Work Out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling

Philippians 2:12-13, NKJV

While Paul was in jail in Rome, he wrote this letter to his Christian friends at Philippi. He affectionately called them “my beloved” (v. 12a). Paul never stopped praying for these saints, making requests for them with joy for he was confident that “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (1:4-6). He urged the Philippian Christians to live humbly like Christ; He suffered and gave His life on the cross for sinners, and God has highly exalted Him (vv. 1-11). 

Paul urged the Philippians, just as they were always obedient in his presence, but now much more in his absence, to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (v.12). Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” says: work out your own salvation “refers especially to freedom from strife and vainglory.” Strife and vainglory are selfish, disruptive works of the flesh. Exercise the faith that God has given you; grow spiritually and produce fruit of the Spirit which endures to everlasting life. Paul told them to work out their salvation with “fear and trembling.” Christians are expected to respect and reverence God and not go contrary to His will for their lives. Our responsibility is to align our lives with the work of God to fulfill the purpose that He has given us. “It is God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (v.13).

Give God praise!