Philippians 2:5 tells believers to take on the same attitude that Jesus had, a mindset shaped by humility, self-giving, and willingness to serve others. The verse is a call to think and act the way Christ did, not just to hold correct beliefs about him. Paul wrote it to the church at Philippi, urging its members to put others first and to let Christ’s example guide how they treat one another.
Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus…
Philippians 2:5 (WEB)
What Philippians 2:5 Means
The phrase “have this in your mind” points to more than a passing thought. In the original Greek, the word Paul uses describes a settled way of thinking, an attitude that shapes your decisions, your reactions, and your priorities. He is asking his readers to adopt a frame of mind rather than simply to feel a certain way on a given day.
The words “which was also in Christ Jesus” tell us where that mindset comes from. Paul is not inventing a new standard. He points to the attitude he has already described in the verses before, where Jesus, though equal with God, set aside his privileges and took the place of a servant. The verse invites you to look at that example and let it set the pattern for your own life.
The verse does not promise that imitating Christ will bring you status, comfort, or easy relationships. It describes a way of living that cost Jesus a great deal, and it asks you to share that posture. What it does offer is a clear direction: when you are unsure how to act toward someone, you can ask what the humble, serving mind of Christ would look like in that moment.
The Context of Philippians 2:5
Philippians is a letter Paul wrote to the believers in Philippi, a Roman colony in northern Greece, probably from prison. The church there was dear to him and had supported him generously. Yet the letter also shows that the community was facing tensions, including competing ambitions and disagreements among members. Paul writes to strengthen their unity and joy.
The verses immediately before 2:5 urge the church to be of one mind, to avoid rivalry and vanity, and to look out for each other’s interests. Verse 5 then grounds that exhortation in Christ himself. The verses right after it, which describe Jesus emptying himself and becoming obedient to the cross, show that the mindset Paul has in view is not theoretical. Because the verse sits inside this larger passage, it reads less like a general moral principle and more like the heart of a practical plea for Christlike unity.
Key Phrases in Philippians 2:5
Romans 12:10
In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another…
(WEB)
This verse calls believers to honor one another above themselves, which echoes the humble, other-focused mindset Paul describes in Philippians. Reading the two together shows that the attitude of Christ is meant to shape everyday relationships within the church and beyond it.
Mark 10:45
For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(WEB)
In this verse Jesus explains that he came not to be served but to serve and to give his life for others. It offers a direct window into the self-giving servanthood that Paul points to in Philippians 2:5, grounding the call to humility in the words and purpose of Christ himself.
A Short Prayer From Philippians 2:5
Lord Jesus, you did not hold on to your rights but chose to serve and to give yourself for others. I confess how often my thoughts turn toward my own comfort, my reputation, and my wants. Shape my mind by your Spirit so that I can think the way you thought. Help me to notice the needs of the people around me and to respond with humility and love. Let my daily choices reflect the same servant heart that was in you. Amen.
