What does this portion mean, ” WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH TREMBLING AND FEAR” does it mean we are to contribute to the saving of ourselves or what?
Discussion
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Work out what is in. Not work “for”.
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To understand this phrase, we should look on the context of the whole passage
“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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12,13
It seems that Paul is implying that the Philippians, even in his absence, should do things required by God for His pleasure to exercise their salvation by the evidence of their good works, and to fear the Lord lest they be found deceived by their own selves thinking their repentance to follow God is true. “God who works in you” – meaning it is God who builds them up to righteousness and if so should produce the fruit of righteousness, and if not, then they did not really received the gift of salvation, thus deceived by themselves. We can have a glimpse what is happening in the church in Philippi on next verse that says “Do all things without grumbling or disputing”
Paul clearly states in Ephesians 2:8 that we are saved by what Jesus did on the cross and not our works
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Good works is the fruit believing in Jesus as the Lord and Savior, and having a repentant heart towards God. It is not the other way around. We cannot add to our salvation, for God has already done it for us.
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It simply means live it out
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