What does it mean to work out salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)?

Question: "What does it mean to work out salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)?"

Answer: 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.”

This text is often misused to instill fear into people, warning them that it means that they can lose salvation. What does it mean to work out our salvation with fear and trembling? It does not seem likely that Paul could have meant literally that they were to live in a continuous condition of nervousness and anxiety. After all, the very same Spirit inspired Paul to write that “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). The Greek word translated ‘fear’ in this context can equally mean ‘reverence’ or ‘respect.’ When Paul writes to the Corinthians and reports that Titus had been encouraged and refreshed by their reception of him, he goes on to say that the Corinthian Christians received him with ‘fear and trembling’ (2 Corinthians 7:15). It makes little sense that a Christian minister would be encouraged and refreshed by a display of nervous anxiety! Rather Titus was delighted by their obedience to the God they revered.

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 do this by actively pursuing obedience in the process of sanctification, which Paul explains further in the next chapter of Philippians. He describes himself as “straining” and “pressing on” toward the goal of Christlikeness (Philippians 3:13-14). The “trembling” he experiences is the attitude Christians are to have in pursuing this goal—a healthy fear of offending God through disobedience and an awe and respect for His majesty and holiness. ‘Trembling’ can also refer to a shaking due to weakness, but this is a weakness of higher purpose, one which brings us to a state of dependency on God. Obedience and submission to the God we revere and respect is our “reasonable service” (Romans 12:1-2) and brings great joy. Psalm 2:11 sums it up perfectly: “Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.” We work out our salvation by going to the very source of our salvation—the Word of God—wherein we renew our hearts and minds (Romans 12:1-2), coming into His presence with a spirit of reverence and awe.

Recommended Resource: Eternal Security by Charles Stanley.