Philippians 2:5 tells believers to take on the same attitude that Jesus had, a mindset marked by humility, self-giving, and willingness to serve others rather than grasp at status. The verse is an invitation rather than a command to feel a certain way, and it points to the example of Christ described in the verses that follow. Paul, the apostle who wrote this letter, speaks it to the church at Philippi, a congregation in a Roman colony in northern Greece that he loved deeply.
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” is about how you think and what you set your attention on. In Greek the word points to a settled outlook, the way you habitually weigh things and decide what matters. Paul is not asking for a passing emotion but for a pattern of thought shaped by the character of Jesus.
The words “which was also in Christ Jesus” tell you where that mindset comes from. The attitude Paul has in view is not invented for the church; it is already visible in the life of Jesus, and believers are to share it. The verse therefore gives a standard drawn from a real person rather than an abstract ideal.
What the verse does not do is hand you a formula for success or guarantee that humility will bring visible rewards. Its promise is about becoming more like Christ in how you think and act, which the apostle presents as the healthy shape of life in community. The rest of the passage shows what that mind looked like in action.
The Context of Philippians 2:5
Philippians is a warm letter written by Paul while he was imprisoned, most likely in Rome, and it thanks the Philippian believers for their partnership in the gospel. The letter is full of joy even under hardship, and chapter 2 turns to a practical problem in the church: a need for unity, humility, and looking out for one another. Paul begins by urging them to be “like-minded” and to count others as more significant than themselves.
Read in that setting, the verse functions as the hinge of the argument. Paul moves from general instruction about unity into a hymn-like description of Christ, who did not cling to his rightful equality with God but emptied himself, took the form of a servant, and humbled himself even to the cross. Because the verse introduces that story, the mindset it describes is seen as flowing directly from the way Jesus chose to live and die.
Key Phrases in Philippians 2:5
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.”
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This verse states plainly that the Son of Man came to serve and to give his life for others. It gives a concise summary of the servant pattern that Paul describes in Philippians, showing how the mindset of Christ found its fullest expression in his sacrifice.
Romans 12:10
In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another…
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Paul’s call in Romans to honor one another above yourselves applies the same humble posture to everyday church life. Reading it alongside Philippians shows how the mind of Christ becomes visible in affection, respect, and mutual care among believers.
A Short Prayer From Philippians 2:5
Lord Jesus, you did not hold on to your rightful place but chose to serve and to give yourself for others. Shape the way I think, so that my first instinct is humility and love rather than self-protection or pride. Show me where I am grasping for recognition, and teach me to count others as worth honoring. Help me take on your mind in ordinary moments, at home, at work, and in my friendships, trusting that you are at work in me as I follow you. Amen.
