Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Philippians 2:4 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 4. 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
Humility becomes observable when believers attend to other people's real interests as well as their own.
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
Verse 4 makes humility practical: believers must look beyond their own interests without pretending they have no legitimate responsibilities of their own.
What Remains True
Concern for others is a practiced redirection of attention, not merely a humble feeling.
How It Can Shape Life
- Before acting on a decision that affects others, ask what burden, need, or consequence they will carry.
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 ↗