Christians often quote "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" when discussing salvation by faith alone and its relationship to works. Do we need to produce works in our salvation to maintain it? Or if we don't, does that prove we never had it in the first place?
Let's take a look at the verse.
The Word of God says in Philippians chapter 2, starting in verse 12:
Philippians 2:12 (ESV)
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
This passage is often misunderstood and misused to assert that an individual must work for their own salvation — whether to be saved, stay saved, or prove the validity of their conversion.
But first and foremost, it is imperative that we establish what this salvation is actually referring to. The context shows that this is a physical deliverance from temporal suffering, not a spiritual salvation from hell.
Context from Philippians Chapter 1
Paul begins establishing the nature of this “salvation” back in Philippians chapter 1:
Philippians 1:16 (ESV)
“The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.”
The context (starting in verse 13) is clear — Paul is referring to a literal, physical imprisonment — “my chains.”
Jump down to verse 19:
Philippians 1:19 (ESV)
“For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.”
Paul describes his expected deliverance from physical bonds as “my salvation” (Greek: sōtēria). Not a spiritual salvation from hell, but a physical salvation from temporal suffering.
Now go to verse 28 of the same chapter:
Philippians 1:28 (ESV)
“...and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.”
Again, this is a reference to physical deliverance — not spiritual redemption — but a temporal salvation from suffering.
And verse 29 continues:
Philippians 1:29 (ESV)
“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.”
What It Means to Work Out Your Own Salvation
“Working out your own salvation” means both an acceptance of God’s will and an expectation of God’s deliverance.
It is:
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An acceptance of God's will in the midst of suffering
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And an earnest expectation of His salvation — His deliverance from that suffering
This becomes even more clear when we keep reading:
Philippians 2:13 (ESV)
“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
It’s God who empowers both the willingness and the obedience — even during trials and hardship.
The Example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
We see this same mindset exemplified in Daniel chapter 3 with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
Daniel 3:15 (ESV)
“Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”
The king demands worship of his image, threatening death by fire. Now watch how these three men work out their own salvation — by trusting in God's will, and hoping for His deliverance.
Daniel 3:16–17 (ESV)
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.’”
Here is that expectation of deliverance.
Daniel 3:18 (ESV)
“But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
And here is the acceptance of God’s will, even if it includes suffering or death.
Paul's Example — Life or Death, Christ is Magnified
The Apostle Paul demonstrated this same mindset from behind prison walls:
Philippians 1:20–21 (ESV)
“...as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
This is ongoing obedience, regardless of outcome — humbly submitting to God’s will in the midst of suffering, with the earnest expectation of deliverance, or salvation.
A Mindset for Every Believer
This mindset is not optional — it is to be adopted by all believers.
Why?
Philippians 1:29 (ESV)
“For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.”
And how do we adopt this mindset?
Philippians 2:5–8 (ESV)
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Conclusion
To “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” is not about earning or maintaining your eternal salvation. It’s about:
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Submitting to God’s will in suffering
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Trusting Him for deliverance
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Obeying faithfully regardless of outcome
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And adopting the mindset of Christ, who humbled Himself unto death
This is a salvation of circumstance, not eternity — and it leads to the magnifying of Christ, whether by life or by death.