New Living Translation
Philippians 2:3
3Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
- New International Version (NIV)Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Context of Philippians 2:3
1Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Read all of Philippians 2Philippians 2:3 word by word
μηδὲν κατ᾽ ἐριθείαν μηδὲ κατὰ κενοδοξίαν ἀλλὰ τῇ ταπεινοφροσύνῃ ἀλλήλους ἡγούμενοι ὑπερέχοντας ἑαυτῶν·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- nothingμηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367
- throughκατάkata · according toG2596
- strifeἐριθείαeritheia · rivalryG2052
- orἤē · orG2228
- vaingloryκενοδοξίαkenodoxia · empty conceitG2754
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- in lowliness of mindὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- in lowliness of mindταπεινοφροσύνηtapeinophrosunē · humilityG5012
- letἡγέομαιhēgeomai · to governG2233
- eachἀλλήλωνallēlōn · one anotherG240
- betterὑπερέχωhuperechō · be higherG5242
- than themselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
Cross-references for Philippians 2:3
- Philippians 2:14Do everything without complaining and arguing,
- Philippians 1:15It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.
- Proverbs 13:10Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.
- Romans 13:13Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.
- 1 Corinthians 3:3for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?
- 2 Corinthians 12:20For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.
- Galatians 5:15But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
- Colossians 3:8But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.
- 1 Timothy 6:4Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.
- James 3:14But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying.
- James 4:5Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him.
- 1 Peter 2:1So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.
- Luke 14:7When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:
- Luke 18:14I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
- Romans 12:10Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
- 1 Corinthians 15:9For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church.
Commentaries on Philippians 2:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Let nothing be done through strife - Never be opposed to each other; never act from separate interests; ye are all brethren, and of one body; therefore let every member feel and labor for the welfare of the whole. And, in the exercise of your different functions, and in the use of your various gifts, do nothing so as to promote your own reputation, separately considered from the comfort, honor, and advantage of all. But in lowliness of mind - Have always…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Let 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 to secure anything over others by mere physical strength, or by superiority of intellect or numbers…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4Do nothing out of selfish ambition: Thinking only about yourself is the opposite of truly caring for others (compare 2:20–21; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Galatians 5:26).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. Let nothing be done--The italicized words are not in the Greek. Perhaps the ellipsis had better be supplied from the Greek (Php 2:2), "Thinking nothing in the way of strife" (or rather, "factious intrigue," "self-seeking," see on Php 1:16). It is the thought which characterizes the action as good or bad before God. lowliness of mind--The direct relation of this grace is to God alone; it is the sense of dependence of the creature on the Creator as such…Read the comment
Topics related to Philippians 2:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Philippians 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
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