What Does “Work Out Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling” Mean?
Question 7007
Philippians 2:12-13 is one of those passages that has puzzled believers and been misused by those who want to introduce works into salvation. Paul writes: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but 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 work for his good pleasure.” At first glance, this seems to contradict everything Paul taught about salvation by grace through faith. But a careful examination reveals something quite different—and quite wonderful.
The Verse in Context
Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi from prison in Rome, probably around AD 61-62. The Philippian church was one of Paul’s favourites—the first church he planted in Europe after his vision of the Macedonian man calling for help in Acts 16. The congregation included Lydia, the Philippian jailer and his household, and many others who had come to faith through Paul’s ministry. They had been faithful supporters of Paul and had sent Epaphroditus to care for him during his imprisonment.
The immediate context of our passage is essential for understanding what Paul means. In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul has just set forth the magnificent hymn about Jesus’ incarnation, humiliation, and exaltation. Jesus, though equal with God, emptied Himself, took the form of a servant, humbled Himself to death on a cross, and was therefore highly exalted by the Father. This example of humility and obedience forms the backdrop for Paul’s exhortation in verses 12-13.
“Work Out” Not “Work For”
The first thing to notice is that Paul says “work out” (κατεργάζεσθε, katergazesthe) not “work for.” This distinction is vital. Paul is not telling the Philippians to earn their salvation or to contribute to securing it. He is telling them to express outwardly what God has already placed within them. The verb κατεργάζομαι means to bring to completion, to accomplish, to carry out to the full. It carries the idea of working something out to its logical conclusion, like a miner working out the gold from a seam or a farmer working out the potential of his land.
Charles Ryrie helpfully explains: “Paul is not asking them to work for their salvation but to work out what God has worked in. Salvation is by grace through faith; sanctification involves our cooperation with the indwelling Spirit” (Ryrie Study Bible, note on Phil. 2:12). John Walvoord concurs: “The Christian life involves the outworking of the new life which God has implanted… We are to express in our conduct the reality of our salvation” (Philippians: Triumph in Christ, p. 67).
Think of it this way. If someone gives you a gift of seeds and fertile ground, you don’t earn the gift by planting and watering—the gift is already yours. But you do work out the potential of that gift through cultivation. The harvest is the result of both the gift and your labour, but the gift came first and made everything else possible. So it is with salvation: God gives us new life in Jesus, and we then work out that life in practical obedience.
“Your Own Salvation”
Paul says “your own salvation” (τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν, tēn heautōn sōtērian). The word σωτηρία (sōtēria) can refer to different aspects of salvation. In Scripture, salvation has three tenses: we have been saved (justification—past), we are being saved (sanctification—present), and we will be saved (glorification—future). Context determines which aspect is in view.
In Philippians 2:12, the context strongly suggests Paul is speaking of sanctification—the present, ongoing outworking of salvation in daily life. The Philippians had already believed; Paul calls them “beloved” and “saints” (1:1). He is not questioning their salvation but exhorting them to live it out. Homer Kent observes: “Salvation here is not the initial experience of conversion, which was theirs already, but the progressive development of the Christian life” (Philippians, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, p. 133).
The phrase “your own” also emphasises personal responsibility. Paul had been with them before, guiding and leading them. Now, in his absence, they must take ownership of their spiritual growth. They cannot rely on Paul’s presence to sustain their obedience. Each believer must personally engage in the process of sanctification.
“With Fear and Trembling”
The phrase “with fear and trembling” (μετὰ φόβου καὶ τρόμου, meta phobou kai tromou) is not about being terrified of losing salvation. Rather, it speaks of reverent awe, humility, and seriousness in the face of so great a salvation. Paul uses the same phrase in 1 Corinthians 2:3 to describe his own ministry among the Corinthians—not paralysed by fear but deeply aware of the weight of his calling. We are to take our walk with God seriously, not treating grace as cheap or sanctification as optional.
“For It Is God Who Works in You”
Verse 13 contains the key to understanding verse 12. The Greek word for “works” in verse 13 is ἐνεργῶν (energōn), from which we get our word “energy.” God is the one energising, empowering, working within believers. He produces both the willing and the doing. Our responsibility is to cooperate with what He is doing, not to generate it ourselves.
Lewis Sperry Chafer wrote: “Divine enablement does not cancel human responsibility; rather, it makes human effort effective. The believer is not passive but is empowered for active obedience” (Systematic Theology, Vol. 6, p. 232). This is the balance of the Christian life: total dependence on God, total engagement of our will. We work because He works. We can work because He works. The pressure is off because the power is His; the responsibility is on because He has called us to participate.
The phrase “for his good pleasure” (ὑπὲρ τῆς εὐδοκίας, hyper tēs eudokias) indicates that God’s work in us is according to His gracious purpose. It delights God to sanctify His children. This is not reluctant duty on God’s part but joyful activity flowing from His love.
Practical Application
What does this look like practically? The context of Philippians gives us guidance. In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul calls for unity, humility, and considering others more significant than ourselves. In 2:14-16, he immediately follows with: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Working out our salvation means living as lights in a dark world, holding fast to the word of life, pursuing unity and humility in the church.
Working out salvation includes things like: putting off the old self and putting on the new (Ephesians 4:22-24), pursuing holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14), mortifying the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit (Romans 8:13), bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus (2 Peter 3:18). None of this earns salvation; all of it expresses and develops salvation.
Addressing Misunderstandings
Some have used this verse to teach that salvation must be maintained by works. This contradicts the whole of Paul’s teaching. In Ephesians 2:8-9 he writes: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Romans 11:6 adds: “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.”
Paul would not contradict himself within the same letter. Earlier in Philippians, he expressed confidence that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (1:6). The guarantee of final salvation rests on God’s faithfulness, not our performance. But God’s faithfulness does not eliminate our responsibility to walk in obedience. Grace that saves also transforms, and transformed people live differently.
Conclusion
For the unbeliever, this passage points to the need for regeneration. You cannot work out what you do not have. If God has not worked salvation in you, you have nothing to work out. The first step is not self-improvement but receiving new life through faith in Jesus. He died for our sins and rose again, offering forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe. Once that new life is received, the joyful work of sanctification begins.
For the believer, this passage is both an encouragement and a call to action. Be encouraged: God is at work in you! The desire you have for holiness, the discomfort you feel with sin, the longing to grow—these are evidence of His energising presence. And take action: work out what He has worked in. Don’t be passive. Engage in the means of grace: Scripture, prayer, fellowship, service. Pursue holiness with fear and trembling, knowing that God Himself is empowering every step.
“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
Bibliography
- Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology. Vol. 6. Dallas Seminary Press, 1948.
- Kent, Homer A. Philippians. In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 11. Zondervan, 1978.
- Lightner, Robert P. Sin, the Savior, and Salvation. Thomas Nelson, 1991.
- Pentecost, J. Dwight. Pattern for Maturity. Moody Press, 1966.
- Ryrie, Charles C. Ryrie Study Bible. Moody Press, 1995.
- Walvoord, John F. Philippians: Triumph in Christ. Moody Press, 1971.