Lights in the World

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.

This unit introduces the conclusions Paul draws for the Philippians from Christ’s example in the preceding paragraph. Verse 12 takes imperative form, and verse 13 provides further justification for the command, but in the Greek the two form one cohesive sentence.

Question: What is salvation?

Lexham Theological Wordbook Salvation

Salvation is the rescue from a state of danger and restoration to wholeness and prosperity. In the Bible people are “saved” from foreign nations, from enemies, and from the penalty of sin. Salvation also entails health, wholeness, and victory.

Romans 10:13 “for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

Salvation in the Bible reference to a state of deliverance from danger or sickness. In the case of (Philippians 2:12-13) Paul is praising the people of Philippi and telling them how to work out their salvation.

Lexham Theological Wordbook Theological Overview

In the OT, God saved (יָשַׁע, yāšaʿ) the Israelites from Egypt (Exod 14:30). Salvation also may involve prosperity, safety, and the reversal of negative circumstances (e.g., 1 Sam 2:1). The nouns related to Hebrew yāšaʿ have a wide range of meanings, such as deliverance and vindication (יְשׁוּעָה, yĕšûʿâ, “salvation”; Job 13:16) and military victory (יֵשַׁע, yēšaʿ, “salvation”; Pss 18:2; 20:6). Salvation may also involve deliverance from danger in general (Job 5:4, 6), deliverance from exile (Isa 45:17), and deliverance from blood guilt (Psa 51:14).

All through out the OT God gave salvation for His people. In verse 13 Paul is telling the people of Philippi the God is working in them. Not for our good but for His good.

Be the Light

Philippians 2:14–16 NASB95

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

Paul’s second command provides a more specific example of the obedience he calls for in 2:12. Verse 15 explains the purpose of what Paul commands in 2:14, and 2:16 connects their obedience of the command to Paul’s own ministry. The Philippians’ unity demonstrates the success of Paul’s labor with them, for children of God are unified in the sharing of Christ.

John 8:12 NASB95

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

Question: What is it to be without reproach?

In Philippians 2:1-11 Paul is telling use to be like Christ. Here in Phil 2:14 he starts off by telling them to be without reproach, in other words he is saying blameless. Do not argue. Be children of God in a corrupt world. Then in verse 15 he says, “to be as lights”. Be like Christ. Then in verse 16 he says hold to the word of God.

Psalms 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Rejoice

Philippians 2:17–18 NASB95

But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Lexham Theological Wordbook Joy

Joy is the sense or state of gladness or elation that people experience through their relationship with God and through good things in their lives.

Psalm 47:1 NASB95

O clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy.

Paul goes on in Philippians 4 to tell them that he is content in any circumstances.

Philippians 4:12–13 NASB95

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Paul tells us to rejoice in every circumstances. He say He rejoices and shares his joy with them and he tells them to rejoice and share their joy with him.

Paul urges them to rejoice just as we are all to rejoice in all of our circumstances. We are to be like Christ and share our joy with others. Be the light in the corrupt world. let others see Jesus in us. let God word through us and shine in the dark.

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