Philippians 2:12
WEB
So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
BSB
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
KJV
Wherefore, my beloved, 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.
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G5620
(insomuch) as, so that (then), (insomuch) that, therefore, to, wherefore
Derivation: from G5613 and G5037;
so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
KJV: (insomuch) as, so that (then), (insomuch) that, therefore, to, wherefore.
See also: G5613, G5037.
G27
(dearly, well) beloved, dear
Derivation: from G25;
beloved
KJV: (dearly, well) beloved, dear.
See also: G25.
G1473
I, me
Derivation: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)
KJV: I, me.
For the other cases and the plural see G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257, etc.
See also: G1691, G1698, G1700, G2248, G2249, G2254, G2257.
G2531
according to, (according, even) as, how, when
Derivation: from G2596 and G5613;
just (or inasmuch) as, that
KJV: according to, (according, even) as, how, when.
See also: G2596, G5613.
G3842
alway(-s), ever(-more)
Derivation: from G3956 and G3753;
every when, i.e. at all times
KJV: alway(-s), ever(-more).
See also: G3956, G3753.
G5219
hearken, be obedient to, obey
Derivation: from G5259 and G191;
to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority
KJV: hearken, be obedient to, obey.
See also: G5259, G191.
G3361
any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without
Derivation: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas G3756 expresses an absolute denial);
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas G3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without.
Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also G3362, G3363, G3364, G3372, G3373, G3375, G3378.
See also: G3756, G3362, G3363, G3364, G3372, G3373, G3375, G3378.
G5613
about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed
Derivation: probably adverb of comparative from G3739;
which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
KJV: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
See also: G3739.
G1722
about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in)
Derivation: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537);
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in).
Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
See also: G1519, G1537.
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G3952
coming, presence
Derivation: from the present participle of G3918;
a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect
KJV: coming, presence.
See also: G3918.
G3441
alone, only, by themselves
Derivation: probably from G3306;
remaining, i.e. sole or single; by implication, mere
KJV: alone, only, by themselves.
See also: G3306.
G235
and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet
Derivation: neuter plural of G243;
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
See also: G243.
G3568
henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time)
Derivation: a primary particle of present time;
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
KJV: henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time).
See also G3569, G3570.
See also: G3569, G3570.
G4183
abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly
Derivation: including the forms from the alternate πολλός;
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
KJV: abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.
Compare G4118, G4119.
See also: G4118, G4119.
G3123
+ better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather
Derivation: neuter of the comparative of the same as G3122;
(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather
KJV: + better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.
See also: G3122.
G666
absence
Derivation: from the participle of G548;
a being away
KJV: absence.
See also: G548.
G3326
after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out)
Derivation: a primary preposition (often used adverbially);
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G575 or G1537 and G1519 or G4314; less intimate than G1722 and less close than G4862)
KJV: after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out).
Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.
See also: G4314, G575, G1537, G1519, G1722, G4862.
G5401
be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror
Derivation: from a primary φέβομαι (to be put in fear);
alarm or fright
KJV: be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.
G2532
and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet
Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
G5156
+ tremble(-ing)
Derivation: from G5141;
a "trembling", i.e. quaking with fear
KJV: + tremble(-ing).
See also: G5141.
G1438
alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves)
Derivation: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of G846;
him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
KJV: alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).
See also: G846.
G4991
deliver, health, salvation, save, saving
Derivation: feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly, abstract) noun;
rescue or safety (physically or morally)
KJV: deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.
See also: G4990.
G2716
cause, to (deed), perform, work (out)
Derivation: from G2596 and G2038;
to work fully, i.e. accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion
KJV: cause, to (deed), perform, work (out).
See also: G2596, G2038.
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Verses 12–13
Philippians 2:12–13
I. He exhorts them to diligence and seriousness in the Christian course: Work out your own salvation. It is the salvation of our souls (Pe1 1:9), and our eternal salvation (Heb 5:9), and contains deliverance from all the evils sin had brought upon us and exposed us to, and the possession of all good and whatsoever is necessary to our complete and final happiness. Observe, It concerns us above all things to secure the welfare of our souls: whatever becomes of other things, let us take care of our best interests. It is our own salvation, the salvation of our own souls. It is not for us to judge other people; we have enough to do to look to ourselves; and, though we must promote the common salvation (Jde 1:3) as much as we can, yet we must upon no account neglect our own. We are required to work out our salvation, katergazesthe. The word signifies working thoroughly at a thing, and taking true pains. Observe, We must be diligent in the use of all the means which conduce to our salvation. We must not only work at our salvation, by doing something now and then about it; but we must work out our salvation, by doing all that is to be done, and persevering therein to the end. Salvation is the great thing we should mind, and set our hearts upon; and we cannot attain salvation without the utmost care and diligence. He adds, With fear and trembling, that is, with great care and circumspection: "Trembling for fear lest you miscarry and come short. Be careful to do every thing in religion in the best manner, and fear lest under all your advantages you should so much as seem to come short," Heb 4:1. Fear is a great guard and preservative from evil.
II. He urges this from the consideration of their readiness always to obey the gospel: "As you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, Phi 2:12. You have been always willing to comply with every discovery of the will of God; and that in my absence as well as presence. You make it to appear that regard to Christ, and care of your souls, sway more with you than any mode of showing respect whatsoever." They were not merely awed by the apostle's presence, but did it even much more in his absence. "And because it is God who worketh in you, do you work out your salvation. Work, for he worketh." It should encourage us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain. God is ready to concur with his grace, and assist our faithful endeavours. Observe, Though we must use our utmost endeavours in working out our salvation, yet still we must go forth, and go on, in a dependence upon the grace of God. His grace works in us in a way suitable to our natures, and in concurrence with our endeavours; and the operations of God's grace in us are so far from excusing, that they are intended to quicken and engage our endeavours. "And work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for he worketh in you." All our working depends upon his working in us. "Do not trifle with God by neglects and delays, lest you provoke him to withdraw his help, and all your endeavours prove in vain. Work with fear, for he works of his good pleasure." - To will and to do: he gives the whole ability. It is the grace of God which inclines the will to that which is good: and then enables us to perform it, and to act according to our principles. Thou hast wrought all our works in us, Isa 26:12. Of his good pleasure. As there is no strength in us, so there is no merit in us. As we cannot act without God's grace, so we cannot claim it, nor pretend to deserve it. God's good will to us is the cause of his good work in us; and he is under no engagements to his creatures, but those of his gracious promise.
Cross-references: 1Pet 1:9 · Heb 5:9 · Jude 1:3 · Heb 4:1 · Phil 2:12 · Isa 26:12