^2:2complete my joy and be of the same mind,³ by having the same love, being united in spirit,⁴ and having one purpose. ^2:3Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition⁵ or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. ^2:4Each of you should be concerned⁶ not only⁷ about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.⁸

Read in Logos

Philippians 2:3–4: Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Footnotes

3 Or “and feel the same way,” “and think the same thoughts.” The ἵνα (hina) clause has been translated “and be of the same mind” to reflect its epexegetical force to the imperative “complete my joy.”
4 The Greek word here is σύμψυχοι (sumpsuchoi, literally “fellow souled”).
5 Grk “not according to selfish ambition.” There is no main verb in this verse; the subjunctive φρονήτε (phronēte, “be of the same mind”) is implied here as well. Thus, although most translations supply the verb “do” at the beginning of v. 3 (e.g., “do nothing from selfish ambition”), the idea is even stronger than that: “Don’t even think any thoughts motivated by selfish ambition.”
6 On the meaning “be concerned about” for σκοπέω (skopeō), see L&N 27.36.
7 The word “only” is not in the Greek text, but is implied by the ἀλλὰ καί (alla kai) in the second clause (“but … as well”). The bulk of the Western text dropped the καί, motivated most likely by ascetic concerns.
8 The bulk of the Western text (D*,c F G K it) dropped καί (kai) here, most likely due to ascetic concerns. Strong external attestation for its inclusion from excellent witnesses as well as the majority (𝔓46 א A B C D2 0278 33 1739 1881 𝔐) also marks it as original. Verses 1–4 constitute one long conditional sentence in Greek. The protasis is in verse 1, while vv. 2–4 constitute the apodosis. There is but one verb not in a subordinate clause in vv. 2–4, the imperative “complete” in v. 2. This is followed by a subjunctive after ἵνα (hina, translated as an epexegetical clause, “and be of the same mind”) and three instrumental participles. Thus the focus of these four verses is to “be of the same mind” and all that follows this instruction is the means for accomplishing that.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

complete my joy by being 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. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

NLTNew Living Translation

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

complete my joy, so that you are in agreement, having the same love, united in spirit, having one purpose. Do nothing according to selfish ambition or according to empty conceit, but in humility considering one another better than yourselves, each of you not looking out for your own interests, but also each of you for the interests of others.

KJV 1900King James Version

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

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