Bible Strands
Philippians 2:4
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Philippian congregation, placing this exhortation between the call to regard others as more important (v. 3) and the Christ-hymn that follows (v. 5).
The words — σκοποῦντες (skopountes, "considering") comes from σκοπέω, which means to fix one's gaze on a target or aim carefully at an object; it is the operative verb and frames the whole verse as a matter of directed attention, not mere feeling.
The thread — 1 Corinthians 10:24 and Romans 15:1 repeat the same principle in Paul's own letters; James 2:8 grounds it in the Leviticus command to love one's neighbor as oneself.
Why it lands — The command is on the aim of your attention: you are to look at others' interests alongside your own, not instead of them, and the text gives no exception for when that is inconvenient.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 10:24 No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.
- Romans 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
- James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
- 1 Corinthians 10:32 Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—
- Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
- 1 Corinthians 12:22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
- Romans 14:19 So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
- 2 Corinthians 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?