It wasn’t always controversial to suggest that the presence of police officers reduces crime. Numerous studies confirm this truth. After the death of George Floyd, when “Defund the police” became the primary goal of the Black Lives Matter platform, I was shocked how readily several friends of mine were to defend the concept. It was depressing to see major cities, with high rates of crime, reducing the budget of their law enforcement.
The result of this insanity—as everyone should have anticipated—was an increase in violent crime. The US experienced its largest increase in homicide rates in history last year.
What does this have to do with Philippians? Even Paul acknowledges the tendency for people to obey when authorities are present. He urges his readers, for the second time (https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php1.27 (Phil 1:27); https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php2.12 (2:12)), to practice obedience in his absence even more than they did when he was present. Why? Because disobedience increases without accountability. He will explain that the Christian should always obey, but he qualifies this in several ways.
Paul will show by necessary implication that, obedience offered with eager self-dependency or grumbling reluctance results in a shame-filled and joyless isolation. His encouraging exhortation can be summarized in this way: Those who overcome their pride and reluctance to obey God will rejoice in community.
Pray & Read https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php2.12-18 (Philippians 2:12-18)
I. The Source of Christian Obedience (12-13)Paul exhorts them to obey whether he is present or absent recognizing that God is the source of their strength.
Paul is not accusing the Philippians of disobedience. He has repeatedly rejoiced in the fruit of God’s work in them. Rather than rebuke, he spurs them on to further good deeds. Obedience especially counts when no one is there to enforce it. In that case, the work of God’s Spirit is all the more evident.
It is the believer’s responsibility to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (12). Paul is not talking about working for our salvation. He is not suggesting that we are saved by works, but that our sanctification requires work.
What does fear and trembling have to do with obedience? Those uncomfortable with this language attempt to read it in an almost unrecognizable fashion. They interpret v.13 as if it essentially cancels out v.12. It is unhelpful to immediately reinterpret “fear and trembling” as “reverence and awe”. There is a logical correlation, but it requires explanation.
“Fear and trembling” is the correct translation, and it means exactly what it sounds like. Its meaning does not change when applied to believers. It’s the same word used by the psalmist who encourages the kings of the earth to...
Psalm 2:11–12 ESV
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
We might find it difficult to grasp how we can “rejoice with trembling.” Scripture rarely connects the two, but Paul certainly does here (https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php2.12 (Phil 2:12), https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php2.17-18 (17-18)).
This acknowledges a deep sense of respect for the Lord’s authority to discipline his children. The opposite would be to work out your salvation with unwavering confidence. Fear reveals a dependence upon God. Trembling causes us to reach out for something to stabilize us.
As a loving Father, God has the authority to discipline, but he delights in obedience. As a true child, we seek to please him rather than provoke him.
There is a correlation between Paul’s call for humility earlier in the chapter and his call for fear and trembling here. Both commend a submissive spirit before a perfectly holy and...
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