Philippians 2:12

Obedience: The Very Best Way to

Show That You Believe

Philippians 2:12: “Therefore, my beloved, as you

have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but

much more in my absence, work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling”

I. “Therefore…” (vs. 12a)

“What is the ‘Therefore’ there for?”

2:3-4:“in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

2:8:“he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death”

II. “…my beloved…” (vs. 12b)

“ἀγαπητός” (agapētos) =

beloved, esteemed, dear, favorite, worthy of love

1:3: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you”

1:7: “I hold you in my heart”

1:8: “I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

1:12: “brothers”

- Proverbs 21:23: “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”

- Ecclesiastes 5:2: “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word”

- Psalm 141:3: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”

- Ephesians 4:29: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

- Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt”

James 1:19:“slow to speak”

III. “…as you have always obeyed, so now… ” (vs. 12c)

IV. “…not only as in my presence but much more in my absence…” (vs. 12d)

1:27: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…whether I come and see you or am absent”

V. “…work out your own salvation…” (vs. 12e) Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

“work out” = “κατεργάζομαι”

(katergazomai) =

a command that has a continuing emphasis.

Dr. John MacArthur: “Salvation has three time-dimensions: past, present and future. The past dimension is that of justification, when believers placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and were redeemed. The present dimension is sanctification, the time between a believer’s justification and his death…The future aspect is glorification, when salvation is completed and believers receive their glorified bodies. Believers therefore have been saved, are being saved, and will be saved. They are to pursue sanctification in this life to the time of glorification.

- Acts 13:43: “to continue in the grace of God”

- Romans 2:7: “to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory and honor and immortality”

- 1 Timothy 4:6: “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”

1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

2:13: “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

Spurgeon: “I have heard it said that the good sculptor, whenever he sees a suitable block of marble, firmly believes that there is a statue concealed within it, and that his business is but to take away the superfluous material, and so unveil the “thing of beauty” which shall be “a joy forever.” Believer, you are that block of marble! You have been quarried by divine grace, and set apart for the Master’s service, but we cannot see the image of Christ in you yet as we would wish; true, there are some traces of it, some dim outlines of what it is to be…

… it is for you, with the chisel and the mallet, with constant endeavor and holy dependence upon God, to work out that image of Christ in your-self, till you shall be discovered to be by all men like your Lord and Master! God has sketched the image of His Son in you; in the slightly carved marble He has fairly outlined it, and you have but to go on chipping away those sins, infirmities, and corruptions till the fair likeness of the incarnate God shall be seen by all.”

VI. “…with fear and trembling” (vs. 12f)

2:10-11: “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

1 Corinthians 11:23-29: “The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.”