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Here is what my bible notes tell me.
Philippians 2:12-13
Light Bearers
Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
2:12 Therefore: Paul desires the Philippians to respond positively to his admonition to have the mind of Christ (vv. 5–8). The command is to the entire group since the word you is plural. The subject is their mutual, corporate salvation (see 1:19, 28; Luke 22:24–30). work out: The Greek term speaks of the present deliverance of the Philippians. The word translated work out is used by the first-century author Strabo to speak of digging silver out of silver mines. Thus salvation can be compared to a huge gift that needs to be unwrapped for one’s thorough enjoyment. Note that Paul is encouraging the Philippians to develop and work out their salvation, but not to work for their salvation. (NKJV)
2:12 Therefore. Because of Christ’s incomparable example (vv. 5–11). obeyed. The commands of God as passed on to the Philippians by Paul (see Ro 1:5; 15:18; 2Co 10:5–6). my presence. During the course of Paul’s second (see Ac 16:12–40) and third (see Ac 20:1–3, 6) missionary journeys. work out your salvation. Work it out to the finish; not a reference to the attempt to earn one’s salvation by works, but a reference to the expression of one’s salvation in spiritual growth and development. Salvation is not merely a gift received once for all; it expresses itself in an ongoing process in which the believer is strenuously involved (cf. Mt 24:13; 1Co 9:24–27; Heb 3:14; 6:9–11; 2Pe 1:5–8)—the process of perseverance, humble service, spiritual growth and maturation. fear and trembling. Not because of doubt or anxiety; rather, the reference is to an active reverence and a singleness of purpose in response to God’s grace. (NIV)
The same man who wrote the above verses also wrote
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Phillipians is often misused to instill fear into people, warning them that it means that they can lose salvation.
Is Paul encouraging believers to live in a continuous condition of nervousness and anxiety? If so thatwould contradict his many other writings concerning peace of mind, courage, and confidence in the God who authors our salvation.
The Greek word translated "fear" in this context also mean s"reverence" or "respect."
Paul uses the same phrase in
2 Corinthians 7:15
And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.
Here he talking about Titus and how he was encouraged by the Corinthians acceptance of him with "reference or respect"
To work out our salvation in fear and trembling is twofold.
The Greek verb rendered “work out” means "to continually work to bring something to completion or fruition."
This we do by pursuing obedience in the process of sanctification to become Christlike, pressing on towards that goal.
The trembling Paul talks about is the attitude Christians are to have in pursuing this goal—a healthy fear of offending God through disobedience and an awe and respect for God.
Trembling also serves another purpose which is to bring us to a dependency on God.
Obedience and and submission to God, who we revere and respect is our reasonable service.
Romans 12:1-2
Chapter 12
Living Sacrifices to God
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We work out our salvation by going to the very source of our salvation, which is God and the Word of God which tells shows how to and our hearts and minds coming into His presence with a spirit of reverence and awe.
Philippians 2:12-13
Light Bearers
Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
2:12 Therefore: Paul desires the Philippians to respond positively to his admonition to have the mind of Christ (vv. 5–8). The command is to the entire group since the word you is plural. The subject is their mutual, corporate salvation (see 1:19, 28; Luke 22:24–30). work out: The Greek term speaks of the present deliverance of the Philippians. The word translated work out is used by the first-century author Strabo to speak of digging silver out of silver mines. Thus salvation can be compared to a huge gift that needs to be unwrapped for one’s thorough enjoyment. Note that Paul is encouraging the Philippians to develop and work out their salvation, but not to work for their salvation. (NKJV)
2:12 Therefore. Because of Christ’s incomparable example (vv. 5–11). obeyed. The commands of God as passed on to the Philippians by Paul (see Ro 1:5; 15:18; 2Co 10:5–6). my presence. During the course of Paul’s second (see Ac 16:12–40) and third (see Ac 20:1–3, 6) missionary journeys. work out your salvation. Work it out to the finish; not a reference to the attempt to earn one’s salvation by works, but a reference to the expression of one’s salvation in spiritual growth and development. Salvation is not merely a gift received once for all; it expresses itself in an ongoing process in which the believer is strenuously involved (cf. Mt 24:13; 1Co 9:24–27; Heb 3:14; 6:9–11; 2Pe 1:5–8)—the process of perseverance, humble service, spiritual growth and maturation. fear and trembling. Not because of doubt or anxiety; rather, the reference is to an active reverence and a singleness of purpose in response to God’s grace. (NIV)
The same man who wrote the above verses also wrote
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Phillipians is often misused to instill fear into people, warning them that it means that they can lose salvation.
Is Paul encouraging believers to live in a continuous condition of nervousness and anxiety? If so thatwould contradict his many other writings concerning peace of mind, courage, and confidence in the God who authors our salvation.
The Greek word translated "fear" in this context also mean s"reverence" or "respect."
Paul uses the same phrase in
2 Corinthians 7:15
And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.
Here he talking about Titus and how he was encouraged by the Corinthians acceptance of him with "reference or respect"
To work out our salvation in fear and trembling is twofold.
The Greek verb rendered “work out” means "to continually work to bring something to completion or fruition."
This we do by pursuing obedience in the process of sanctification to become Christlike, pressing on towards that goal.
The trembling Paul talks about is the attitude Christians are to have in pursuing this goal—a healthy fear of offending God through disobedience and an awe and respect for God.
Trembling also serves another purpose which is to bring us to a dependency on God.
Obedience and and submission to God, who we revere and respect is our reasonable service.
Romans 12:1-2
Chapter 12
Living Sacrifices to God
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We work out our salvation by going to the very source of our salvation, which is God and the Word of God which tells shows how to and our hearts and minds coming into His presence with a spirit of reverence and awe.
"
Obedience and and submission to God, who we revere and respect is our reasonable service."
