"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."
— Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
Philippians 2:3-4 is Paul's plain instruction for how believers treat each other: no rivalry, no ego, and an eye on the other person's good. This page gives the verses, what the key Greek words mean, where they sit in Philippians 2, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about humility, Bible verses about serving others, and love and humility.
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The verses
The King James reads: "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."
"Selfish ambition" ("strife") is eritheia (G2052), a self-seeking, party spirit. "Vain conceit" ("vainglory") is kenodoxia (G2754), literally empty glory. "Humility" ("lowliness of mind") is tapeinophrosynē (G5012).
"Value" or "esteem" is hēgeomai (G2233), to consider or count, and "above yourselves" ("better than themselves") is hyperechō (G5242), to rank higher. "Looking" ("look") in verse 4 is skopeō (G4648), to keep an eye on or watch for.
Where it sits in Philippians 2
Just before this, Paul writes, "make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind" (Philippians 2:2). Verses 3-4 are how that unity actually happens.
Right after, he points to Jesus: "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Christ "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant" and "humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:7-8). The humility Paul asks for is patterned on that.
What the verses are saying
Valuing others above yourself is a way of counting, not a feeling of being worthless. Paul asks believers to count the other person's good as weightier than their own image or wins.
Verse 4 keeps it balanced. The KJV's "every man also on the things of others" shows Paul is not banning all care for your own needs; he is saying your own interests should never be the only thing you watch. Romans 12:10 puts it the same way: "Honor one another above yourselves."
Questions people ask
What does Philippians 2:3-4 say?
In the NIV it says, "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."
What does "vain conceit" mean in Philippians 2:3?
The Greek word is kenodoxia, which means empty glory. It is wanting to look important or be admired. The KJV translates it "vainglory."
Does Philippians 2:4 mean I should never think about myself?
No. The verse says not to look only to your own interests, and the KJV adds "also": look on the things of others too. Paul is pushing against self-focus, not forbidding ordinary care for yourself.
How does Philippians 2:3-4 connect to Jesus?
The next verses (Philippians 2:5-8) say to have the same mindset as Christ, who took the nature of a servant and humbled himself to death on a cross. Jesus is the example of putting others first.
What verses go with Philippians 2:3-4?
Romans 12:10 (honor one another above yourselves), Ephesians 4:2 (be completely humble and gentle), and Colossians 3:12 (clothe yourselves with humility) are close companions.
