Philippians 2:12-13 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

I. He exhorts them to diligence and seriousness in the Christian course: Work out your own salvation. It is the salvation of our souls (1 Pet. 1:9), and our eternal salvation (Heb. 5:9), and contains deliverance from all the evils sin had brought upon us and exposed us to, and the possession of all good and whatsoever is necessary to our complete and final happiness. Observe, It concerns us above all things to secure the welfare of our souls: whatever becomes of other things, let us take care... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 2:12-18

2:12-18 So then, my beloved, just as at all times you obeyed not only as in my presence, but much more, as things now are, in my absence, carry to its perfect conclusion the work of your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God, who, that he may carry out his own good pleasure, brings to effect in you both the initial willing and the effective action. Do all things without murmurings and questionings, that you may show yourselves blameless and pure, the spotless children of God in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 2:12-18

When we examine the chain of thought in this passage, we see that Paul sets down five signs of salvation, as we may call them. (i) There is the sign of effective action. The Christian must give continual evidence in his daily life that he is indeed working out his own salvation; day by day it must be more fully accomplished. The great tragedy of so many of us is that we are never really any further on. We continue to be victims of the same habits and slaves of the same temptations, and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 2:12-18

This passage concludes with two vivid pictures, which are typical of Paul's way of thinking. (i) He longs for the Christian progress of the Philippians so that at the end of the day he may have the joy of knowing that he has not run or laboured in vain. The word he uses for to labour is kopian ( Greek #2872 ). There are two possible pictures in it. (a) It may paint a picture of the most exacting toil. Kopian ( Greek #2872 ) means to labour to the point of utter exhaustion. (b) It may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 2:12

Wherefore, my beloved ,.... This is an inference from the instance and example of Christ; that since he, who was God over all, blessed for ever, made himself so low in human nature, in which he is now so highly exalted, having done the work and business he came about with such condescension, humility, and meekness; therefore it becomes those who profess to be his followers, to do all their affairs as men and Christians, with, and among one another, in all lowliness of mind. The apostle calls... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 2:13

For it is God which worketh in you ,.... Which is both an encouragement to persons conscious of their own weakness to work, as before exhorted to; see Haggai 2:4 ; and a reason and argument for humility and meekness, and against pride and vain glory, since all we have, and do, is from God; and also points out the spring, principle, and foundation of all good works; namely, the grace of God wrought in the heart, which is an internal work, and purely the work of God: by this men become the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:12

As ye have always obeyed - Continue to act on the same principles and from the same motives; having the same disposition which was in Christ; laboring so as to promote his glory. Work out your own salvation - Go on, walking by the same rule, and minding the same thing, till your salvation be completed: till, filled with love to God and man, ye walk unblamably in all his testimonies, having your fruit unto holiness, and your end everlasting life. With fear and trembling - Considering... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:13

For it is God which worketh in you - Every holy purpose, pious resolution, good word, and good work, must come from him; ye must be workers together with him, that ye receive not his grace in vain; because he worketh in you, therefore work with him, and work out your own salvation. To will and to do - Το θελειν και το ενεργειν . The power to will and the power to act must necessarily come from God, who is the author both of the soul and body, and of all their powers and energies, but... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:12

Verse 12 12Therefore, etc. He concludes the whole of the preceding exhortation with a general statement — that they should humble themselves under the Lord’s hand, for that will very readily secure, that, laying aside all arrogance, they will be gentle and indulgent to each other. This is the only befitting way in which the mind of man may learn gentleness, when one who, while viewing himself apart, pleased himself in his hiding-places, comes to examine himself as compared with God. As ye have... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:13

Verse 13 13It is God that worketh. This is the true engine for bringing down all haughtiness — this the sword for putting an end to all pride, when we are taught that we are utterly nothing, and can do nothing, except through the grace of God alone. I mean supernatural grace, which comes forth from the spirit of regeneration. For, considered as men, we already are, and live and move in God. (Acts 17:28.) But Paul reasons here as to a kind of movement different from that universal one. Let us... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Philippians 2:12-13

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 2:12-18

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 2:12-18

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Philippians 2:12-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 2:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Philippians 2:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 2:13

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