Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philippians 2:12

"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;" — Philippians 2:12 (ASV)

Paul now exhorts the Philippians to pursue their Christian progress without undue dependence on his presence. Perhaps he had noted a weakness along this line. Once before he had mentioned their need to be as diligent in his absence as they were when he was present with them (1:27). While the obedience he expects from them may be obedience to his commands, Paul ultimately wants them to obey the commands of God that he had taught them. They had always obeyed the commands of God implicit in the Gospel, beginning from the time when he first evangelized them, and it had been witnessed by him on all of his subsequent visits. But they must be just as careful to obey while he was away, especially if his circumstances should prevent a return.

Paul’s specific exhortation is to “work out your salvation.” The biblical concept of salvation needs to be understood in order to comprehend Paul’s intent here. Salvation has many aspects, including a present one . Regeneration initiates believers into a life with obligations, one of which is to obey Jesus our Lord. Hence, working out salvation does not mean “working for” salvation, but making salvation operational. Justification must be followed by sanctification, by which the new life in Christ is consciously appropriated and demonstrated. Moreover, the Christians in Philippi must not depend on Paul but must work out their own spiritual progress, because the same Lord who worked through Paul also worked in them (v.13).

In Bible times, the central square of Philippi was the hub of commercial activity in Macedonia.

“With fear and trembling” does not contradict the joyful spirit permeating this letter. Christian joy is the experience of every believer in God’s will, but holy fear of God that trembles at the thought of sin is also the attitude of the careful Christian (James 4:8–10).