Paul makes it clear: these motives have no place in the life of faith. They fracture community and distort our purpose.
If strife and pride are out, what takes their place? Paul offers a radical, counter-cultural perspective on how we should view each other.
The antidote to strife and vain glory is found in "lowliness of mind," which leads to a profound way of valuing others:
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The Foundation: Lowliness of Mind
This isn't about thinking less of yourself in a self-deprecating way. It's about having a realistic, God-centered view of who you are. It’s recognizing your dependence on God and seeing yourself rightly in His sight. True humility doesn't diminish your worth; it redirects your focus away from self-promotion.
The Practice: Esteem Others Better
From this humble perspective, Paul commands us to 'count others more significant than yourselves.' This means actively valuing others, recognizing their worth, and considering their needs and perspectives to be important – perhaps even more important than your own in a given situation.
This doesn't mean denying your own gifts or worth. It means consciously choosing to elevate others, to give them the benefit of the doubt, and to prioritize their well-being and honor. It's a practical, active choice to see others as valuable and worthy of respect, stemming from our own humble position before God.
Understand the original words
eritheia · Greek Noun
Refers to motives derived from ego, rivalry, or a desire for personal gain, which are viewed as antithetical to the selfless spirit of the gospel.
kenodoxia · Greek Noun
Empty pride or vain-glory; a mindset that overestimates one's own worth or importance, often at the expense of others, contrasting with the spirit of Christ.
tapeinophrosunē · Greek Noun
The biblical grace of lowering oneself; not thinking less of oneself, but thinking of oneself less, modeled perfectly by Christ’s incarnation and self-emptying death.
The intense internal divisions Paul witnessed and addressed in churches like Corinth, coupled with the practical challenges of church life even during his Roman imprisonment, underscore why he so urgently calls the Philippians to 'do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit' and to 'count others more significant than yourselves'.
c. 48-49 AD
Council of Jerusalem
The Council of Jerusalem addressed early church divisions regarding the inclusion of Gentiles and adherence to Jewish law, highlighting the need for unity and mutual respect among believers.
c. 50-52 AD
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
During his time in Corinth, Paul encountered significant disunity and factions within the church, prompting him to write extensively on unity and Christian conduct in his letters to the Corinthians.
c. 53-55 AD
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
Paul addresses divisions, quarrels, and pride within the Corinthian church, emphasizing love, humility, and the common good over individual ambition.
c. 56-57 AD— this verse
Paul Imprisoned in Rome
While imprisoned, Paul continued to shepherd the churches through his letters, including Philippians, which was written to a church facing internal pressures and needing encouragement.
c. 60-62 AD
Paul Writes Philippians
The letter to the Philippians was written by Paul from Rome, offering encouragement to the church to live in unity and joy, particularly by following Christ's example of humility.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment of Philippians 2:3, urging believers to seek the welfare of others rather than their own self-interest.
Galatians 5:26This verse warns against 'conceit' and 'provoking one another, envying one another,' which are closely related to the 'selfish ambition' and 'conceit' Paul cautions against in Philippians 2:3.
Romans 12:10Paul explicitly tells believers to 'love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor,' which perfectly illustrates the practical outworking of counting others more significant than yourselves.
Matthew 18:4Jesus teaches a similar principle, stating that whoever humbles himself like a child will be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, aligning with the call to humility and valuing others over self.
1 Peter 5:5This passage directly links humility with serving others, encouraging believers to 'clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'
barnesPhilippians 2:3: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Let nothing be done through strife - With a spirit of contention. This command forbids us to do anything, or attempt anything as the mere result of strife. This is not the principle from which we are to act, or by which we are to be governed. We are to form no plan, and aim at no object which is to be secured in this way. The command prohibits all attempts t…
meyerPhilippians 2:3: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."
Php 2:3 f. Μηδὲν κατὰ ἐριθ . ἤ κενοδοξ .] sc. φρονοῦντες (not ποιοῦντες , Erasmus, Luther, Beza, Camerarius, Storr, am Ende, Rheinwald, Flatt, van Hengel, and others); so that, accordingly, what was excluded by the previous requirement τὸ αὐτὸ φρονῆτε … φρονοῦντες , is here described. To take, as in Galatians 5:13 , μηδεὶν … κενοδοξίαν as a prohibition by it…
The verse doesn't just tell us to be humble; it points to a specific posture: actively counting others more significant than ourselves. This isn't about a vague sense of self-worth, but about orienting our perception to notice and value the strengths and worth in others, even above our own.
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to live in unity, directly addressing internal divisions and boasting that are threatening their fellowship. He's building on his previous call to oneness of mind and heart, emphasizing that this unity must translate into humble, selfless actions toward one another, directly counteracting any pride or competitiveness that might be surfacing among them.
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to live in unity, directly addressing internal divisions and boasting that are threatening their fellowship. He's building on his previous call to oneness of mind and heart, emphasizing that this unity must translate into humble, selfless actions toward one another, directly counteracting any pride or competitiveness that might be surfacing among them.
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." — The verse doesn't just tell us to be humble; it points to a specific posture: actively counting others more significant than ourselves. This isn't about a vague sense of self-worth, but about ori…
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Last reviewed October 2026