Philippians: Resilient Joy - Week 5
Philippians 2:12-18
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Faithful Obedience
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Philippians 2:12-18 〰️ Faithful Obedience 〰️
We’re now at a transition point in Philippians. The first word we encounter this week in verse 12 is “therefore.” Paul is telling us that in light of all the things he has previously said (v1-11), we are to live accordingly. Paul then goes on to tell the Philippians to “work out your own salvation” (v12). But what does this mean? It seems almost the opposite of the gospel to work out our own salvation, right? Without getting too far into it, the word that is used for salvation in the text could also be translated as deliverance or preservation, which helps shed a little more light on Paul’s intent here. Paul is telling the Philippians that, in his absence, they are to “keep up the good work,” so to speak, and continue walking in humility, righteousness, and obedience. So the opening words from Paul are, “therefore,” in light of everything Paul’s taught you because of his absence; in light of Christ’s humility in v5-11, continue in the faith, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” because you are accountable for yourselves.
Conversely, this passage is not to be used as an excuse to dodge accountability but rather to encourage and call us to take responsibility for our relationship with the Lord. Paul is telling them that they cannot long-term depend on the hs faith to carry them, but that they’re to take ownership themselves. Just as I can’t depend on the faith of my parents past a certain point, we cannot rely solely on the faith of our pastors and spiritual leaders to carry us in our individual and corporate relationship with Christ.
Now, this is not to say that our salvation rests on our shoulders. Verse 13 says, “it is God who is working in you.” Scripture repeatedly affirms that salvation comes from faith in the Lord, not by anything we do or do not do. Paul writes of this explicitly to the church in Ephesus, saying, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast” (Eph 2:8-9). Every relationship (and covenants, if we return to the Old Testament) has two parties. We can always count on God to fulfill his part of the relationship or covenant. And as we read this passage in Ephesians, we know that this is only one of the two sides to a relationship with the Lord. Salvation is a gift, and a sanctifying relationship with God requires obedience and submission to His word. We’re to walk in obedience and faith, working out our own salvation rather than working for our own salvation. Working out our own salvation is simply walking with the Lord on a daily basis. Communing with Him through prayer, worship, and saturating our lives in His word.
Continuing in this passage, we read in verses 14-15 an exhortation to avoid grumbling and arguing. We see this as the basis and foundational part of following Jesus and being a faithful witness to the gospel. Paul desires that the Philippians would be “blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars…” [emphasis added] (v15). The end, for Paul, is that the church would be missional, sharing the gospel and witnessing to the world by way of their counter-cultural demeanors and habits, not “grumbling and arguing.”
In the following section, verses 19-30, what seems to be a formality in writing, Paul writes about Timothy and Epaphroditus. As we read these, we should remember that in chapter 1, Paul was writing of Christ’s humility. Immediately after doing so, Paul shares the honorable things he sees in and knows about his dear friends Timothy (v19-24) and Epaphroditus (v25-30).
This gives us an example of what it means to follow Christ. Paul, one of the most respected church leaders of his day, and now, in the history of Christianity, writes of the exemplary characteristics of others rather than about himself or his suffering for the gospel. It’s worth remembering that Paul was a Pharisee in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1-3). We know from reading the gospels that it wasn’t uncommon for religious leaders at this time to flaunt their own “faith” and “suffering” for religious clout or social credit (Luke 20:46-47, Matt. 23:1-7). This speaks to the radical transformation that comes with encountering Jesus. Being transformed by and following Jesus means counter-cultural humility and abounding grace.
As we continually navigate what it means to follow Jesus in a radically different way from the world and culture we live in, this passage holds a certain weight and meaning for us. Living with humility, without grumbling or arguing, even when it feels justified, can be one of the greatest witnesses we carry in a culture that is divided over everything.
Discussion Questions
What stood out to you from the passage?
What are some repeating words, phrases, or concepts in this passage?
What does this passage say is the source of our salvation?
What do you think the difference is between “working for your salvation” and “working out your salvation”?
In v14-15, why do you think Paul draws the connection between avoiding grumbling or arguing and being blameless and pure?
What do you think Paul means when he says “blameless and pure” in v15?
What are some ways you’re most prone to “grumbling and arguing”?
How do you think grumbling or arguing can harm our witness of the gospel to others?
Reread verses v14-16a. How does Paul say we’re able to resist grumbling and arguing?