Philippians 2:4-8

“Let each of you not consider anything to be your own, but rather to belong to others. Who, though he was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be seized. Instead, he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and accepting the state of a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, even the death of the Cross.”

This passage presents the highest standard of humility—Christ Himself. Though He was divine, He did not cling to His divine privileges but instead emptied Himself, taking on human form, suffering, and ultimately dying on the cross for the sake of others. His life was not one of self-service but of complete self-sacrifice.

Paul calls us to embody this humility, to belong not to ourselves but to others. True humility is not simply thinking less of ourselves—it is thinking of others first. It is living a life where everything we do is not for our own gain but for the service of those around us.

A Life of Complete Selflessness

Consider this radical way of living:

• If you are hungry, feed another.
• If you cook, do so not for yourself but for others.
• If you bathe, let it be to cleanse another rather than yourself.
• If you seek joy, let it not harm others but rather bring them happiness.
• If you love, let your love be directed outward, not inward.
• If you cry, let it be for the pain of another, not your own lament.
• If you are angry, let it be in defense of others, not your own pride.
• If you walk, let it be to help another walk farther, not for your own rest.
• If you speak, let your words build up another, never tear them down.
• If you think, let your thoughts be for others, not yourself.

This is no small task. It demands an entire transformation of the heart—a shift from self-centeredness to other-centeredness. But this is precisely what Christ did. He did not live for Himself; He lived for others.

Christ, the Ultimate Example of Servanthood

We see this throughout Scripture. When Christ multiplied food, there is no mention of Him eating—only of Him feeding others. When His disciples asked who would be the greatest, He responded that the greatest among them would be the servant of all.

Humility is not a passive virtue—it is active service. St. John Chrysostom captures this beautifully when he speaks of theft: “Which is worse? The man who steals gold or the man who steals silver? In reality, they are the same. The real sin is found in the inclination or attitude of the heart that leads to theft.” The same can be said of selfishness. Whether we blatantly neglect others or simply fail to act when we could, the heart condition remains the same.

What difference is there between the one who steals food and the one who walks past a starving person without sharing? If we do only what is necessary for ourselves without regard for others, we are failing to live in humility. Even Christ, in the Garden of Gethsemane, asked for the suffering of the cross to pass from Him. Yet He ended His prayer with “Not my will, but Yours be done.” He did not act for Himself but for the salvation of creation.

The Path of Humility: St. Paisios’ Wisdom

A striking example of humility is found in the life of St. Paisios. One day, a university professor, a wealthy man who had lived a life contrary to the faith, approached him at Mount Athos. The man sought guidance, wanting to change his life. Rather than simply telling him to pray, Paisios challenged him with radical humility.

He asked, “Could you live on just 10% of your income?” The man replied, “Yes.”
Paisios then told him: “Then give the rest to charity and spend your life volunteering in a hospital.”

This was not about earning salvation through works. It was about reshaping the heart. St. Augustine famously said: “The way to Christ is first through humility, second through humility, third through humility.”

Humility is not just an attitude—it is an action. It is lowering ourselves so that others may be lifted up. It is seeing the needs of others as greater than our own.

Dying to Self, Living for Others

For another example is when Christ knowing it was his last day of life on Earth, decided to wash the feet of his disciples. This is the humility that we need to posses. And to achieve this , we must begin to ourselves.

If you desire the mercy of God, can you forget about yourself and think only of others? This is impossible in its fullness, but our efforts will not go unnoticed by the One who humbled Himself unto death for our sake.

To be recognized by Christ, we must be like Christ. We must die to ourselves and live for others. There is no greater calling, no higher way of living, than to be a servant in the image of our Lord.