Philippians 2:12-13 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence . St. Paul passes to exhortation grounded on the Lord's perfect example. "Ye obeyed" ( ὑπηκούσατε ) answers to the γενόμενος ὑπήκοος of Philippians 2:8 , and τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν corresponds with the Savior's exaltation described in Philippians 2:9-11 . He encourages them by acknowledging their past obedience; he urges them to work, not for the sake of approving... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

What should be the result of Christ's example? I. OBEDIENCE . 1 . Christ became obedient even unto death. The Philippians have hitherto been obedient; they were obedient when the apostle called them to faith and repentance; let them be obedient now. 2 . That obedience is due to God who sooth the heart. We must not depend too much on human teachers, whether present or absent; we must look to the unseen Savior who is ever present, and work out, each one for himself, our own... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

Christian salvation a working out what God works in. The apostle, after commending the Philippians for their obedience to God in his absence, counsels them to continue in that course, working out their salvation for themselves. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." I. CONSIDER the MATTER TO RE WORKED OUT . "Your own salvation." 1 . Salvation is an essentially individual thing between each man and his God. It is the supreme concernment of every man.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

The awful responsibility of personal inspirations. The purpose of the present passage, as we have seen, is to secure in the Philippian converts that consideration for the welfare of others which is the grand secret of Christian unity. The example of Christ has been brought forward for the same object. Salvation, as wrought out by Jesus, has been the pre-eminent example of public spirit. But now we seem to have come across a break in Paul's idea, as if he would center the converts in self... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

Salvation as a work in the soul. "Wherefore, 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. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." It is worthy of note that this, of all the Epistles of Paul, is the only one that contains no direct rebuke. The apostle hero speaks of them as "having always obeyed," not only in his presence, but in his absence.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

"Our own salvation." The command that we should "work out our own salvation" is not in opposition to the truth that all salvation is the gift and the work of God. It has no reference to this, but is an exhortation to rely upon ourselves and upon God in us rather than upon any human guide or teacher. I. THIS SALVATION IS AN INDIVIDUAL THING . It is "our own." To trust to human guides is to doubt the guidance of God. It was expedient for the disciples that the Lord Jesus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

Working out our own salvation. I. WE MUST WORK OUT OUR OWN SALVATION . 1 . Our salvation is from evils within our reach , if it consisted chiefly of deliverance from future punishment, we could not touch it. But it is, in the main, deliverance from present ills—the sins, temptations, and troubles that beset us. A man's foes are them of his own household, even of his own heart. 2 . Our salvation is not yet accomplished. It may be nearer than when we first... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-18

Exhortations. I. PERSONAL WORK FOR THE PHILIPPIANS . 1 . How he exhorts them he with pleasure. "So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence." The exaltation of Christ, which is the subject of the three foregoing verses, is specially fitted to be an encouragement to the duty of humility. It is not this, however, that he now specifies, in descending from the sublime Example. He rather lays hold on that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:13

For it is God which worketh in you . "Prmsens vobis," says Bengel, "etiam absente me." Worketh ( ἐνεργῶν ); not the same word as "work out" ( κατεργάζεσθε ) in Philippians 2:12 ; acts powerfully, with energy. In you ; not lnerely among you, but in the heart of each individual believer. Both to will and to do ; translate, with R.V., to work ; the same word as before, ἐνεργεῖν . "Nos ergo volumus, sed Deus in nobis operatur et velle: nos ergo operamur, sed Deus in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:13

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you ; read and translate, with R.V., I hope in the Lord Jesus. He had urged them, in Philippians 2:12 , not to depend too much on human teachers; but "much more in nay absence work out your own salvation;" still he will give them what help he can—he will send Timotheus. In the Lord Jesus (comp. Philippians 1:8 , Philippians 1:14 ; Philippians 3:1-21 :24). Bishop Lightfoot has a beautiful note here: "The Christian is a... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:12-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 2:13

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