Philippians 2:12

So then, my beloved, even 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.

To be sure this verse gives the lie to the heresy of being saved by faith alone; and the somewhat humorous efforts of those holders of the heresy to diminish the impact of this place is discernible in the following comments:

Salvation (in this verse) has emphasis on that aspect of salvation which is called sanctification.[38]

Salvation, not in personal terms ... this can hardly be taken in a personal sense?[39]

Here is no denial of justification by faith, for it is Christians, not unbelievers, who are being addressed. Salvation is something they already possess[40]

The very word salvation signifies that we cannot save ourselves. This does not mean that we can and must effect our salvation.[41]

Far more acceptable are such comments as:

Work out your own salvation. Though salvation is through Christ it must be worked out by obedience (Hebrews 5:8). With fear and trembling. That is, earnest anxiety.[42]

Work out your own salvation. Christ's work of atonement is finished ... Your own; it is each man's own work; no human friend, no pastor, not even an apostle, can work it for him. With fear and trembling. Have an eager, trembling anxiety to obey God in all things.[43]

If there is any outstanding commandment of God through Christ and the apostles which sinners neglect, refuse or reject through disobeying it, may they be persuaded by Paul's word in another place to the effect that those "who obey not the gospel" will be utterly destroyed (2 Thessalonians 1:8). And just what is the gospel? In a general sense it is all that Christ through the apostles commanded; but specifically the reference is to believing, repenting, confessing Christ and being baptized into him. How unspeakably foolish are those who fancy that since they "believe" there is no need for them to obey a command like baptism!

[38] William Hendriksen, op. cit., p. 121.

[39] R. P. Martin, op. cit., p. 111.

[40] John A. Knight, op. cit., p. 323.

[41] Frances Foulkes, op. cit., p. 1133.

[42] James William Russell, op. cit., p. 489.

[43] B. C. Caffin, op. cit., p. 61.