This commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12Wherefore, 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.
The words are “work out”not “work for”. Implying you have salvation already, this is not something to receive later. You can only work out something that you already have (when you work out with muscles, you already have the muscles, you are just using them). We are in no way saved by our works Ephesians 2:8-9 makes this clear. Once you are saved you are to obey and follow the Lord, growing in Him. The Philippians were a good example of ones that “have always obeyed”, a stark contrast to the Corinthian church.
The entire book of Philippians is teaching us to be selfless. If work out your own salvation had anything to do with us trying to maintain being saved or working to be saved it would deny the entire premise and context of the book. For example just a few verse down we read Paul saying most people are self focused and not seeking Jesus: Philippians 2:21 “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.” There is no fear in love (1 John 4), we aren’t striving for our salvation hoping we make it.
You can actually disobey this and not work out your salvation. This does not mean you are not saved it simply means you are disobedient and not doing what you should be doing as a child of God. We can be disobedient children but yet we are still His children. If this disobedience continues He will lovingly correct us as Hebrews 12:6 says. See also 2 Timothy 2:13.
At first glance this language sounds scary, we God’s child are we supposed to be scared of Him now? We see similar language “with fear and trembling”used to describe when Titus was received by the Corinthians and when Paul came to minister unto them. This seems to be a reverence, awe and respect, taking something very seriously. Likewise we are to have this attitude towards God, who at such a great price graciously bestowed the free gift of salvation unto us.
Paul came in this manor, he had nothing to offer but God, he came in humility 1 Corinthians 2:3 “And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.”
Titus received this 2 Corinthians 7:15 “And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.”
This is not a fear of losing salvation but a fear of not pleasing God. We are not to take the Christian walk lightly once saved.
In summary, Paul is telling the Philippians to use their salvation practically and outwardly which will involve suffering but will ultimately result in the furtherance of the gospel.
13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
What a joy to know God works in us to do His will. Another great verse to show it is not by our works that we self will but God working in us while we submit to Him.
14Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Paul speaks of this laboring and running which some take as something he must do in order to be saved or maintain salvation in 1 Corinthians 9 but we see here..
17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
19But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
22But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
23Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
24But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
25Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
26For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
27For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
30Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Their “lack” reflects practical inability, not unwillingness
At first glance, Paul’s reference to their “lack of service” might seem like a rebuke. However, chapter 4 clarifies that this is not a criticism of negligence or unwillingness; rather, it reflects their inability to personally deliver the support, which was instead carried out by Epaphroditus.
Philippians 4:18 “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.”
2
Philippians 2 — Forever Word commentary
King James VersionThis commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
2Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12Wherefore, 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.
The words are “work out” not “work for”. Implying you have salvation already, this is not something to receive later. You can only work out something that you already have (when you work out with muscles, you already have the muscles, you are just using them). We are in no way saved by our works Ephesians 2:8-9 makes this clear. Once you are saved you are to obey and follow the Lord, growing in Him. The Philippians were a good example of ones that “have always obeyed”, a stark contrast to the Corinthian church.
The entire book of Philippians is teaching us to be selfless. If work out your own salvation had anything to do with us trying to maintain being saved or working to be saved it would deny the entire premise and context of the book. For example just a few verse down we read Paul saying most people are self focused and not seeking Jesus: Philippians 2:21 “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.” There is no fear in love (1 John 4), we aren’t striving for our salvation hoping we make it.
You can actually disobey this and not work out your salvation. This does not mean you are not saved it simply means you are disobedient and not doing what you should be doing as a child of God. We can be disobedient children but yet we are still His children. If this disobedience continues He will lovingly correct us as Hebrews 12:6 says. See also 2 Timothy 2:13.
At first glance this language sounds scary, we God’s child are we supposed to be scared of Him now? We see similar language “with fear and trembling” used to describe when Titus was received by the Corinthians and when Paul came to minister unto them. This seems to be a reverence, awe and respect, taking something very seriously. Likewise we are to have this attitude towards God, who at such a great price graciously bestowed the free gift of salvation unto us.
Paul came in this manor, he had nothing to offer but God, he came in humility 1 Corinthians 2:3 “And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.”
Titus received this 2 Corinthians 7:15 “And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.”
This is not a fear of losing salvation but a fear of not pleasing God. We are not to take the Christian walk lightly once saved.
In summary, Paul is telling the Philippians to use their salvation practically and outwardly which will involve suffering but will ultimately result in the furtherance of the gospel.
13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
What a joy to know God works in us to do His will. Another great verse to show it is not by our works that we self will but God working in us while we submit to Him.
14Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Paul speaks of this laboring and running which some take as something he must do in order to be saved or maintain salvation in 1 Corinthians 9 but we see here..
17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
18For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
19But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
20For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
21For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
22But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.
23Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.
24But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.
25Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
26For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
27For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
30Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Their “lack” reflects practical inability, not unwillingness
At first glance, Paul’s reference to their “lack of service” might seem like a rebuke. However, chapter 4 clarifies that this is not a criticism of negligence or unwillingness; rather, it reflects their inability to personally deliver the support, which was instead carried out by Epaphroditus.
Philippians 4:18 “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.”