Philippians 2

Spurgeon Commentary: Philippians Exposition

In a certain sense, the salvation of every person who believes in Christ is complete, and complete without any working out on his part, seeing that “it is finished,” and we are complete in Jesus. Observe that there are two parts of our salvation, the one complete, the other as yet incomplete, though guaranteed to be brought to perfection. The first part of our salvation consists of a work for us; the second, of a work in us. The work for us is perfect—none can add thereunto. Jesus Christ our Lord has offered a complete atonement for all the offenses of His people. He took His people into union with Himself, and by that union they became entitled to all the merit of His righteousness; they became partakers of His everlasting life, and inheritors of His glory. Saints are therefore saved completely so far as substitutionary work is concerned. Such was the meaning of those majestic death-words of our Lord, “It is finished.” He had finished transgression, made an end of sin, and brought in everlasting righteousness, and thus perfected forever those who are set apart. Now with the work of Christ we cannot intermeddle; we are never told to work that out, but to receive it by faith. The blessing comes “to the one who does not work, but who believes in the one who justifies the ungodly” (Rom 4:5). Justification is not at all by human effort, but by the free gift of God.

Paul is exhorting them to continue on the path to which they started. The starting point for that was that they believed in Christ. Paul wants them to do more than believe. He wants them to put to practice their faith. I would argue that Paul desires for the church at Phillipi and us that we are to be obedient as well.

He uses the same type of language in 1 corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Looking back at verse 12, Paul doesn’t mean that they are without error , but he is motivating them to become more like Christ.

Paul is exhorting them to continue on the path to which they started. He uses the same type of language in 1 corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Remember Paul is speaking to the Christians at Philippi. He is not talking unbelievers. Understanding this helps us understand the text better.

Spurgeon Commentary: Philippians Exposition

In a certain sense, the salvation of every person who believes in Christ is complete, and complete without any working out on his part, seeing that “it is finished,” and we are complete in Jesus. Observe that there are two parts of our salvation, the one complete, the other as yet incomplete, though guaranteed to be brought to perfection. The first part of our salvation consists of a work for us; the second, of a work in us. The work for us is perfect—none can add thereunto. Jesus Christ our Lord has offered a complete atonement for all the offenses of His people. He took His people into union with Himself, and by that union they became entitled to all the merit of His righteousness; they became partakers of His everlasting life, and inheritors of His glory. Saints are therefore saved completely so far as substitutionary work is concerned. Such was the meaning of those majestic death-words of our Lord, “It is finished.” He had finished transgression, made an end of sin, and brought in everlasting righteousness, and thus perfected forever those who are set apart. Now with the work of Christ we cannot intermeddle; we are never told to work that out, but to receive it by faith. The blessing comes “to the one who does not work, but who believes in the one who justifies the ungodly” (Rom 4:5). Justification is not at all by human effort, but by the free gift of God.

I believe the words of Spurgeon. We are fully justified by the work of Jesus Christ. But we must address what the text is saying…

Yes we Work out your salvation. remember Paul is speaking to the Christians

the question is do we work out our salvation? My answer is Yes we work out our salvation. Listen to the following Scriptures as I show you how we work out our salvation.

I believe the words of Spurgeon. We are fully justified by the work of Jesus Christ. But we must address what the text is saying…

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For i was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Our works testify that we belong to God.

There is something we cant miss in this text right…

BUT first God must work is us.... Look at verse 12 for it is God who works in you!!

He chose us in him before the foundations of the world.

we love because he first loved us

he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.

He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.

The order is important in this text…

We can work out our salvation because he first works in us. Our works will never save us, but it does show that we belong to them.

Remember the contecy

Notice how we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.. not by boasting in works, or parading around our righteous. But with fear and trembling. What should this fear look like? We should have a fear of God that makes us stand of awe of who he is. says it best, Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”

Do you approach God with fear and trembling?

and rejoice with trembling.

Finally verse 13 closes out with the statement to work for his good pleasure.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to the Philippians D. Work out Your Salvation (2:12–18)

The goal of God’s work is the fulfillment of the good purpose of God. God fulfills his own good purpose by working in us to will and to work out our own salvation. When God’s creative work is demonstrated by Christians living and working together in harmony and unity, his purpose is fulfilled

After this Paul changes directions a little bit.

Verse 14 God does not like grumbling. Grumbling is nothing new to God. And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! The must have forgot that the Lord saved them from Captivity. But we are just like them. says, “We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

When it comes to disputing there is unfortunately alot of it in the church. Last week we touched on that briefly. Often, we have the disputes for the lesser things, and neglect true gospel issues. Paul says do all things without grumbling or disputing. Unity is more important than preference and convenience.

verse 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation among whom you shine as lights in the world. Remember several weeks ago I mentioned we can live lives worthy of the gospel if we stand firm, strive for the gospel do so without fear, and have unity with one another. Last week we saw how Christ lived, perfect blameless life looking out for our own interests. IF WE LIVE FOR GOD, we will be set apart from the world.

Paul here in verse 15 is quoting which says, “They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation. The world will twist the truths of God, but we are to be lights in the world. The word light translates phos. In this text he is meaning to live as light by there good works. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. As light we must position ourselves in a way that can be most visible.

explains this concept even more, “Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Are you showing your light to others?

they are no longer his children because they are blemished;

they are a crooked and twisted generation

16. I love verse 16. Without the word of God, we will never know God. The gospel of Jesus Christ is found in the word of God. Scripture contains all that is needed for life and godliness. SO WE MUST hold fast to the word of God. The crooked generation may try and destroy but we must defend it. God, the apostles, your pastors, your sunday school teachers, your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ you teach you about the word of God dont want to labor in vain. Paul was to appear before God to give an account of his ministry so will any other person who teaches the word of God. Paul wants you to live this Christian life in such a way that has labor is not in vain. Paul teaches us how to live this life in he says,"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

"Awake, O sleeper,

and arise from the dead,

17-18. Paul did not fear being martyred, because he knew he lived a life worthy of the gospel, striving to equip the saints for the work of the Lord. If he died He did not want them to be sad, he wanted them to rejoice. That is a mindset and a life I wish I will one day have.

and Christ will shine on you."

19-30 we are introduced to 2 men Timothy and Epaphroditus.

19-23. He hopes to send Timothy… Timothy is Pauls mentee. He is to continue the work that Paul began. Everyone needs a Paul, and everyone needs a timothy. Timothy is described in these verses as a son to Paul. says he is a true son in the faith. Paul and Timothy share the same mind, and the same Love for the people of Phillipi. Timothy is an example of one who serves the church and not himself. Paul also wants to send timothy, because they know Timothy and know that he will hold fast to the teachings of Paul.

24. He makes the statement that he too desires to come back.

Finally we are introduced to Epaphroditus.

Epaphroditus is one of reasons this book was written.

Verse 25 the people of Philippi sent him to minister to Pauls need.

Verse 27, 30 show that he fulfilled that task but became deathly ill.

verse 28-29 tell us he will carry the letter back to them.