Work Out Your Own Salvation

(Philippians 2:12)

Mike Johnson

Philippians 2:12 says, “ . . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” What is this passage saying? Is it saying there are many ways to be saved, and people can be saved by whatever method they choose? This is not the meaning of this passage as such a view would contradict other clear passages found in the Scriptures.

From this passage, we learn an important principle that salvation is an individual matter as he speaks of your “own” salvation. Our salvation is not based on what others do but on what we do. In fact, 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” Hebrews 5:8-9 emphasizes that Christ “. . . became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

In addition to telling us that we must work out salvation, Philippians 2:12 tells us that we must do this with fear and trembling.” Thus, we must have reverence for God and be highly conscientious in seeking to obey Him. Our salvation should be of such great importance that we would never approach it in a careless or unconcerned way. When dealing with our salvation, we are dealing with that which pertains to our eternal destination.

So let us work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.