In the Christian congregation, there should also be the spirit of mutual consideration and subjection “to one another in fear of Christ.” In this, the elders should give the lead, not “lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock.”

Paul made the entreaty to “walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with complete lowliness of mind and mildness, with long-suffering, putting up with one another in love.”​—Eph. 4:1, 2.

18. (a) What can we learn from Paul’s counsel at Philippians 2:2-4? (b) How is it possible that “others are superior to you”?

¹⁸ He expressed this even more forcefully to the Philippians, saying: “Make my joy full in that you are of the same mind and have the same love, . . . doing nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior to you, keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just your own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of the others.” (Phil. 2:2-4) Are you such a lowly-minded person, or are you self-centered and egotistical, insisting that you are always right in your opinion of things and of people? As a husband or an elder, does your wife or do others in the congregation observe that you are humble-minded? Is it apparent to all that you view others as superior to yourself? Doubtless they are in certain qualities and abilities.