Philippians 2:5 – Have the Thinking of Christ

Philippians 2:5
^“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

This Greek word for mind in this verse (phroneō) means to think, or be minded in a certain way. Some translations use thinking or attitude. It differs from the word (nous), as the seat of the intellect—the mind.

What thinking is Paul talking about? Look at the previous verses. “³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Verses 3-4)

Look at why Paul said this thinking was in Christ. “⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Verses 7-8)

This is the unselfish attitude of putting other people first. Jesus humbled Himself, came to earth, and took the role of servant. “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11) This is the attitude that God wants us to have.

This is not easy for most of us. We think of it in terms of getting our share first. It’s like letting another go before you in a Sunday lunch line at Church. Jesus came to serve others. He calls us to do the same. This is not a Christian duty; it is an outflowing of love. It comes back to the fact that we love because He first loved us.

When you think of serving, what do you like more? Do you like to serve or be served? Is it more important for you to serve? These are hard questions. It goes deep into our heart. It takes humility to do the serving. It takes a humble heart to want to put others before you. It’s not so easy in the culture we live in. In fact, it’s about the opposite in the world. Get all you can at the expense of others. Caveat Emptor. Watch your back, because no one else will. That is not the mind which was in Christ. Jesus had no free time to Himself except when He snuck away in the middle of the night to pray. He came to serve. Let that mind be in you.