“Working Out Your Salvation” (Part one) Philippians 2:12-13

TRANSCRIPT

Date: June 1, 2025 Author: Wayne J. Edwards

In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul writes, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his purpose.” The sense in which we are to work out our salvation in fear and trembling is twofold. First, the Greek verb rendered “work out” means “to continually work to bring something to completion or fruition.” We achieve this by earnestly pursuing our full sanctification, which Paul explained in the third chapter of Philippians. He describes himself as “straining” and “pressing on” toward the goal of Christlikeness (Philippians 3:13-14). Second, the “fear and trembling” is not a warning that a Christian could lose their salvation , but rather to have a healthy respect for a holy God while we “live out” that which He “worked in” us through Jesus Christ. We work out our salvation by our consistent and persistent study of the Word of God, wherein our hearts and minds are renewed, (Romans 12:1-2) and then by our obedience to the commands of God that are revealed in our study. We will explain this further in our next two sermons: “Working Out Your Salvation.” Thank you for your continued support and for sharing these sermon study guides with those you think might be interested. We are truly encouraged by the response we’ve received from viewers worldwide.

In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul writes, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his purpose.”

The sense in which we are to work out our salvation in fear and trembling is twofold.

We work out our salvation by our consistent and persistent study of the Word of God, wherein our hearts and minds are renewed, (Romans 12:1-2) and then by our obedience to the commands of God that are revealed in our study.

We will explain this further in our next two sermons: “Working Out Your Salvation.”

Thank you for your continued support and for sharing these sermon study guides with those you think might be interested. We are truly encouraged by the response we’ve received from viewers worldwide.

Download the following translated Sermon guides:

Old Testament Reading – Psalm 115:1-18 New Testament Reading – Luke 9:23-27

Paul and Silas established the Church at Philippi during their second missionary journey, which took place between AD 48-52.

When the Church at Philippi heard that Paul was in jail, they took up a love offering and sent it to him by Epaphroditus, and instructed him to remain with Paul as long as he was needed.

When it comes to the process of a Christian’s sanctification, what is God’s role, and what is the Christian’s role?

Two views of sanctification from the 17 th to the 19 th centuries:

“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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Phil. 2:12-13

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