Episode 322 - "Be obedient to God's work in your life" - Philippians 2:12-13

Phil. 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Yes . . . I know it’s only two verses. But there are some intriguing things in these two verses. The first thing we want to consider is the word “Therefore.” It’s one of those big points that is made in a Bible Study Methods class, and the saying goes, “Whenever you see a 'therefore,' you want to go back in the text to find out what it’s 'there for.’” In other words, what follows the “therefore” must be interpreted in light of what was said before.

It’s important to apply it here; otherwise, we can’t really understand what Paul is telling the Philippian believers when he says, “as you have always obeyed, so now not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (v. 12) What are they to obey, and what does that have to do with fear and trembling?

In the beginning of the letter, Paul recalls their “participation in the gospel from the first day until now” and then assures them that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:5-6) Shortly after, he explained that he prays that their “love may abound more and more with knowledge and discernment” (v. 9). He continues by exhorting them to be unified and to stand firm in the gospel, because he knows they will face persecution. (vv. 27-29) The means by which they can do this is to adopt the same kind of mindset or attitude demonstrated by Christ in humbling himself to leave the glory of heaven, entering into his own creation, becoming a servant to his human creatures, and being “obedient” to death on a cross.

Ah! There’s something. Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will that he die for the sins of the world. We could say that Jesus was obedient to the gospel. So then, if the same God who sent his Son into the world to bring us the gospel and the hope of forgiveness of sins and eternal life, also began a good work in Jesus’ followers, it’s reasonable to interpret this call to obedience of the Philippian believers as a call to obedience to the gospel that God would direct in their lives.

So, our next question then should likely be, “So what does that have to do with 'work out your salvation with fear and trembling?’” Furthermore, one might argue, “I thought salvation was by faith and not by works.” Given that our immediate context informs us that it was God who began the good work in them suggests that Paul is not telling them that their salvation is based on their works. Further reading of Paul’s letters reinforces the idea that God’s salvation for us is based on His work through Christ. God gets the credit for our salvation. Therefore, what Paul is saying in “work out your salvation” is to be obedient to the gospel and continue doing the good things God has been doing in their lives. Is there any way we can verify that meaning? Look at verse 13. “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Clearly, what Paul means is for them to cooperate, or rather, be obedient, to what God wants them to do in standing firm in their faith and demonstrating love and being unified.

So, why should they do this with “fear and trembling?” The explanatory clause of verse 13, indicated by the word “for,” suggests a reverential kind of fear. We should not take the idea of doing good works of serving others lightly, because we diminish what Christ has done for us on the cross by not showing the same concern and love for others.

That’s pretty heavy for two verses, isn’t it? May the Lord instill the remembrance of his love toward us so that we will show love to others as the Lord works His works through us.