Bible readers, what do you think this verse means?

Question

Philippians 2:12, Im reading in the KJV.

Answer 1

It means what it says, that we must work out our salvation. You often hear people taking about "faith" or "works". The people who go on and on about "faith" don't want anyone to get the wrong idea that they can earn salvation. Those who go on and on about "works" don't want people to just act like everything is taken care of and take God's mercy for granted.

However, the dichotomy between faith and works is something we set up. It is a false dichotomy. Every time I say I have faith but I don't back it up with my actions, it is a faith that isn't worth anything. It is just an intellectual excercise and God doesn't care about it. On the other hand, when I do good works but I do them in a self righteous way, treating them like a duty or like these works are going to earn me brownie points, those works mean nothing. Only faith that is backed up by my actions (works) is worth anything, and only works that are motivated by my faith and love are worth anything.

Faith *VS.* Works makes no sense because it treats them as different things. Faith/Works as a unit is the only thing that matters. So go work out your salvation... feed the hungry, clothe the poor, pray for others, give alms, show mercy, love your neighbor, pray, and read Scripture- but remember to always do it out of your faith and love towards God.

Answer 2

The idea here is not that you earn your salvation, but that your obedience to God is evidence of your salvation. So Paul is saying basically, "Obey even though I'm not around to tell you what you should be doing, because if you don't, you have reason to question your salvation, which is good cause to fear." That's a very broad paraphrase, obviously, but that's the message I think it's trying to convey. Hope that's helpful. Good question. I'd give you a thumb's up but I'm a newbie.

Answer 3

What IIII think it means is:
Galatians 3:19-25
Luke 13:3
Acts 3:18
1John 1:9
Revelation 3:19-20
!John 5:11-12
John 1:12

Ephesians 2:19 “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,”- Ephesians 2:19

Answer 4

Hebrews 10:31 It is a *fearful thing* to fall into the hands of the living God.

James 2:19 You, believe there is one God do you? The demons believe and SHUDDER.

Hebrews 12:29 For our God is also a consuming fire.

Psalms 110:10 The fear of YHWH/Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom.

Answer 5

Paul was writing to the Philippians from prison. He was thanking them for their good work for Christ. He wanted them to continue to work on their salvation and the salvation of others with extreme passion and focus. They were not to be sidetracked the true issue at hand.

Answer 6

1.) Do the right thing.

2.) You've been given all the information you need now it's up to you to figure it out for yourselves and truly understand the material.

3.) Don't just memorize it and be able to regurgitate it but really comprehend what you have been taught so that you can teach it to others and so help them achieve salvation also.

Answer 7

you know how when people are at work and their boss is there so they do what they're supposed to do but when the boss is on vacation, they slack off because no one's there over their shoulders cracking a whip? it's like that. Paul's saying to the philippians, you continued to do what you were supposed to do when no one was there standing over your shoulder to make sure you did. now, continue to do that.

Answer 8

My version (The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures) says:
"Consequently, my beloved ones, in the way that you have always obeyed, not during my presence only, but now much more readily during my absence, keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

I think it's pretty self-explanatory, but to elaborate I feel that the apostle Paul, one of the pioneers of the Christian congreation of the first century, was exhorting the other members of the Christian congegation to solidify their faith, prove it to themselves, so that long after he died (since many Christians looked up to him) they would have accurate knowledge and stong beliefs already instilled so that they could help lead future generations of Christians, and also to 'keep working out their salvation' or living a life of love and service of Jehovah God and His Son.
Based on Jesus' words at John 17:3 it says "This means everlasting LIFE, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." So Christianity depended on them teaching future generations just as Paul taught them so that future generations would be able to know of and follow Jesus' example and be in line for life under God's Kingdom.

Answer 9

"Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling". This verse comes to mind when I see one believer harrassing another believer over things they disagree about. Should you ever, ever drink? What kind of music should you listen to? Should you have a Christmas tree or not? "Working out" your own salvation doesn't mean we "work" to be saved. It means we need to "tend to our own" walk with God. Be focused on the Lord, look to how WE are serving and obeying Him....not be focused and critical of others' walks.

Answer 10

That just saying Jesus is my Lord and Savior is not enough. Each moment of my life I must continually turn towards Christ in action and deed in my daily life.

It reaffirms my belief in Faith and Works for salvation!

Faith, Hope and Love. The greatest of these is Love.
(Faith in Action) Not just lip service.