Philippians
The Humility and Selfless Love of Jesus
Go deeper into Philippians 2:1–11 and discover what true humility looks like, how Jesus chose to serve instead of seeking status, and how His example begins reshaping the way we treat other people.
🎧 Listen or 📖 Read — You Choose
This page is here when you want to understand Philippians 2:1–11 more deeply. It is not another assignment.
Read the passage in your Bible first. Then choose the way you want to explore it. You can listen to the Student Commentary, read the complete written Student Commentary, or use the shorter study sections on this page.
Listen to the Student Audio Commentary while you follow along in your Bible.
🎧 Listen to the CommentaryOpen the complete Student Commentary for a deeper written walkthrough of Philippians 2:1–11.
📖 Read the Full Commentary🎧 Philippians 2:1–11
Listen as we explore what biblical humility really means, why Paul tells believers to look beyond themselves, and how Jesus shows us the clearest picture of humble, selfless love.
What Should You Remember?
True greatness looks like Jesus. He chose humility, served others, and became obedient even to the cross. Following Jesus means learning to put away selfish ambition and genuinely care about others.
How Philippians 2:1–11 Fits Together
Paul calls believers to live with humility and unity. Then instead of simply giving them a list of rules, he points them directly to Jesus.
Humility Looks Beyond Yourself
Paul begins by calling the Philippians to unity. He wants believers to share the same love and pursue the same gospel-centered purpose together.
But there is something that can quickly destroy that kind of unity:
selfish ambition.
Selfish ambition asks:
How can I get ahead?
How can I get noticed?
How can I get what I want?
How does this affect me?
Paul calls Christians toward something very different: humility.
It’s refusing to believe you’re the only person who matters.
Biblical humility does not mean pretending you have no value. It means learning to notice the needs, interests, and concerns of people around you instead of constantly making yourself the center.
Following Jesus changes the question from “What do I want?” to “How can I care about someone besides myself?”
What Does Humility Look Like?
Humility usually shows up in ordinary moments.
It can look like:
- Listening instead of always needing to speak.
- Celebrating someone else’s success.
- Letting someone else receive the attention.
- Helping when no one is watching.
- Apologizing when you were wrong.
- Not always demanding your own way.
- Noticing when someone else needs encouragement.
CHRISTLIKE HUMILITY LOOKS BEYOND YOURSELF.
If You Want to See Humility, Look at Jesus
Paul doesn’t simply tell Christians to be humble.
He points them to Jesus.
In verse 5, Paul tells believers to have the same attitude that was also in Christ Jesus.
Jesus existed in the form of God, yet He did not use His position for selfish advantage.
Instead, He humbled Himself.
He took the form of a servant.
He became human.
He chose obedience.
He went all the way to the cross.
Jesus had every right to glory and honor, yet He willingly chose the path of humble service for us.
He used His greatness to serve others.
What Does It Mean That Jesus “Emptied Himself”?
Philippians 2 says that Jesus “emptied Himself.”
That does not mean Jesus stopped being God or gave up His deity.
Look at what Paul says next.
Jesus emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant and becoming human.
His humility was not about becoming less than who He truly is. It was seen in His willingness to take the position of a servant.
The eternal Son humbled Himself by becoming human and taking the form of a servant.
The One who deserved glory willingly stepped into our world and humbled Himself for us.
Jesus’ Humility Led All the Way to the Cross
Jesus’ humility wasn’t just an attitude. It led to action.
Paul says Jesus “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross.”
Jesus didn’t simply tell us what selfless love looks like. He showed us.
The cross shows us the depth of His obedience and love.
THE HUMILITY OF JESUS WASN’T WEAKNESS. IT WAS SELF-GIVING LOVE.
Jesus Is More Than Our Example
Philippians 2 absolutely gives us an example to follow.
We are called to develop the mindset of Jesus. We are called to become humble. We are called to care about others. We are called to serve.
But don’t stop there.
He is the Savior we need.
Jesus didn’t simply live a humble life and tell us to copy Him. He became obedient to death on the cross.
Then Paul says God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name above every name.
One day:
every knee will bow,
every tongue will confess,
and everyone will know:
WE DON’T IMITATE JESUS SO HE WILL SAVE US.
Because Jesus saves us, we begin learning to live like Him.
Two Important Ideas in This Passage
Humility
Biblical humility does not mean believing you are worthless. It means refusing to make yourself the center and learning to genuinely care about the needs and interests of others.
Lord
Philippians 2 ends by declaring that Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus is not simply a good teacher or an example of humility. He is the exalted Lord before whom every knee will one day bow.
True Greatness Looks Like Jesus
Philippians 2:1–11 turns our normal ideas about greatness upside down.
Humility looks beyond yourself.
Instead of making everything about ourselves, we begin
noticing and caring about other people.
Jesus shows us what true humility looks like.
He chose the path of a servant and humbled Himself all the
way to the cross.
Jesus is more than our example.
He is our Savior and Lord.
We don’t become humble so Jesus will save us. Because Jesus has saved us, we begin learning to develop His mindset and love people the way He loves them.
FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS.
SERVE OTHERS WITH HUMILITY AND LOVE.
Where Can You Choose Humility?
Think about the people and situations you will encounter this week.
Finish this sentence: “This week I will serve __________ by __________.”
🎵 The Philippians Student Playlist
Keep Philippians with you after your study is finished. This playlist includes songs connected to the major themes of Philippians—following Jesus, humility, perseverance, joy, peace, identity, contentment, and living for Christ.
Use it while you study, on the way to school, while you work out, or anytime you want to turn your attention back toward Jesus.
🎵 Open the Philippians Playlist in Spotify🙏 A Prayer for the Journey
Jesus, thank You for showing me what true humility and selfless love look like. Thank You for humbling Yourself, becoming a servant, and going to the cross for me.
Show me where selfish ambition and pride are shaping my heart. Help me notice the people around me, care about their needs, and serve them with humility. Teach me to develop Your mindset and become more like You. Amen.
Now Go Live What You Learned.
Your deeper study is finished, but your next move isn’t. Return to your Philippians Guided Journey and think about one person you can intentionally notice, encourage, or serve this week.
True greatness looks like Jesus. Look beyond yourself, choose humility, and serve someone with the selfless love of Christ.
📖 Read the Full Student Commentary
Want the complete written walkthrough of Philippians 2:1–11? The Student Commentary explores humility, selfish ambition, the mindset of Christ, what it means that Jesus “emptied Himself,” His obedience to the cross, and why Jesus is more than simply an example for us to follow.
If you want to go deeper than this study page, open the full commentary and work through the passage section by section.
📖 Read the Full Commentary