Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed: having confirmed the example of Christ's admirable condescension and affection from the glorious issue of it, he doth here reassume his exhortation, with a friendly compellation, commending their former sincere endeavours to obey the gospel (so Philippians 1:5, and Philippians 2:15) in following Christ, Matthew 11:28, and moving them to persevere in obedience and love to God and man. Not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence; that it might be evident, whether the eye of their pastor were upon them or not, a prevailing love to Christ, and their own souls welfare, was prevalent with them; but especially, being he was now detained from them, and might be jealous of some defects in them, James 3:2 1 John 1:8, did engage them more than any thing to embrace his exhortation, which he enlargeth in other words. Work out your own salvation: he moves them as saints, Philippians 1:1, in whom God would perfect his work begun, Philippians 2:6, having given them to believe and suffer, Philippians 2:29, that they would seriously and earnestly busy themselves in those things, which on their parts are necessary to salvation, as 1 Thessalonians 6:27 Hebrews 6:9, and without which it cannot be had, as Philippians 1:10 Matthew 24:13 Colossians 3:10,12, &c.; 1 Timothy 1:18,19 1 Timothy 6:19 2 Timothy 2:5, 2 Timothy 4:7,8 2 Peter 3:17; yea, press on in the way to their own salvation, as he moved, 1 Timothy 4:16, not that they should not be solicitous about others, for that mutual care is implied, as elsewhere required, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:24; but that every one should strenuously go on towards the mark with a special regard to himself, and the temptations he may meet with, knowing he must bear his own burden, Galatians 6:1,5, and therefore should take heed lest he fall. The papists arguings hence that our actions are sufficient and meritorious causes of salvation, are altogether inconsequent. For the apostle doth not say our actions work out salvation, but: Work out your own salvation, which is much different. It were absurd to say, because the Jews were enjoined to eat the passover with loins girt, that loins girt were eating of the passover. Indeed, what the papists urge is contrary to this doctrine of Paul, who doth elsewhere place blessedness in remission of sins, and shows eternal life is the gift of God, Romans 4:6,7 Romans 6:23; and we are saved by grace, not of works, Romans 3:20,24,25 4:16 Ephesians 2:8 Titus 3:5 and contrary to the main scope of the apostle, which is to beat down pride and conceit of deserving, and persuade to humility. He drives at this, that we should not be idle or lazy in the business of salvation, but work together with God, (yet as instruments, in whom there is no strength which is not derived from him), that we may evidence we do not receive his grace in vain, 2 Corinthians 6:1,2. But this co-operation doth not respect the acquiring or meriting of salvation, which is proper to Christ alone, and incommunicable to any others, Acts 4:12, who cannot be said to be their own saviours: this co-operation, or working out, respects only the application, not the performing of the payment, which Christ hath abundantly perfected: but the embracing of the perfect payment, is not that which can be the cause and foundation of right for which it is deservedly conferred; but only the way and means by which we come to partake of salvation. With fear and trembling; i.e. with a holy care to do all acceptably: he doth by these two words mean not any servile fear and slavish despondency, arising from doubting, Philippians 4:4, but only a serious, filial fear, implying a deep humility and submissiveness of mind, with a reverential awe of the Divine Majesty, and a solicitude to avoid that evil which is offensive to him and separates from him. We find these words used to the like import, Psalms 2:11 Daniel 5:19 Daniel 6:26 Romans 11:20 with 1 Corinthians 2:3 2 Corinthians 7:5 Ephesians 6:5; connoting that, after the example of Christ, we should be humble, and though we distrust ourselves, yet we are to trust solely to God, (as an infant may be afraid, and yet cling fast to and depend upon, begging help of, the parent, going over a dangerous precipice), for the accomplishment of our salvation.
Related Commentaries of Philippians 2:12
Philippians 2:12
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.