Philippians 2:12
- ¶ 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. (Philippians 2:12)
This is a verse often used to say that our salvation is in our own hands, that it depends on our work. Looking at the surrounding verses in the same chapter, and even the surrounding chapters to gather context, I would say they instead support the notion that Paul was giving an exhortation to believers to do good works for the glory of God, not that this verse was a warning about how one can lose their salvation.
Starting in the previous chapter, you can see that the book of Philippians was addressed to saints (those who are saved), which refutes the idea of those who claim Philippians 2:12 tells people how to get saved:
- ¶ Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: (Philippians 1:1)
And the verse following Phillipians 2:12 also shows us this isn't about how to get saved, we can see Paul's talking about how we end up glorify God:
- For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
So let's take a look at the exhortation found in the chapter. I don't want to break this up too much because the text doesn't need to be to clearly see what he's talking about. Starting at the beginning and working our way through, see how Paul wants the believers to act:
- ¶ If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11)
- ¶ Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 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; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:14-18)
Does this really sound like someone explaining how to go to heaven? Or does it sound like a wise man encouraging the believers to live more mature lives in service to God?
As we work out our bodies to make them stronger, I think we can "work out" our heeding to the Holy Ghost like a muscle. Realizing the salvation we already have we're encouraged to work that out in our daily lives resting in the assurance of reward for our labors and everlasting life at the end of the journey.
Concerning the fear and trembling, I believe we can see in other scriptures that this is talking about respect:
- And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. (Mark 5:30-33)
- And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (Acts 9:6)
- Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:29-30)
- And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all [things]. (2 Corinthians 7:15-16)
- Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; (Ephesians 6:5)
So I believe Paul was asking those believers to have respect for the salvation they had of God and to share it with the world in a way that glorifies God. Remembering verse 13:
- For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
If this verse isn't read in the context of the rest of the chapter, I can understand how someone can be afraid of such a verse, but I think our answer is quite clear if we examine the context.
A final verse comes to mind, as much for me as for anyone:
- For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20)