Epistle to the Philippians

1. Phil 2:12 – NKJV “Therefore, my beloved, as you 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;” Therefore my beloved (agapētos) – what’s it there for? What foundation has been laid? Phil 2:5-11 as you have always obeyed – aorist active indicative obedience to whom or what? Could this relate to Phil 2:8 and if so how? Phil 2:8 – ‘And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross.’ not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence Let’s look back at Phil 1:27 What’s the motive when in Paul’s presence only? Epistle to the Philippians Phil 2:12-13, Work Out Your Own Salvation 1 April 29, 2012 Bob Eckel

2. Where’s the Christ life sourced? How it is perceived? What does Paul mean my much more? much more willingly, more readily, sooner work out your own salvation This in no way means to work for your salvation Paul is addressing the beloved – believers Salvation is entirely by Grace – Eph 2:8 work out – present middle (active) imperative to carry out or result such as your balancing your bank account All the facts and figures are there, now the bottom line. We’ve been placed in Christ; now let’s continue down the path of being transformed (II Cor 3:18) and conformed (Rom 8:29) to His precious image. Keep looking down! II Pet 1:3,4 – ‘as His divine power has given to us all things that [pertain] to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, Epistle to the Philippians Phil 2:12-13, Work Out Your Own Salvation 2 April 29, 2012 Bob Eckel

3. having escaped the corruption [that is] in the world through lust.’ with fear and trembling fear (phobos) – dread, terror trembling (tromos) – quaking with fear Overall, this fear and trembling is best portrayed as self distrust. ‘It is taking heed lest we fall; it is a constant apprehension of the deceitfulness of the heart, and of the insidiousness and power of inward corruption.’ – Wuest Phil 2:13 – NKJV “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for [His] good pleasure. for it is God who works in you is – present indicative works (energeo)– present active participle to be operative, be at work, put forth power, work effectively to will and to do– present active infinitive Epistle to the Philippians Phil 2:12-13, Work Out Your Own Salvation 3 April 29, 2012 Bob Eckel

4. And He has positioned us with everything we need. Rom 6:3,4 – ‘Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.’ Eph 2:4,5 – ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),’ II Thess 2:13,14 – ‘But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ I Pet 1:3 – ‘Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,’ for [His] good pleasure Epistle to the Philippians Phil 2:12-13, Work Out Your Own Salvation 4 April 29, 2012 Bob Eckel

5. To His delight, pleasure, satisfaction And what pleases God? Having adopted us as sons – Eph 1:5 Having made known to us the mystery of His will – Eph 1:9 Being predestined us according to the purpose of His will – Eph 1:11 Having saved us and called [us] with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, - II Tim 1:9 Herein we have a perfect balance. In Phil 2:12 we have human responsibility Are we living by faith? In Phil 2:13 we have divine enablement Do we fully believe this? ‘The Lord Jesus carried out the work of the Cross as to our eternal position. The Holy Spirit carries out the work of the Cross as to our present position. ‘He will take the things that are Mine and will transmit them to you (John16:15 Amp)’ Miles Sanford, NBHH 4-27 Epistle to the Philippians Phil 2:12-13, Work Out Your Own Salvation 5 April 29, 2012 Bob Eckel