[Philippians 2:12-15 KJV] 12 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. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Many think this verse is saying a believer has to work out salvation in order not to lose it. That is not what Paul is saying here. First of all it should be noted that Paul says to "work out" salvation NOT "work for" it. Paul was saying the working out of their salvation involved being obedient to do the will of God.
We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This is not to say we are to be fearful of losing our salvation. Paul speaks of obedience being accompanied with fear and trembling.......... [Ephesians 6:5 KJV] 5 Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Paul was not afraid of losing his salvation, but was obedient to please God by doing his will, to be approved and useful to God...........[1Corinthians 9:27 KJV] 27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
There are verses to consider in regard to working out of our salvation and doing the will of God. To do the will of God we must obey these verses.......... [Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV] 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
[Romans 13:13-14 KJV] 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].
[Galatians 6:7-8 KJV] 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Many think this verse is saying a believer has to work out salvation in order not to lose it. That is not what Paul is saying here. First of all it should be noted that Paul says to "work out" salvation NOT "work for" it. Paul was saying the working out of their salvation involved being obedient to do the will of God.
We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This is not to say we are to be fearful of losing our salvation. Paul speaks of obedience being accompanied with fear and trembling.......... [Ephesians 6:5 KJV] 5 Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Paul was not afraid of losing his salvation, but was obedient to please God by doing his will, to be approved and useful to God...........[1Corinthians 9:27 KJV] 27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
There are verses to consider in regard to working out of our salvation and doing the will of God. To do the will of God we must obey these verses.......... [Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV] 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
[Romans 13:13-14 KJV] 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].
[Galatians 6:7-8 KJV] 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
