The verse Philippians 2:3 says “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” This verse teaches us an important principle about how we should view and treat others – we should esteem them as more important than ourselves. Let’s explore what this means and why it’s so important for Christians.
It’s the Opposite of Pride and Selfish Ambition
To “esteem others better than yourself” is the exact opposite of having pride or selfish ambition. Our natural tendency as sinful human beings is to look out for ourselves first and foremost. We want recognition, respect, and to have things our way. But the Bible tells us this is wrong. Instead, we are called to take our focus off ourselves and turn it to others. We should make their needs and interests more significant than our own.
This verse comes right after Philippians 2:1-2 which exhorts us to be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” So this principle is tied directly to unity, love, and humility within the body of Christ.
It Involves Active Serving and Putting Others First
Esteeming others as more important than ourselves requires action on our part. It’s not just an attitude or feeling – we must put it into practice by how we treat people. Romans 12:10 says to “outdo one another in showing honor” and Philippians 2:4 tells us to “look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
This means we look for ways to actively serve, encourage, listen to, honor, and meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return. Their needs and desires take priority over our own. Instead of seeking after recognition and rewards, we lay down our own interests to lift up someone else.
It Imitates Christ’s Humility
In the passage surrounding Philippians 2:3, Paul points to Christ as the greatest example of this humility:
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)
Jesus, though fully God, humbled Himself to take on human flesh, leave the glories of heaven, and die a humiliating death on our behalf. He esteemed us – sinners deserving of wrath – as more important than His very life! This is the mindset we should have towards others.
It Helps us Value Others as Jesus Does
Every human being has inherent value because we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). When we esteem others as better than ourselves, we are recognizing their immense worth in God’s eyes. We all are created with dignity, worth, purpose, and talents – each person is unique and designed by God.
Though we have all been tainted by sin, the Bible teaches that every person still reflects God’s image and glory in some way (1 Corinthians 11:7, James 3:9). When we take the focus off ourselves and lower our pride, we can see others through Jesus’ eyes of love. We appreciate their humanity, gifts, and honor them as those Christ died to redeem.
It Builds Unity and Harmony in Relationships and the Church
Our relationships and churches are much healthier when we esteem others over ourselves. Unity is destroyed by selfishness and pride, as people fight to promote their own interests and opinions above others’. But when we lower ourselves and lift up the needs of others, harmony and mutual respect flourishes.
Paul’s admonition in Philippians 2 to esteem others comes in the context of urging the church to be unified and like-minded. A spirit of humility and mutual honor is key for a church to be able to work together in mission and ministry. Unity occurs when each member looks out for the others, not demanding their own way (Philippians 2:2-4).
It Keeps us from Judgment, Envy and Conceit
Our natural tendency is to size people up – comparing ourselves to determine if we are better, or resenting those who seem better than us. But when we esteem others over ourselves, judgment has no place. We put aside envy, pride, and boasting and learn to simply appreciate the gifts and value of those around us.
Romans 12:10 tells us to “outdo one another in showing honor.” This creates an environment where each person seeks to honor others – not critique and judge them. Our attitude is like that of John the Baptist who said of Jesus “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Lowering ourselves lifts others up.
It Reflects Our Identity in Christ, not Worldly Status
The world emphasizes promoting oneself and scrambling for status and recognition. But followers of Christ are called to turn their backs on worldly attitudes of celebrity-seeking and self-aggrandizement. The race we run is not for human glory but for the eternal reward of pleasing our Savior.
The values of the Kingdom of God are radically different from the world’s values. When we esteem others as more important, we are embracing Jesus’ upside-down Kingdom. Our identity rests in Christ alone, not worldly promotions or accolades. We live for an audience of One and seek to glorify Him above ourselves.
It Requires Dependence on God’s Grace and Strength
This attitude of humility and preference for others does not come naturally. It can only be lived out through God’s grace and strength at work within us. We must continually depend on the Holy Spirit to develop the mindset and character of Christ within us (Galatians 5:22-23).
Thankfully we do not have to strive for this virtue in our own feeble strength. As we abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit, He produces His fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The more we yield to the Spirit’s work in our lives, the more selfless we will become.
It is a Mark of True Spiritual Maturity
While the world applauds those who promote themselves and grasp after status, Jesus taught that true greatness comes from serving others. He said “whoever would be first among you must be your slave” and “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Matthew 20:27, Mark 10:45).
Those who are most mature in Christ have learned to find their satisfaction and meaning in lifting up others, not exalting themselves. They echo John the Baptist’s phrase “He must increase, but I must decrease.” For they have discovered the joy Jesus promises when we set aside our own interests in favor of serving and honoring our neighbor. There is no greater spiritual maturity.
It Leads to God’s Promises of Blessing and Reward
Though this attitude runs counter to our natural inclinations, God promises it is the way to blessing and reward. Jesus taught that “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4). And he declares that “whoever would be great among you must be your servant…even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.”
When we truly humble ourselves and value others above ourselves, Jesus says we will be rewarded: “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). We can entrust ourselves to God’s care when we forget about our own status and treat others as more important.
It is a Key to Emulating Jesus
Jesus perfectly lived out this attitude throughout His life on earth. Though He was God in the flesh, owner and creator of the universe, He humbly took on the role of a servant. The King of Kings stooped down to wash His disciples dirty feet. The Prince of Peace submitted Himself to sinners to endure torture, mockery and death on our behalf.
If we desire to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6), esteeming others before ourselves must become second nature. We look for chances to defer to others, put their needs first and serve without expecting reward or recognition. We count them and their interests as more significant than our own ambitions, comforts, rights or promotion.
It Allows us to Bless and Serve Even Enemies
Jesus took this humility to an even deeper level by showing love to those who crucified Him. As He hung dying on the cross, He prayed “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). He was despised and rejected by the very ones He came to save. Yet He willingly sacrificed Himself for their salvation.
When we view others as more important – even those who mistreat, hate or annoy us – we can follow Jesus’ example. We return good for evil and pray for the salvation of our enemies. We seek their greatest good rather than demanding justice or payment.
It Frees us from Bitterness, Resentment and Revenge
Esteeming others over ourselves requires letting go of bitterness, resentment, and the desire for revenge when we are hurt or mistreated. We surrender our right to pay back or get even and instead trust God with outcomes. We bless those who curse us and extend mercy just as we have received mercy.
When someone offends us but we view them as more important than ourselves and our right to justice, it defuses anger and quenches thoughts of retaliation. We can release them into God’s hands and pray for their repentance and restoration. Our humility clears the path for God’s grace to soften hearts and promote reconciliation.
It is Not About False Humility or Self-Depreciation
Esteeming others over ourselves does not mean false humility, self-hatred or degradation. We are not called to view ourselves as worthless, utterly depraved, or beyond God’s redemption. Nor should we punish ourselves or refuse to enjoy the gifts God has given us.
Rather we humbly acknowledge that we are no better or more deserving than others in God’s eyes. We have received every good thing by His grace alone (1 Corinthians 4:7). We aim to reflect Christ’s mindset, who emptied Himself of divine rights and privileges for our sakes out of deep love.
It Involves Giving Preference, not Denying our Value
Lowering ourselves to lift others up does not require denying that we have God-given talents, abilities, gifts and wisdom. But it means we don’t use those things as excuses to demand honor, advancement or preferential treatment. Nor do we flaunt our achievements to prove we are superior.
Rather, we steward our gifts for others and hold our accomplishments loosely. We allow others to take center stage at times and gladly defer to those with less visible roles. We aim for a humble interdependence, not independence or superiority. Each person’s role is vital and is valued.
It is Ultimately Rooted in God’s Grace to us
We can only genuinely esteem others over ourselves when we grasp the depth of God’s grace and mercy that saved us. The ground is level at the foot of the cross – we all approach God as undeserving sinners unable to earn His favor (Romans 3:9-12, 23-24). Any good in us is by His grace alone.
When we realize we have received such enormous mercy and blessing as God’s beloved children, it moves us to extend that same grace to others. Pride melts away as we comprehend Christ’s sacrifice for those just like us – unworthy, yet still infinitely precious to Him. This motivates us to value and serve all people.
It Prepares our Hearts for Heaven
The attitude of esteeming others over ourselves – though counter-cultural – is actually an eternal Kingdom mindset. When we enter heaven, all pride and selfishness will be stripped away as we fall before Christ in worship and finally see others from His perspective.
Believers will rejoice equally in God’s grace and enjoy fellowship freed from all envy, boasting and striving for status. The greatest among God’s people will be those who followed Jesus’ example of servant-hearted humility while on earth. They understood Kingdom values and were conduits of the honor that comes from God alone (John 5:44).
When we esteem others here and now, we reflect the mindset that will come naturally in glory. The eternal Kingdom begins seeding itself in our hearts, changing us into Christ’s image as we walk in humility, gratitude and joyful service of one another.