Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13
“Fear and trembling”?
Thank you for asking!
Over the centuries, there have been some preachers and some commentators that have a field day with these verses. What they often do is to quote them something like this: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, lest…”
Do you see a problem? When you read the verses and compare them with the “quote” is something missing? Was something added? By the way, don’t forget you must deal with the “therefore” that is the first word in verse 12. What does it refer to? It refers to 2:1-11; are these verses about going to hell? No way! They are about humility, godliness and the example of Christ which results in salvation… but don’t forget that section also begins with “therefore” so we need to go all the way back to chapter 1, where Paul set the context, which is rejoicing in suffering because God’s purpose is being advanced. Dear reader, these verses are not a threat that God is waiting for an excuse to smite somebody and ship them off to hell, they are about His purpose. As you will see shortly, this view is confirmed in the verses that follow, so fear not!
Let’s start over: verse 12…
Notice how Paul’s tone is one of encouragement; “…as you have always obeyed”, keep it up! Continue “to work out your salvation” yes, you’ve been doing fine, keep it up! Also, let’s not forget that he isn’t talking about earning salvation, for salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, even more remember that salvation isn’t the end of the story, it’s the beginning. Nobody is talking about going to hell here; Paul is encouraging the people to live lives “worthy of the Gospel”, “or it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
“Fear and trembling” is another way of saying “reverent awe” and in this context, the reverent awe isn’t about God’s wrath, it is referring to God working out His purpose through you and me. Think about that for a moment, let’s slow down; The God of all creation has a purpose. He is working at accomplishing this great purpose day and night, and He wants you to be involved so that He can work His purpose through you. What is His purpose? It’s redemption, for His love for all people is so great that He wants to redeem them to Himself, and He wants you and I to be agents of His love. No sir, these verses are not scary threats, they are wonderful encouragement! That encouragement will continue in the verses that follow.
How very sad it is that so many have taken a phrase out of context to scare people! May God have mercy…
Life Project Blog 
Reblogged this on Welcome to my Adventure and commented:
Dude.
Good stuff. I love how real he made this verse.
😀
Amen Don Amen!!
🙂
Thank you for placing this verse within its context! We are so busy quoting verse(s) that the context is forgotten! When this happens, the verse is seen in a false light with false interpretation. In fact, it is not light at all! This is why we are admonished to study to show ourselves approved of God–rightly dividing the word of truth! Amen!
Thanks Pam!
Good, again, brother.
Paul was very clear about His desire to see believers being “profitable”.
1 Tim 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Physical repetition of behaviors the purpose of which is to please men (or, to avoid hell) does not profit. The appropriate desire to please God by faith is put into men by God, Himself. And, it draws men to Jesus.
Maybe men should fear not being profitable- not laying up for themselves treasure in heaven.
Another great comment my friend, thanks!
In our present state as mortals, it presume it would be fearful to be in God’s presence for God indeed is definitively awesome. As I work out my salvation through the sanctifying grace of our Lord, I am aware of His supreme justice and I seek to live in a way that God may be glorified. In humble reverence I invite the Holy Spirit to shape me more in the likeness of Christ. It is here that our desire to consecrate our entire being unto holiness of heart is imperative to enjoy sweet fellowship with the God of our salvation.
Well stated, thanks!
Thank you for this clarification of the verses. As others have referred to, taking verses out of context is so easily done and then we get a false representation of what was really said,
Good word, thanks for the post… God bless and keep it up…..
Thanks!
Thank you, Don.
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