The Meaning of Philippians 2:12 Explained

Philippians 2:12

KJV: 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.

YLT: So that, my beloved, as ye always obey, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, with fear and trembling your own salvation work out,

Darby: So that, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much rather in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

ASV: So then, my beloved, even 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;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Philippians 2:12 Mean?

Study Notes

salvation
.
The Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία , safety, preservation, healing, and soundness). Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation is in three tenses:
(1) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin Luke 7:50 ; 1 Corinthians 1:18 ; 2 Corinthians 2:15 ; Ephesians 2:5 ; Ephesians 2:8 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 and is safe.
(2) the believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin Romans 6:14 ; Philippians 1:19 ; Philippians 2:12 ; Philippians 2:13 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; Romans 8:2 ; Galatians 2:19 ; Galatians 2:20 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18 .
(3) The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. Romans 13:11 ; Hebrews 10:36 ; 1 Peter 1:5 ; 1 John 3:2 . Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without works; Romans 3:27 ; Romans 3:28 ; Romans 4:1-8 ; Romans 6:23 ; Ephesians 2:8 . The divine order is: first salvation, then works; Ephesians 2:9 ; Ephesians 2:10 ; Titus 3:5-8 .

Verse Meaning

The Philippian Christians had been obedient to the Lord and to His servant Paul in the past (cf. Philippians 1:27). Even though Paul was no longer with them and might be unable to return to them, he wanted them to continue to obey. The Greek word translated "obey" (hypakouein) contains the ideas of hearing, especially the divine word as proclaimed (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8), and submitting to what is heard. [1] It was even more important that they purpose to obey with Paul absent since his presence among them provided a measure of external motivation for them.
Specifically they were to work out their salvation. Note that Paul did not say "work for your salvation." We obtain salvation by receiving it as a gift ( Ephesians 2:8), but having received it freely we have a responsibility to cultivate it. The apostle had in mind the present aspect of our salvation, sanctification, in which we are laborers together with God ( 1 Corinthians 3:9; cf. Titus 3:8). [2] In justification and glorification, God does all the work ( Ephesians 2:9; Jude 1:24). We work out our salvation by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit who leads us in the will of God ( Galatians 5:16). In the context the particular aspect of sanctification in view involves achieving unity through humility.
"Paul is not here concerned with the eternal welfare of the soul of the individual. The individual believer is not now being called "to self-activity, to the active pursuit of the will of God ... to a personal application of salvation" (Mller). Rather the context suggests that this command is to be understood in a corporate sense. The entire church, which had grown spiritually ill ( Philippians 2:3-4), is charged now with taking whatever steps are necessary to restore itself to health and wholeness." [3]
"Perhaps it is best to see both the outworking of personal salvation and the corporate salvation or deliverance of the whole assembly from whatever held them back from experiencing God"s best." [2]
As we work out our own sanctification, we must remember certain things. We serve a holy God, we have a strong and wise adversary, and we are weak and dependent on God for all that we need. Such awareness will produce the attitude of fear and trembling that Paul advocated. This attitude is not inconsistent with joy and confidence in the Lord.

Context Summary

Philippians 2:12-18 - Lights In The World
The sublime visions of the Apostle of the glory of the divine Redeemer are always linked with practical exhortation. Do nothing through pride and vainglory. Look on the things of others. Count others better than yourself. Work out what God is working in. Your heart is God's workshop! His Spirit is there, striving against selfishness, pride, impurity, and vanity, but you must consolidate each holy impulse in speech and act. Be careful of every such movement in your soul; it will become clearer and more definite as you yield to it, and it will be corroborated by outward circumstances, which God will open before you. But exercise fear and trembling, just as the young pupil of a great master will be nervously careful not to lose one thought or suggestion which he may impart.
In this manner you will become as a lighthouse on a rockbound coast, shining with blameless and beneficent beauty among your companions. Light is silent, but it reveals. Light is gentle, but it is mighty in its effects. Light departs when the sun is down, but it may be maintained by various luminaries until dawn again breaks. As we shine, we shall be consumed, but the sacrifice will not be in vain. [source]

Chapter Summary: Philippians 2

1  Paul exhorts them to unity, and to all humbleness of mind, by the example of Christ's humility;
12  to a careful proceeding in the way of salvation, that they be as lights to a wicked world,
16  and comforts to him their apostle, who is now ready to be offered up to God
19  He hopes to send Timothy to them, and Epaphroditus also

Greek Commentary for Philippians 2:12

Not as in my presence only [μη ως εν τηι παρουσιαι μονον]
B and a few other MSS. omit ως — hōs The negative μη — mē goes with the imperative κατεργαζεστε — katergazesthe (work out), not with υπηκουσατε — hupēkousate (obeyed) which would call for ουχ — ouch [source]
Much more [πολλωι μαλλον]
They are not to render eye-service only when Paul is there, but much more when he is away. Work out (κατεργαζεστε — katergazesthe). Perfective use of κατα — kata (down) in composition, work on to the finish. This exhortation assumes human free agency in the carrying on the work of one‘s salvation. With fear and trembling “Not slavish terror, but wholesome, serious caution” (Vincent). “A nervous and trembling anxiety to do right” (Lightfoot). Paul has no sympathy with a cold and dead orthodoxy or formalism that knows nothing of struggle and growth. He exhorts as if he were an Arminian in addressing men. He prays as if he were a Calvinist in addressing God and feels no inconsistency in the two attitudes. Paul makes no attempt to reconcile divine sovereignty and human free agency, but boldly proclaims both. [source]
Work out [κατεργαζεστε]
Perfective use of κατα — kata (down) in composition, work on to the finish. This exhortation assumes human free agency in the carrying on the work of one‘s salvation. [source]
With fear and trembling [μετα ποβου και τρομου]
“Not slavish terror, but wholesome, serious caution” (Vincent). “A nervous and trembling anxiety to do right” (Lightfoot). Paul has no sympathy with a cold and dead orthodoxy or formalism that knows nothing of struggle and growth. He exhorts as if he were an Arminian in addressing men. He prays as if he were a Calvinist in addressing God and feels no inconsistency in the two attitudes. Paul makes no attempt to reconcile divine sovereignty and human free agency, but boldly proclaims both. [source]
Not as in my presence only []
Connect with work out, not with obeyed. Do not work out your salvation as though impelled to action by my presence merely. [source]
Much more []
Than if I were present; for in my absence even greater zeal and care are necessary. [source]
Work out your own salvation [τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν κατεργάζασθε]
Carry out “to the goal” (Bengel). Complete. See on Romans 7:8. Your own salvation. There is a saving work which God only can do for you; but there is also a work which you must do for yourselves. The work of your salvation is not completed in God's work in you. God's work must be carried out by yourselves. “Whatever rest is provided by Christianity for the children of God, it is certainly never contemplated that it should supersede personal effort. And any rest which ministers to indifference is immoral and unreal - it makes parasites and not men. Just because God worketh in him, as the evidence and triumph of it, the true child of God works out his own salvation - works it out having really received it - not as a light thing, a superfluous labor, but with fear and trembling as a reasonable and indispensable service” (Drummond, “Natural Law in the Spiritual World,” p. 335). Human agency is included in God's completed work. In the saving work of grace God imparts a new moral power to work. Compare Romans 6:8-13; 2 Corinthians 6:1. Believe as if you had no power. Work as if you had no God. [source]
Fear and trembling []
Compare 2 Corinthians 7:15; Ephesians 6:5. Not slavish terror, but wholesome, serious caution. “This fear is self-distrust; it is tenderness of conscience; it is vigilance against temptation; it is the fear which inspiration opposes to high-mindedness in the admonition 'be not highminded but fear.' It is taking heed lest we fall; it is a constant apprehension of the deceitfulness of the heart, and of the insidiousness and power of inward corruption. It is the caution and circumspection which timidly shrinks from whatever would offend and dishonor God and the Savior. And these the child of God will feel and exercise the more he rises above the enfeebling, disheartening, distressing influence of the fear which hath torment. Well might Solomon say of such fear, 'happy is the man that feareth alway'” (Wardlaw “On Proverbs,” xxviii., 14). Compare 1 Peter 1:17. [source]

What do the individual words in Philippians 2:12 mean?

Therefore beloved of me just as always you have obeyed not as in the presence only but now much more absence with fear and trembling - your own salvation work out
Ὥστε ἀγαπητοί μου καθὼς πάντοτε ὑπηκούσατε μὴ ὡς ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ μόνον ἀλλὰ νῦν πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἀπουσίᾳ μετὰ φόβου καὶ τρόμου τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν κατεργάζεσθε

ἀγαπητοί  beloved 
Parse: Adjective, Vocative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀγαπητός  
Sense: beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love.
μου  of  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
καθὼς  just  as 
Parse: Adverb
Root: καθώς  
Sense: according as.
πάντοτε  always 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πάντοτε  
Sense: at all times, always, ever.
ὑπηκούσατε  you  have  obeyed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ὑπακούω  
Sense: to listen, to harken.
παρουσίᾳ  presence 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: παρουσία  
Sense: presence.
μόνον  only 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μόνον  
Sense: only, alone, but.
νῦν  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: νῦν  
Sense: at this time, the present, now.
πολλῷ  much 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.
μᾶλλον  more 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μᾶλλον  
Sense: more, to a greater degree, rather.
ἀπουσίᾳ  absence 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀπουσία  
Sense: absence.
φόβου  fear 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: φόβος  
Sense: fear, dread, terror.
τρόμου  trembling 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: τρόμος  
Sense: a trembling or quaking with fear.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἑαυτῶν  your  own 
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἑαυτοῦ  
Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves.
σωτηρίαν  salvation 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: σωτηρία  
Sense: deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation.
κατεργάζεσθε  work  out 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: κατεργάζομαι  
Sense: to perform, accomplish, achieve.