Philippians 2:5-9
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The phrase "in Christ Jesus" here points not just to our identity as believers, but to Jesus' own divine identity before His earthly life. Paul uses it to highlight that the very Being who eternally existed as God is the One who chose to live a life of humility for us.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to overcome their internal divisions and rivalries by setting aside their own interests for the sake of others. He's building on his previous instructions about humility and unity, and he’s about to elaborate on the ultimate example of this selfless attitude: Jesus Christ Himself. This verse serves as the crucial pivot, introducing the extended passage detailing Christ's voluntary humiliation and subsequent exaltation.
Paul doesn't just tell us to be humble; he points us to the ultimate example. What does it mean to truly adopt 'this mind' that belonged to Jesus?
Paul urges the Philippian believers to have a specific 'mind' among them. This isn't just about thinking happy thoughts; it's about cultivating a disposition, an attitude, a way of being.
The Ultimate Model
Jesus Christ is presented as the supreme pattern for humility. The commentaries highlight that He willingly left His divine glory, took on human form, and subjected Himself to the lowest conditions, even death on the cross, all for the sake of others.
Beyond Mere Thought
The Greek word used here, 'phroneo,' carries a rich meaning. It encompasses not just intellectual thought but also our affections, desires, and intentions. So, 'having this mind' means allowing Christ's humble heart and self-sacrificing attitude to shape our entire inner being and outward actions.
Jesus didn't just think humbly; He acted it out in the most radical way possible. What does His radical self-sacrifice teach us about our own lives?
The core of the 'mind of Christ' is profound self-renunciation for the sake of others. It's about looking beyond our own interests and desires to consider the needs and well-being of those around us.
The Incarnation and Passion
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Commentaries point to two key aspects of Jesus' self-humiliation: His incarnation (taking on human form) and His passion (suffering and death). He voluntarily gave up the privileges of His divine form to embrace a servant's role.
A Model for Us
This example isn't meant to be a distant, unattainable ideal. Instead, Paul presents it as the very foundation for how believers should treat one another. It's a call to a practical, active humility that prioritizes others over self.
Understand the original words
phroneō · Greek Verb
A mindset, attitude, or disposition that governs one's perspective and actions; in the New Testament, it refers to the transformed way of thinking that characterizes a disciple of Jesus.
morphē · Greek Noun
The essential nature, character, or external manifestation of something that perfectly reflects its inner essence. When applied to God, it signifies the fullness of divine nature.
isa · Greek Adjective (adverbial use)
The state of being equal in nature, dignity, and authority. Here it refers to Christ’s inherent, pre-existent status as fully God.
harpagmos · Greek Noun
Something to be seized, snatched, or held onto for one's own advantage. Christ did not view his divine prerogative as something to be selfishly clutched at the expense of his mission.
ekenōsen · Greek Verb
To make empty; to pour out. In this context, it signifies Christ voluntarily setting aside his divine glory and privileges, not his divine nature, to take on human nature.
doulou · Greek Noun
A slave or bond-servant; one whose will is entirely surrendered to the will of another. Christ assumed the role of the ultimate servant of God and humanity.
homoiōmati · Greek Noun
A close resemblance or appearance that corresponds to reality. It indicates that Christ became truly and authentically human, sharing in the human experience.
etapeinōsen · Greek Verb
The act of lowering one's status or pride. It is a fundamental Christian virtue characterized by a willing submission to God’s plan and a disregard for self-exaltation.
hypēkoos · Greek Adjective
The quality of being compliant or yielding to the will of another. Christ’s obedience was a perfect, active submission to the Father’s redemptive purpose.
staurou · Greek Noun
The most shameful, painful, and public form of execution in the Roman world, reserved for criminals and rebels. Christ’s submission to it highlights the depths of his sacrifice and rejection by the world.
hyperypsōsen · Greek Verb
To raise to a high position of honor, power, or authority. It refers to God the Father’s vindication of Christ following his suffering, confirming his supreme status.
onoma · Greek Noun
The designation of a person’s identity, authority, and character. Giving Christ the name "above every name" signifies the unique, supreme sovereignty of Jesus as Lord and God.
This passage directly echoes Jesus' own words about His purpose, which was to serve, not to be served, embodying the humility Paul urges the Philippians to adopt.
John 13:14-15Jesus washing the disciples' feet is a powerful, practical demonstration of the kind of selfless service and humility Paul is calling for, directly linking action to the 'mind of Christ'.
Romans 15:5-7Paul here explicitly calls believers to have the same attitude ('mind') that Christ Jesus had, reinforcing the theme of unity and acceptance modeled by Christ's own welcoming of all people.
1 Peter 2:21-23Peter reminds believers that Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example to follow in His footsteps, highlighting the sacrificial aspect of Christ's humility that is central to this Philippians passage.
Colossians 1:15-20This passage describes Christ's pre-existence and His role in creation and redemption, laying the groundwork for understanding the immense humility He displayed by 'emptying himself' as mentioned in the following verses.
barnesPhilippians 2:5: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus - The object of this reference to the example of the Saviour is particularly to enforce the duty of humility. This was the highest example which could be furnished, and it would illustrate and confirm all the apostle had said of this virtue. The principle in the case is, that we are to make the Lord Jesus our model, and are in all respects to frame our lives, as fa…
vincentPhilippians 2:5: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
Let this mind be in you (τοῦτο φρονείσθω ἐν ὑμιν)Lit., let this be thought in you. The correct reading, however, is φρονεῖτε, lit., "think this in yourselves." Rev., have this mind in you.
The phrase "in Christ Jesus" here points not just to our identity as believers, but to Jesus' own divine identity before His earthly life. Paul uses it to highlight that the very Being who eternally existed as God is the One who chose to live a life of humility for us.
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to overcome their internal divisions and rivalries by setting aside their own interests for the sake of others. He's building on his previous instructions about humility and unity, and he’s about to elaborate on the ultimate example of this selfless attitude: Jesus Christ Himself. This verse serves as the crucial pivot, introducing the extended passage detailing Christ's voluntary humiliation and subsequent exaltation.
Paul is urging the Philippian believers to overcome their internal divisions and rivalries by setting aside their own interests for the sake of others. He's building on his previous instructions about humility and unity, and he’s about to elaborate on the ultimate example of this selfless attitude: Jesus Christ Himself. This verse serves as the crucial pivot, introducing the extended passage detailing Christ's voluntary humiliation and subsequent exaltation.
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness…" — The phrase "in Christ Jesus" here points not just to our identity as believers, but to Jesus' own divine identity before His earthly life. Paul uses it to highlight that the very Being who eterna…
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Last reviewed October 2026
