Philippins 2:12

Scripture

Philippians 2:12 (KJV 1900)

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONTEXT:

Where does Biblical Salvation come from?

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:5–8 KJV 1900

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Romans 3:20–24 KJV 1900

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV 1900

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

The Command

Work out your own salvation…

κατεργάζομαι 📷 katergazomai do; bring about; produce; to work; to bring the most out of;

I believe in this context, the most fitting is “to get the most out of”

A student working out a math problem

A Farmer working out a field

A minor working out his mine - With a bucket and a shovel

He is convinced there is Gold in the mine

He has been given the Mine at the expense of another man’s perfect sacrificial work.

It’s his responsibility to get the most out of it.

The Context

Wherefore…

1. Since Jesus made himself of no reputation, took upon himself the form of a servant, humbled himself, became obedient, even unto the death of the Cross…

2. Since the father glorified Jesus to the extent that he will make all the world approve of Jesus Christ…

ill. God approved the work of Christ to that extent.

We must not miss that Paul’s coming statement is linked to what he just informed us about Jesus Christ.

My Beloved…

Paul loved the Philippians. He had a special relationship with them.

Question - Why did he tell them he loved them so often?

Philippians 1:3 KJV 1900

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Philippians 1:7 KJV 1900

Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

Philippians 1:8 KJV 1900

For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Paul’s writing clearly show a heart of love not of condemnation, or of scholarly concern. He truly cares about them.

Application: We need to love people if we expect to be able to instruct or guide someone.

The Qualifiers

As ye have always obeyed…

Obedience is part of what working out your salvation looks like.

Not as in my presence only, But now much more in my absence…

Before we seek for our own application, we must seek to understand what Paul wanted the Philippians to understand.

Not just in the presence of Godly leadership, but even more in the absence of it.

2 Chronicles 24:2 KJV 1900

And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

What you do when no one else is around matters.

Your obedience to God outside of Church is even more important.

Our obedience brings glory to God

Romans 1:5 (KJV 1900)

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

2. Our obedience is good for others.

Philippians 2:15 KJV 1900

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

3. Our obedience is good for own sakes…

Isaiah 1:19 (KJV 1900)

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

Work out your own salvation…

Work - Labour - Read your bible, Pray, Walk with the Lord, Be obedient to God

Your Own - You own it, it has been gifted to you personally. It isn’t anybody else’s to work out

Salvaion - The Salvation given by God, Done by he work of Christ.

With fear and trembling…

“Bring the most out of…”

It’s like a Minor with a Bucket and his Shovel