Working out our own salvation

Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, even 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;13 for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

The translation of “fear and trembling” seems to indicate a negative force that would have us “working” in a sense to fear the consequences of what may happen if we don’t work. If that is the case then I could somehow talk myself into believing that my salvation has come about because of my works to avoid the consequences of not working. If that were the case then I have negated the blood of Christ since I have put my faith into my works rather than His work on the cross.

I believe that many denominations believe this way and find it easy to light candles or do confessions to rid themselves of failures, then “do good works” to pad the ledger for themselves on the “good” side of their list.


I wonder if a better translation might be “awe and reverence” that reflects the attitude the believer should have toward God as they consider their behavior in light of God working through Jesus Christ (2:6-11) and in the believer’s life (2:13) through the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish their salvation. Salvation comes first by the blood; then because of the blood through the work of the Holy Spirit as a result of the believer’s faith in Christ’s work on the cross. The believer has no works that would accomplish salvation.

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