Philippians 2:12 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Wherefore, my beloved,— If St. Paul's discourse, here is read with attention, it will be found, that having dispatched his argument from the example of Christ, he comes now, to apply it to the purpose for which he brought it; namely, to press upon them that kind and friendly temper and behaviour towards one another, mentioned, Philippians 2:3-5. This is still more plain, if we observe that in Philippians 2:14 he continues his discourse upon this subject in the general. Mr. Peirce gives a very peculiar interpretation of the present passage, which we will just subjoin: "Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed me with the greatest humility and concern, not only when I have been present with you, but more especially since I left you, I am the more encouraged to urge upon you by this example of Christ, the duty that I have recommended to you, of looking to the concerns of others, as well as your own; and of promoting each other's welfare. And you have good reason for this, because in so doing you comply with the motion of God himself, who works in you to be inclined and to act, out of good-will; and therefore, take care that you do all such good offices cheerfully, withoutmurmurings,"&c.—Butthefollowing, as it is the more general, so does it seem by far the more just interpretation of this text: "Wherefore, my beloved, as God hath, in the person of his Son, thus gloriously rewarded that bright assemblage of virtues, for which he was so incomparably illustrious; and particularly that condescension, humility, and benevolence, which I have been so earnestly recommending to you; let it be considered by you as an engagement to tread in his steps, with diligence and resolution, so far as the feeble powers of human nature regenerated by grace may admit. And, as justice requires me to acknowledge that you have always been obedient to my instructions and exhortations, while Ihave had the pleasure of being with you, be solicitous that not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, (which, though it deprives you of some advantages, yet as it is owing to my bonds in your cause, ought to increase the tenderness of your concern for my comfort) you may work out your own salvation with great earnestness and assiduity; yea, considering its infinite importance, with holy fear and trembling. I say your own salvation; for that will be most effectually secured and promoted by the temper that I have now been recommending. Seize that happy opportunity of doing it which divine grace affords; for God is he who worketh in you, both to will and to perform, of his own good pleasure. You ought therefore to consider every good affection and purpose which arises in your heart, as suggested by his grace, which waits upon you to enable you to bring it into perfection." The original of Philippians 2:13 is very emphatic; for it asserts on the one hand, that God is actually or continually operating in the souls of true believers; and on the other, that thus to work in the heart for such noble purposes, is the prerogative of God, and an effect worthy of his divine attributes and perfections. Bp. Sherlocke has given us a fine interpretation of this passage of scripture; which, he observes, consists of two parts; an exhortation, and an argument, by which that exhortation is enforced. The exhortation you have in these words, Work out your own salvation, &c. The argument to enforce it follows in the next words: For it is God which worketh, &c. an argument which may at first sight seem rather to lead to confidence only, and not at all to fear. For if God be for us, who can be against us? or what is there to fear, when we are thus supported? The disciples of the gospel had many enemies to encounter with. Now with respect to these, the argument may furnish us with great confidence. There is likewise a fear which respects our friends, and that is, a fear of losing theirfavour and assistance; and the more a man is dependant upon his friends, the greater is generally his fear of losing their protection. Of this kind of fear the Apostle speaks in the text, "Work out, &c. for it is a work that you are no ways sufficient for of yourselves; therefore have a care of offending him on whom you entirely depend." That the Apostle means this kind of fear, may be seen by his own way of reasoning. In the beginning of this chapter, he presses humility upon the Philippians, from the example of Christ, and the great reward he obtained for his glorified humanity on that account; and, as if humility and fear were the same thing, he thus concludes, "Wherefore, my beloved, work out, &c." If we believe God works in us, it will make us humble, because we can do nothing without him; it will likewise make us fear and tremble to disobey him, from whom our salvation cometh. That this fear is the fear of offending God, and losing his favour, is further evident from Philippians 2:14. Do all things without, &c. Now, what fear is it that makes men obey cheerfully? Not the fear of punishment; for who grumble more than slaves? But where the fear that possesses the heart is the fear of disobliging a kind friend or beloved master upon whom we depend, there fear gives wings to obedience. Philippians 2:15 supplies us with the like argument: the words are these; That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, &c. Now then, the fear which the Apostle speaks of is the fear of a son; the fear of offending the father whom he loves; it is a fear which renders obedience blameless, without rebuke; which no fear can do, but a fear of offending him we love, and him we depend on. The reason why we ought to fear, is because God worketh in us, &c. To will and to do good, are terms and conditions of our salvation; and therefore from whence we have the power to will and to do, from thence we have the means of salvation. Now salvation comprehends in it all the good that we are capable of enjoying, without which ourlife is death, and our hope misery: so that if we depend upon God to work in us both to will and to do, we depend upon him for all that is, or can be valuable to man.—And farther, God worketh in us of his own good pleasure: we have no right or claim to his assistance except through Christ. All our danger is in losing the favour of God, and therefore for that must be all our fear. But farther, this fear arises from a sense of our own insufficiency; and since God does help our weakness, itis great reason that we should love and adore him: so that the fear which arises hence, is not in the least degree inconsistent with the perfect love of God. Thatit is of his good pleasure that he assists us, is a great evidence of his love to us, and a great argument of our love to him. So that to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, is, "with the utmost care and diligence to set ourselves to perform the will and commands of God, to be diligent to make our calling and election sure." See the Inferences and Reflections.