cmp.2008.06.23
ed.2009.06.11.02 (Public Review)
Organization
1. The Command
2. The Dilemma
3. Consistent Interpretation
4. Conclusion
5. Textual Analysis
The Command
Phil. 2:12 (NASB)
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
The Dilemma
When I first heard this verse, it was explained to me that this meant that we should each "figure out" our own salvation with fear and trembling. Even though this may not be a widely taught interpretation, I would like to explain this interpretation in order to clarify this commandment.
In English, we often use the phrase "to work out" to mean "figure out". I do not have an explanation why it was justified to interpret this passage in view of an English idiom, especially from this Greek passage, and in this particular context.
On the otherhand, if this passage really means that we are literally supposed to "work", it would be further evidence that Christians are called to do good work.
Consistent Interpretation
If we are each to "figure out" our own salvation, then there is not one way to find salvation. It is hard to believe that the path to salvation is "relative". Is the path to salvation different for each of us? Is it true that we all have to discover some new way to salvation, or has The Way already been made known to everyone? Christians believe that there is only one way to the Father, and that is through trust in Jesus, His son.
So, if this word "work" does not mean, "figure out", then what does it mean? The word "work" is used several times in this passage. It is unreasonable to interpret this word to mean "figure out" in one place, and as literal "work" in all of the other places. Isn't it reasonable to interpret this word consistently in this context? Either each of these passages in Greek implies "figuring out", or each of these passages imply literal "work" that is done. This is especially true because in every place, the same Greek root word is used.
Since there are no other instances in Scripture where "work" implies "figuring out", and since every use of this word in Scripture implies "something being done", then it is perfectly reasonable to conclude that this passage implies a literal action being accomplished.
Conclusion
If we interpret "work" literally, this command simply states:
"With fear and trembling of your own salvation, work!"
Isn't this also the final conclusion of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NASB)
The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
Isn't the fear of God the beginning of wisdom? Is it not also written that we are created to do good works?
Christians do not do good works because we are looking to be saved. On the contrary, we do good works as a result of our salvation. God, through the Spirit of Holiness has worked His salvation in us. As a result of what God has worked in us, we work for His pleasure. We do not work to earn salvation, but we live to do good work so that we may glorify God.
Textual Analysis
Argument:
In every case the word "work" is used in this passage, the same Greek root word is used. In every case, this word implies literal "work".
Phil. 2:12
μετὰ φόβου καὶ τρόμου τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν κατεργάζεσθε
with fear and trembling the your [own] salvation work
(Notice that the word "out", (as in "work out"), is not represented in the Greek.)
Phil. 2:13
θεὸς γάρ ἐστιν ὁ ἐνεργῶν ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ τὸ θέλειν καὶ τὸ ἐνεργεῖν ὑπὲρ τῆς εὐδοκίας.
God for is the worker in you [all] and the to will and the to work of the pleasure [of Him]
Phil. 2:30
ὅτι διὰ τὸ ἔργον κυρίου
because through the work [of the] Lord
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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3 comments:
Good stuff! Thanks for putting the Greek in ... wow it makes a big difference. What do you think about 2 Corinthians 5:9-11? Are we fearing the Lord because we know of the upcoming judgement seat of Christ? Yet verse 11 is under another heading in my Bible...got me thinking about the fear of the Lord. Cool!
Reposted this comment made by another user, removing personal info.
While I generally agree with your conclusion, I would have liked to see more analysis of the broader context of the book of Phillipians and have a sneaking suspicion that it would play a big factor in expositing this verse.
I think there are a couple hints that could point to an alternate explanation. (1) Paul talks about his suffering for the sake of the gospel in 1:12-25 and relays some of his difficult circumstances and trials. (2) In 1:28 Paul mentions that the Colossians are facing opposition. (3) In 1:29 he tells them they will suffer for the sake of the gospel ("granted"- as in this is a good thing from God's perspective and an opportunity to glorify God). (4) 1:30 says they will be engaged in the same conflict as Paul (the defense of the gospel in the face of opposition and suffering, I am assuming).
Given those contextual considerations, we would have to ask in regards to 2:12, who is the object of fear and trembling? Are they fearing and trembling before God? Or maybe they are fearing and trembling because of the opposition they are encountering?!
I honestly don't know, but no one has ever proven to me that God is the object of fear and trembling in this verse. It is always just assumed. The fact that God is referred to as helping us(or doing through us, really) the working out of our salvation in the very next verse (2:13) would make it somewhat odd that He was also the object of fear and trembling. Like, He is the one we should fear, then He is the one who is doing the work in fear. Now its almost sounding like God is fearing himself, if you're still following. Allright, that's a minor point anyways.
Thayer's Bible Dictionary makes some claims that the word "trembling" implies distrust in self. I would like to see more explanation of that term and if Paul is instructing believers to distrust in themselves so that they will trust God instead, and thereby have God's Spirit work through them. That would certainly be in line with many other passages in scripture, Galatians 2:20 being one.
What's for sure is that Paul is asking them to stand up for the gospel in the midst of opposition, even if that includes suffering. And, as you stated in the article, it was because they were already saved, not to earn their salvation. Paul including the term "your salvation" sort of implies they already have it. That would certainly be along the same tunes as Ephesians 2:10, where good works are a response to the salvation we already have.
Maybe they were anti-people-like-you, and they backed down from sound doctrine at the first whiff of a disagreement.
It is a really tough verse. I praise you for not going the route of many scare-tactic preachers who want to use this verse as a way to scare people into obedience because they might not be saved if they don't shape up. I really don't think that's what its saying because you would have to ignore the one-bajillion verses in the Bible that teach assurance of salvation.
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