Philippians
2 (12-18)
12
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in
my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out
your salvation with fear and trembling,
Therefore – as you
have always obeyed – We shouldn't miss the connection between the
obedience Jesus showed and the obedience Paul expected of Christians
as followers of Jesus.
Work out your own
salvation – We know Paul did not mean 'work so as to earn your own
salvation', That would contradict everything else Paul was saying.
What he did mean was he was calling for the Philippian Christians to
put real effort into their Christian lives. This is not to work their
salvation in the sense of accomplishing it, but to work out their
salvation – to see it evident in every area of their lives.
“These words, as
they stand in the New Testament, contain no exhortation to all men,
but are directed to the people of God. They are not intended as an
exhortation to the unconverted; they are, as we find them in the
epistle, beyond all question addressed to those who are already saved
through a living faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Spurgeon)
Work
out your salvation – There is a sense in which our salvation is
complete, in the sense that Jesus has done a complete work for
us.
However, there is also a sense that it isn't complete, in that it
isn't yet completed in us.
“Some professors
appear to have the imbibed the notion that the grace of God is a kind
of opium with which men may drug themselves into slumber, and their
passion for strong doses of sleepy doctrine grows with that which it
feeds on. 'God works in us,' they say. 'therefore there is nothing
for us to do.' Bad reasoning, false conclusion. God works, says the
text, therefore we must work out because God works in.” (Spurgeon)
Paul makes no
attempt to reconcile divine sovereignty and human free will, but he
boldly proclaims both.
Your salvation –
This tells us we need to give attention to our own salvation. Often
we show great concern for the work of God in others, but not enough
for His work in us. We should care about others souls, but this care
must begin with our own.
With fear and
trembling – Paul's idea is not that we should live our Christian
lives with a constant sense of fear and terror.
We work out our
salvation with fear and trembling. This doesn't have the be the fear
of hell or damnation. Instead, it may be be righteous and awe-filled
reverence of God every believer should have. It's not the trembling
of a guilty sinner, instead it should be the joyful trembling of an
encounter with the glory of God.
But
now much more in my absence – In context, Paul asked for this
Christian work ethic. (It is not a works
ethic) to be promoted because he was absent.[1]
As you have always
obeyed – Paul saw that the Philippians had been obedient to God.
Work out – The
Spirit works in all believers but Sanctification is progressive. Our
minds are renewed as we grow in spiritual maturity, in Christ.
Your – The
emphasis is on this. Paul wasn't there to engage in discipleship
personally, so he wanted them to be more accountable to themselves in
their walk with God.
With fear and
trembling – Not slavish fear, but trembling anxiety not to fall
short of the goal. (See Hebrews 4:1.[2])[3]
13
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill
his good purpose.
For it is God who
works in you – God works in us. That is why we must work out our
salvation with fear and trembling.
Take
comfort in it. God
who works in you.
“Grace all-sufficient dwells in you, believer. There is a living
well within you springing up; use the bucket, then; keep on drawing;
you will never exhaust it; there is a living source within.”
(Spurgeon)[4]
God who works in you
– Since God has done and is doing a work in the Christian,
therefore the Christian has a greater responsibility to be diligent
in working out his/her salvation with fear and trembling.
Those who use God's
sovereignty and working as an excuse for inaction and lethagy are
like the wicked and lazy servant of Matthew 25:24 – 30.
Those that are
really God's servants use their understanding of His sovereignty and
omnipotence as a motivation for greater, more dedicated service to
Him.
To
will and to act
– God's work in us extends to the transformation of our will, as
well as changing our actions (to act). However, in light of the
exhortation to
work out your salvation,
this isn't a passive transaction.[5]
1. Paul insists
that they should “obey”, or “work out your salvation”, not
only in Paul’s presence but much more in his absence. Why did Paul
have to insist on their obedience in his absence? Why might a group
of people be more prone to disobedience when their leadership is
away?
2. Paul says that
God is at work in the Philippians. How would an understanding of this
reality motivate or empower the Philippians to obey even in the
absence of their leadership? [6]
Paul
is exhorting them to be diligent in their Christian walk. Gr.
Katergazesthe. This
signifies working thoroughly at a thing and taking true pains. We
need to be diligent in the use of all means to “work out our
salvation”. We must persevere to the end. We should not neglect or
delay our walk, lest we grieve the Spirit. It is by His his grace
that He is working in us. He gives us the motivation to walk in Him.
Without His grace, there is no hope.[7]
For – It isn't
that God does some of the work, and us the rest. Man is both entirely
active and entirely passive. God is the author and we're the
actors.[8]
14
Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
grumbling – secret
murmurings and complaints against your fellow men arising from
selfishness (e.g. Jude 16[9]), but referring to profitless
'disputings' with our fellow men, with whom we are to be blameless
and harmless. These disputings flowed from 'vain glory' which was
promulgated from various Aristotelian philosophers in Macedon, the
region Philippi was located.[10]
15
so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without
fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c][11]
Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
blameless and pure –
not having the inclination to engage in mischief.[12]
16
as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to
boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Do everything
without grumbling or arguing – There is a lot of arguing amongst
commentators whether this grumbling or arguing referred to problems
amongst the Philippian Christians (such as those mentioned in Phil
2:1-4) or if it referred to their attitudes towards God.[13]
Examples of things
we should not murmur against:
The Providence of
God;
One another;
The ungodly world.
The
emphasis is on everything,
which is the first word of the verse in the original Greek text.
“Dispute not with
God; let him do what seemth him good. Dispute not with your fellow
Christians, raise not railing accusations against them. When Calvin
was told that Luther had spoken ill of him, he said, 'let Luther call
me devil if he please, I will never say of him but that he is a most
dear and valiant servant of the lord,' Raise not intricate and knotty
points by way of controversy.” (Spurgeon)[14]
So that you may
become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault.” - If
we display a non-complaining spirit, we are shown to be true
followers of God.
Blameless
– pure or unalloyed. Also translated as harmless.
“'Be
ye blameless and harmless,'
says the apostle. The Greek word might be translated 'hornless,' as
if ye were to be creatures not only that do no harm, but could
not do any;
like sheep that not only will
not devour,
but cannot
devour, for it were contrary to their nature; for they have no teeth
with which to bite, no fangs with which to sting, no poison with
which to slay.” (Spurgeon)
“In a warped and
crooked generation” - This seems to be a reference to Deuteronomy
32:5[15], the meaning being that modern Christians should not be as
the Israelites were, constantly complaining and disputing with God
during their wilderness wanderings.
Then
you will shine among them like stars in the sky – This is a simple
statement of fact, not an encouragement. Christians are
lights
in the world. The question is: How brightly do they shine?
We are to fulfil
out place as lights in the world.
Lights are used to:
Make things
evident.
Guide.
As a warning.
Bring cheer.
Make things safe.
Paul knew they were
in a bad place. Instead of that being an excuse, for not shining.
Paul is pointing out that their position made it all the more
important that they shine. Being in a dark place is a greater
incentive to shine.
And then I will be
able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in
vain – It was a troublesome thought to Paul that his work might
somehow end up in vain. He knew that his work really abided in
people, so if those people didn't continue on being strong in the
Lord, there was a sense that his ministry was in vain.
On the day of Christ
– Paul was looking forward to the day of Christ. He wanted to see
on that day that his work brought forth fruit. This was something he
could only have assurance of if the Philippian Christians continued
in their walk with the Lord.
In this, Paul had
the true heart of a shepherd, having few burdens for oneself, but
many for others. Not being content with his own relationship with
God, but also longing to see others walking with Him.[16]
17
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the
sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice
with all of you.
I am glad – For
himself (see Phil 1:21 -23[17]) His expectation of release from
prison in Rome is much fainter than in other epistles (to Ephesus,
Colossi and Philemon).[18]
18
So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Poured out like a
drink offering - This is an allusion to a sacrificial practice
amongst both Jews and pagans. Wine (or sometimes perfume) was poured
out either beside (the Jewish practice) or upon (as by the pagans) an
animal that was sacrificed to God or pagan gods.
This is the drink
offering, which accompanied another sacrifice, mentioned in Numbers
15:4, 5[19] and 28:7[20]
I am being poured
out – This is in the present tense. Paul is indicating the
possibility that his execution may be immanent.
On
the sacrifice and service coming from your faith – Service Gr.
Leutrogia.
“Service to God or His cause... any priestly action or sacred
performance.” (Muller) Therefore we have a sacrifice, a priest, and
an accompanying libation which makes the sacrifice even more
precious.
The sacrifice and
service is connected with the faith of the Philippian Christians.
Paul saw them as the priests and their faith as the sacrifice, with
his martyrdom as a drink offering.
I am glad and
rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with
me - Paul was looking forward to what might have been his imminent
marytrdom and expected the Philippian Christians to be glad and
rejoice with him. He wasn't being morbid, asking them to take joy in
something as depressing as his death. Yet he as asking them to see
his death as something that would bring glory to God. See also
Philippians 1:20.[21]
Paul's life was
going to be a sacrifice for Jesus Christ, either in life or in death.
This was a source of gladness and joy for Paul and he wanted the
Philippians to adopt the same attitude.
Joy – the
consistent theme throughout this letter. But this is joy based not on
circumstances, but in the fact of a life totally committed to Jesus
Christ.[22]
3. What is it about
grumbling and questioning, that makes it impossible for a person to
be “blameless and innocent”, even when they are doing “all
things” they have been asked to do? Why is it so important to Paul
that our attitudes match our actions?
4. What is “the
word of life”? How would holding fast to the word of life enable
the Philippians to remain joyful as they obeyed God? [23]
[2]
herefore,
since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be
careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
[9]
16
These
people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own
evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter
others for their own advantage.
[11]
NIV
subnote: Deut
32:5
[13]
Therefore
if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any
comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,if any
tenderness and compassion,
2
then
make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the
same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
3
Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in
humility value others above yourselves,
4
not
looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the
others.
[15]
They are corrupt and not his children;
to their shame they are a warped and crooked generation.
[17]
21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.22 If I am to
go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet
what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the
two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
[19]
4
then
the person who brings an offering shall present to the Lord
a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah[a]
of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin[b]
of olive oil.5
With
each lamb for the burnt offering or the sacrifice, prepare a
quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering.
[20]
7
The
accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a hin of
fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to
the Lordat
the sanctuary.
[21]
I
eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but
will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will
be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
