In Us, Not From Us

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. — Philippians 2:12-13

Eight Considerations:

1. Paul refers to the Philippians as “dear friends,” literally “my beloved ones” (ἀγαπητοί μου). After commending their obedient walk up to this point, he encourages them to continue the Christian faith in the same way they began: Obedience.
2. “Therefore” indicates a logical connection with what came before (following through with the idea of “obedience” from 2:8). The connection goes something like: “Since Christ demonstrated such extreme obedience for your sakes, you ought also to follow in his steps.”
3. Lest we think that obedience (typically thought of as works) is unrelated to entrance into the kingdom (typically characterized by faith), it is important to remember that “for Paul faith in Christ is ultimately expressed as obedience to Christ, not in the sense of following the rules, but of coming totally under his lordship” (Fee, Philippians, p. 233). Obedience characterizes true faith (see esp., Rom. 1:5; 15:18; 2 Thess. 1:8; Jm. 2:14-17).
4. The entire command/exhortation in v. 12 hinges on our understanding of the term “salvation.”
   • Contextually, this passage has nothing to say about “getting/becoming saved.” Rather, it speaks to us who are saved and how we should walk in our salvation, particularly in the church and in the world (see, vv. 16-18 for the latter).
   • The “working out your salvation” complements “as you have always obeyed.” In other words, God exhorts us to grow in obedience (“salvation” here is almost synonymous with obedience).
5. Paul has the entire Christian community in mind here, not necessarily individuals. This is a corporate command (so too with 4:19. See also, 1 Cor. 3:16-17). Although the assumption is that it applies at an individual level, the import of this passage is on the Church’s reflection of Christ to secular society (cf., 2:15). How is your church doing? Does your church radiate the glory and grace of Christ to its community?
6. The manner in which the Philippians are to grow in obedience is “with fear and trembling.” This has both horizontal and vertical implications.
   • Horizontally, we are to have a sense of awe and respect for the mighty work of God in our churches. Put differently, we must take seriously our walk with the Lord as it relates to others in our fellowship. What others think does matter!
   • Vertically, since every creature will some day bow to Jesus as Lord (Philip. 2:10), the Church must mirror a degree of reverent submission and humility before her Master (see 2 Cor. 7:15; Eph. 6:5 where the same expression is used).
7. “For it is God . . .” is better translated “because it is God . . .” (see Rom. 6:14 for the same use of the word “γάρ” translated “because” NIV).
   • In effect Paul is telling the Philippians that they are not left to their own resources. All of God’s gracious activity in salvation, from first to last, is accomplished by Him who will “carry it on to completion” (1:6).
   • This activity of God is dynamic and ongoing. Paul sees no tension with exhorting us to do something on the one hand, and showing confidence that it is accomplished by God on the other (see, Rom. 8:12-14 vis-à-vis Rom. 8:4; 1 Cor. 6:11-16; Col. 3:3 vis-à-vis Col. 3:5).
   • Obedience is always “good” for us and part of God’s “purpose” for us, though we don’t always know what His purpose is (cf., Gen. 22:1-18).
8. Finally, Philippians 2:12-13 illustrates the relationship between God’s sovereignty and our responsibility.
   • The text does not say “Work to gain salvation, because God has done his part.” Or, “Perseverance depends entirely on you.” Nor does it say, “Relax! You’re one of the frozen chosen.” Still, it does not say that God is doing the “work” for believers. The command is to us to do something.
   • God works at the level of our wills and provides the determination to obey and the power to carry out His “good purpose.” The work of sanctification (the process of becoming holy) is ultimately accomplished by God, despite our cooperation (1:6)! That we do obey demonstrates God’s will to “act” in us, not our own will to act independently of God’s power.
   • Hence, the ability to “work out” our salvation is in us, but not from us. A will inclined toward God is always a product of God and never the result of self-determination (Jn. 15:1-5; Col. 1:29). Coming to grips with the reality that God is mightily at work in us is anything but a disincentive. The profound significance that God’s sovereign rule over the universe will never be made contingent by the “free” choices of humans should not only intrigue us at the intellectual level, but ignite in us a firm resolve to live every waking moment for Him at the practical level.