Free Bible Commentary
“Philippians 2:12-13”
Categories: Philippians“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
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I love this passage because it demonstrates clearly that salvation is a two-way street. Salvation required work on God’s part, and it requires work on our part. When Paul wrote that we were saved by grace, not as a result of works in Ephesians 2:8-9, He was writing about the “system” of grace that saves as opposed to the “system” of legal works that attempts to make God indebted to us. It should be obvious by passages like today’s that works of righteousness are absolutely required if we are to “work out,” or “bring to completion” our own salvation.
Even in Ephesians chapter 2 Paul wrote that we are saved by grace “through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Faithfulness unto death is a lifelong work that brings salvation to its final and ultimate fruition (John 6:29; Revelation 2:10). Paul went on to write in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Peter wrote that “the outcome of your faith” is “the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:9). Jesus became “to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).
Here is just a small sampling of the kinds of obedient works that God demands of His faithful followers while they serve Him in faith and love with the earthly lives He entrusts to them. The journey of faith begins when we are convicted of our sins, and repent of them and are baptized to have them forgiven (Acts 2:38). All faithful Christians must regularly assemble with people of like, precious faith (Hebrews 10:25), and must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 2:24). Individually, we are expected to live righteous lives (Titus 2:1-12), and to help the needy as our own abilities allow us (Matthew 25:31-46; James 1:27).
But even though God has given us works to do, He has not left us alone in the working out of our salvation. “It is God who is at work in” us (verse 13). When we place our faith and trust in our Creator, He becomes the driving force behind our efforts. And let’s be honest, He is the one who has done, and continues to do, all the “heavy lifting” and carries the brunt of workload. And our just God would never require more than any of us is capable of giving. The Parable of the Talents is a great illustration of how God only expects a person to give “according to his own ability” (Matthew 25:14-30).
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Please read Philippians 2:14-18 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
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