This verse functions as an introductory formula for the hymn (cf. Eph 5.14; 1 Tim 1.15; 3.16; 2 Tim 2.11).

The Greek of this verse is somewhat cryptic; it is literally “this you think in you which also in Christ Jesus.” “This” does not refer back to what has been said in verses 2-4, but rather introduces what comes after. The verb translated “you think” (which has already appeared in 1.7 and 2.2) connotes more than mere thinking (it is rendered “feel” by Good News Bible in 1.7). It denotes primarily, not an act of thinking, but a state of mind, an inward disposition. It signifies sympathetic interests and concern, reflecting the action of the “heart” as well as the “head.” In this context the verb is best rendered “have the attitude” (Good News Translation Goodspeed New American Bible Barclay). The mood of the verb is present imperative.

“In you” in this context is best taken in the sense of “among you” or “within your Christian community,” not “within you” in the sense of “in your hearts.” The exact sense of the clause can best be brought out by restructuring; thus Good News Translation has the attitude you should have is…, and New American Bible “your attitude must be….” Since the action implied in the verb is continuous, the clause can also be translated “the attitude you should always have is….” Barclay is even more explicit: “try always to have the same attitude…” (cf. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).

The second half of the verse presents translators with two problems. Since the clause is without a verb, the first problem is to determine what verb to supply. One solution is to supply the main verb used in the first part of the verse, that is, “think among yourselves that which also you think in Christ Jesus.” The resulting meaning then would be “have among yourselves the disposition which you experience in Christ Jesus,” or “adopt toward one another the same attitude you adopt towards Christ Jesus.” This interpretation is followed by Moffatt: “treat one another with the same spirit as you experience in Christ Jesus.” Another suggestion is to supply the verb “was,” with the resulting meaning “have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (cf. King James Version American Standard Version). New English Bible appears to adopt the latter interpretation as an alternative rendering: “have that bearing towards one another which was also found in Christ Jesus.” This solution seems to suit the context better.

Closely related to this problem is another: how to interpret the expression “in Christ Jesus.” It is argued by several commentators that the regular Pauline sense of “in communion with Christ Jesus,” or more specifically “in your Christian fellowship,” is the meaning in this context also. Paul would then be urging the Philippian Christians to put into practice in their common life the disposition or attitude (described in vv. 2-4) proper to those who are members of Christ’s church.

However, the context seems to indicate that the characteristic Pauline sense of the expression should not be pressed in this particular instance. It is rather to be interpreted in the sense of “that belonged to Christ Jesus” or, as Good News Translation renders it, that Christ Jesus had (cf. Goodspeed Barclay). With this interpretation, the transition to the Christological hymn becomes natural. Paul is here making an appeal to Christ as the supreme example of humility—an act of utter self-negation. The past tense “Christ Jesus had” is significant, since Christ’s attitude of humility is exemplified in his accomplished saving acts. Note that in Greek all the verbs (except verse 11) and participles (except the first) used in the hymn are in the aorist tense. Christians are only called upon to tread the path already trodden by Christ himself (cf. 1 Peter 2.21-25).

In a number of languages the closest equivalent of attitude is “thinking.” Therefore verse 5 may be rendered as “You should think the same way that Jesus Christ thought.” However, in the hymn which follows more is involved than mere thinking. The emphasis is on what Jesus Christ did, and attitude must be understood in a broader sense than mere thinking. This may be expressed in some languages as “What you do should be the same as what Jesus Christ did.”

Quoted with permission from Luo, I-Jin. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1977. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .