Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Philippians 2:3 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 3. 3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
Rivalry and empty status-seeking must give way to humility that treats other people as genuinely significant.
Read It With
- Philippians 2:1–4
Paul's appeal moves from the grace the church has received to unity, humility, and practical concern for other people.
Why This Verse Appears Here
Paul identifies rivalry and empty glory as threats to the unity he has requested, then gives their opposite: humility that takes other people seriously.
What This Verse Is Not Saying
Philippians 2:3 does not teach that humility requires denying truth, excusing abuse, or pretending every judgment and ability is equal.
What Remains True
Christ-shaped community resists status competition and gives real weight to the good of other people.
How It Can Shape Life
- In a disputed decision, state another person's legitimate interest as carefully as you state your own.
Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read Philippians 2:1–4 — Make Room for the Good of OthersSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: The KJV wording and immediate English context for Philippians 2:1–4.
Exact location: eBible/CrossWire eng-kjv2006 USFM, source files dated 2026-08-19, Philippians 2; archive and normalized-corpus SHA-256 values are recorded in the library policy.
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: The critically edited Greek wording and punctuation used as the base text for this passage.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/Phil.txt, Philippians 2, verses within Philippians 2:1–4.
Open the Philippians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — Philippians with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, digital edition accessed 2026
Supports: Material English translation choices, syntax notes, and textual variants identified for this passage.
Exact location: NET Bible, Philippians 2, translator and textual notes attached to the verses in Philippians 2:1–4.
Open NET Philippians 2 ↗