THE MOST FRUSTRATING VERSE IN THE BIBLE

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12 (NKJV)

“You can’t work for a gift.  You can’t pay for a free item.  You can do nothing to earn the grace of God.  Just accept it.  Take it.  It’s yours.”  I cannot tell you how often I have heard these principles of theology and soteriology expounded in every way possible—preaching, teaching, singing, reading, quoting, counseling, meditating, and praying.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16 (NKJV).  That, in a nutshell, comprises the whole of the gospel message. 

And then this muscle-bound scripture runs in from the sidelines and slams me to the mat: “Work out your own salvation,” accompanied by this alarming warning, “with fear and trembling!” <choke> Now, I have been taught that one verse must not contradict a slew of other mitigating verses—sound exegetical strategy, generally speaking.  But in this instance, I’m having an extremely tough time making sense of it.  How can I work out something that needs no work?  What is there for me to do with a principle that forbids me to do anything with it?  How can I touch the untouchable?  How can I tweak perfection?  Even worse, I risk invoking fear and trembling unless I do what I’m not supposed to do.  And then this double whammy: I have been taught that if I dare add human work to God’s salvation, I invalidate the very thing I want!  Talk about frustrating! 

Time for some overdue analysis.  My rudimentary knowledge of the Greek language permits me to check out some various definitions of the term “work out” or, katergazomai.  It can mean to work fully, to accomplish, to finish or fashion or to perform.  That range of definitions poses no real problem if the Apostle refers to “daily problems,” as suggested by some commentators.  Instead of “work out,” the critical question then revolves around the second term, “salvation,” or soteria.  It can mean “health,” “safety,” “rescue,” or “deliver,” in a non-soteriological sense.  However, soteria can actually mean “salvation,” which it is so defined in forty out of forty-five times the word appears in the New Testament.  (Besides, if it only refers to our daily problems, what is the point of the “fear and trembling” qualifying phrase?)  Words with eternal consequences warrant fear and trembling; words referring to daily problems much less so. 

At the risk of boring you further, I do need to bore your further.  If we are indeed dealing with eternal salvation, it would behoove us to get this right, right?  I, therefore, take you to my number one source for Biblical language authority, Kittel’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.  I quote: 

“Since sozo, and soteria refer to the Last Judgment in these passages [including Philippians 2:12], both words can be used as comprehensive terms for salvation.” (Vol. VII, Pg. 992, paragraph 2.)  

Kittel further reinforces his conclusion, saying (in reference to Philippians 2:12) “ … where the antonym thanatos (death) brings out plainly the comprehensive sense of soteria.”  It seems abundantly clear to me, then, that “work out your own salvation” involves eternal life and death, the Last Judgment, and fully appropriating the work of Jesus Christ on Calvary for our own souls.  For many, this summation borders on heresy.  Thus, I need to explain. 

Before going and further, I assure you that no one can do anything to earn salvation.  The Blood of Jesus Christ alone—nothing else—purchased our salvation.  We are saved by grace, period.  At the same time, no Bible believer would say that nothing is required by the recipient of grace.  Faith is salvation’s most necessary first step.  Even those who most adamantly declare that grace alone saves us teach that each person who wants to be saved must ask for salvation in prayer.  Is not this elementary requirement an imposition on grace?  Does grace mean that a person who doesn’t want it, doesn’t ask for it, and doesn’t believe it can still have salvation?  Impossible.  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV) 

Life is full of requirements, even in circumstances of grace.  If a rich uncle dies and leaves you a mansion in an adjoining state, you must move there to receive it.  If your father fully funds your tuition for a college education, you still must go to school for your diploma.  If you are a cancer patient who gets word that a new treatment is available for you at no charge, you still must go to the treatment center to avail yourself of the generous grant. How does this apply to you and me in terms of salvation?  Simply this.  If you want salvation, you must come and get it.  Obedience is required.  “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.” Romans 16:25-27 (NKJV) 

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’” Acts 2:38-39 (NKJV)

Salvation is free.  Come and get it!