What Does Philippians 2:4 Mean in the King James?

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Philippians 2:4 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The verse treats attention as a field that widens: another person’s concerns enter the same line of sight as your own.

THE MEANING

Your concerns remain in view, while the concerns of others also enter your field of attention. The verse speaks to you in a shared human space where another person’s interests count alongside yours.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that only your own concerns deserve a place in your attention.

THE ROOT

σκοπέω

skopeō

GROWS FROM

σκοπ-

skop-

to watch, observe, or direct attention toward something

Here, “look” means deliberate attention, not a passing glance. The verse widens that attention so another person’s concerns come into view alongside your own.

ALSO GROWS

skopos: mark, target, or goal

σκοπός

A target gives attention a direction; here, another person’s concerns enter that direction.

episkopeō: to oversee or watch over

ἐπισκοπέω

The same root’s watchfulness can extend into care for what is happening to another.

THE PATTERN

Shared regard expands beyond one’s own concerns to include another person’s needs and good.

If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

Exodus 23:5 · KJVAnother’s burden comes into view even when that person is an enemy.

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 7:12 · KJVThe other person’s experience becomes part of the measure by which you regard them.

Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

Romans 15:2 · KJVAttention turns toward the neighbor’s good and what builds them up.

THE THREAD

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Philippians 3:17 · KJV

The word translated “mark” here is the same verb translated “look” in Philippians 2:4. In one verse, attention rests on others’ concerns; in the other, it notices people whose way of walking offers a pattern.

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