Philippians 2:12 is often misinterpreted. Works do not "maintain" our salvation. Performance has nothing to do with salvation.
The verse "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12) is often misinterpreted as meaning a constant, terror-stricken fear of God, which is not the intended meaning; the "fear" here refers more to a deep reverence and respect for God's power and holiness, not a paralyzing dread, and is meant to motivate believers to live faithfully and diligently in light of their salvation.
God does not hold grudges!
Psalm 103:10 says, "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities".
This verse is about God's mercy and grace, which are fundamental to the relationship between God and his people. It emphasizes that God's love is not based on merit, but on his character, which is love and mercy.
Context does matter. This verse is addressed to believers who are already saved, urging them to live their lives in a way that demonstrates their faith and commitment to God, not as a way to earn salvation through works.
"Fear" in the Bible:
The Hebrew word often translated as "fear" in the Bible can also mean "awe" or "reverence," signifying a deep respect for God's authority and power.
Misinterpretation concerns:
Using this verse to instill excessive fear or guilt in people is considered a misuse of scripture. Satan instills fear; God and the Holy Spirit instills peace and joy and love.
I believe Philippians 2:12 has been misconstrued by many sincere and well-meaning believers, to mean that as believers, we need to work for our salvation, or that our salvation must be maintained by our works.
Let’s look at Philippians 2:12–13 to uncover what it actually says. The author here is the apostle Paul, who writes:
“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."
First, notice Paul does not say “work for your own salvation” but “work out your own salvation.”
Does the difference really matter?
Yes, it does! You can’t work for your salvation because Scripture is clear that God’s salvation comes solely by grace through faith in Jesus’ finished work, not by our works. It is a gift of God that can only be received by faith (Eph. 2:8–9). When we interpret “work out” to mean “work to secure your salvation,” we are implying that it is not enough to just believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved (see John 3:16, John 6:40, Rom. 10:13). This is serious because the gospel cannot be compromised!
In Philippians 2:12, Paul is addressing believers who are already saved. He’s telling us we can work out our salvation because—look at verse 13—God is supplying us the willingness, the power, and even the pleasure in the doing of it. You cannot work out what has not been worked in. You can only work out what has been worked in by God.
Here is something else that will deeply encourage you: the Greek verb “works” is in the present active continuous form. In other words, it’s actually saying “God who is working in you.” When you know the Lord is always working in you, you don’t have to depend on your own self-efforts and strength to work out your salvation in the way you treat your family, in the way you live your testimony at work, and in your relationships with others.
The Savior is constantly working in you. Just tell Him, “I cannot, Lord, but You can. I’m trusting You to work it out in me.”
God is not asking you to dredge up what you don’t have and perform what you can’t do. What He is saying is, “Be aware and be open to what I’m doing. I’m working in you. I will give you the willingness, and I will give you the performance of My will.”
When you rest in His working in you, the willingness you need will come. In fact, you will find Him supplying you with not just the desire but the energy and divine strength you didn’t have before. And when you perform what He first gave you the grace to do, God rewards you for using the grace that He first gave you (Rev. 22:12)! The Lord is so good.
God does not hold grudges!
Psalm 103:10 says, "He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities".
This verse is about God's mercy and grace, which are fundamental to the relationship between God and his people. It emphasizes that God's love is not based on merit, but on his character, which is love and mercy.
Context does matter. This verse is addressed to believers who are already saved, urging them to live their lives in a way that demonstrates their faith and commitment to God, not as a way to earn salvation through works.
"Fear" in the Bible:
The Hebrew word often translated as "fear" in the Bible can also mean "awe" or "reverence," signifying a deep respect for God's authority and power.
Misinterpretation concerns:
Using this verse to instill excessive fear or guilt in people is considered a misuse of scripture. Satan instills fear; God and the Holy Spirit instills peace and joy and love.
I believe Philippians 2:12 has been misconstrued by many sincere and well-meaning believers, to mean that as believers, we need to work for our salvation, or that our salvation must be maintained by our works.
Let’s look at Philippians 2:12–13 to uncover what it actually says. The author here is the apostle Paul, who writes:
“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."
First, notice Paul does not say “work for your own salvation” but “work out your own salvation.”
Does the difference really matter?
Yes, it does! You can’t work for your salvation because Scripture is clear that God’s salvation comes solely by grace through faith in Jesus’ finished work, not by our works. It is a gift of God that can only be received by faith (Eph. 2:8–9). When we interpret “work out” to mean “work to secure your salvation,” we are implying that it is not enough to just believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved (see John 3:16, John 6:40, Rom. 10:13). This is serious because the gospel cannot be compromised!
In Philippians 2:12, Paul is addressing believers who are already saved. He’s telling us we can work out our salvation because—look at verse 13—God is supplying us the willingness, the power, and even the pleasure in the doing of it. You cannot work out what has not been worked in. You can only work out what has been worked in by God.
Here is something else that will deeply encourage you: the Greek verb “works” is in the present active continuous form. In other words, it’s actually saying “God who is working in you.” When you know the Lord is always working in you, you don’t have to depend on your own self-efforts and strength to work out your salvation in the way you treat your family, in the way you live your testimony at work, and in your relationships with others.
The Savior is constantly working in you. Just tell Him, “I cannot, Lord, but You can. I’m trusting You to work it out in me.”
God is not asking you to dredge up what you don’t have and perform what you can’t do. What He is saying is, “Be aware and be open to what I’m doing. I’m working in you. I will give you the willingness, and I will give you the performance of My will.”
When you rest in His working in you, the willingness you need will come. In fact, you will find Him supplying you with not just the desire but the energy and divine strength you didn’t have before. And when you perform what He first gave you the grace to do, God rewards you for using the grace that He first gave you (Rev. 22:12)! The Lord is so good.
