Philippians 2:5 - Exposition

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus ; literally, according to the reading of the best manuscripts, mind this in you which was also ( minded ) in Christ Jesus. Many manuscripts take the words "every man" ( ἕκαστοι ) of Philippians 2:4 with Philippians 2:5 : "All of you mind this." The words, "in Christ Jesus," show that the corresponding words, "in you," cannot mean "among you," but in yourselves, in your heart. The apostle refers us to the supreme example of unselfishness and humility, the Lord Jesus Christ. He bids us mind (comp. Romans 8:5 ) the things which the Lord Jesus minded, to love what he loved, to hate what he hated; the thoughts, desires, motives, of the Christian should be the thoughts, desires, motives, which filled the sacred heart of Jesus Christ our Lord. We must strive to imitate him, to reproduce his image, not only in the outward, but even in the inner life. Especially here we are biddcn to follow his unselfishness and humility.