Doesn’t the Bible very often reject the idea that salvation can be earned through one’s own works (e.g., Eph 2:8.9)? So how should we understand Phil 2:12.13, where Paul says: “Work out your own salvation“? Is this a contradiction?

Philippians 2:12, 13: “Therefore, my beloved, as you 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; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

What is salvation, and how can I bring it about myself with fear and trembling? If you want to understand these verses correctly, you need to know that the word “salvation” does not always mean the same thing. The New Testament distinguishes at least three aspects of salvation. One aspect relates to the past, one to the present, and one to the future.

As far as the past is concerned, we are saved from the eternal consequences of sin, death, and condemnation. “By grace, you have been saved” – we already possess this salvation, and it is entirely the work of God. Not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph 2: 8-9). Philippians 2 does not mean that we can bring it about ourselves.

Most passages in Paul’s letters show us a future salvation at the end of our journey of faith. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:8, this is the hope of the believer. The Lord Jesus Himself is the “Savior” whom we await and who will transform our bodies and then save us not only from the eternal consequences of sin but also completely from the presence and dangers of sin (Phil 3:20-21; cf. also Rom 13:11; Heb 9:28). This salvation is also independent of our actions.

Between salvation in the past and our future salvation lies our life as believers here on earth. The presence of sin, both in us and in the world around us, from which we will soon be completely saved, still is a real danger to us today. We will not perish because of it, for the salvation of our souls is secured. But we can very well suffer defeat. And that is where our responsibility comes into play.  We must “work out” our salvation daily by walking carefully, taking care of ourselves, holding fast to the Word of God, not neglecting self-judgment, and remaining in agreement and fellowship with God to be preserved daily from the working of sin in us.

Through his spiritual strength and insight, Paul had certainly saved the Philippians from many a deviation, but now he was no longer with them. That is why he writes to them that they should now work out their “own salvation” with fear and trembling. This fear is not the fear of God, nor is it the fear of being lost. It is the fear of losing God’s approval and the enjoyment of his fellowship through wayward ways. How good that we are not left to our own resources. The power of God is available to us; it works in us the desire for a godly way of life (“the will”) and is the source of every good work. This knowledge of divinely perfect support should spur us on even more to carefully work out our own salvation.

Paul advises Timothy: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save yourself” (1 Tim 4:16). And Paul also presents himself as an example. He lived in the joy of fellowship with Christ in such a way that he could say: “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance [or “work out my salvation”] through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ [“for it is God who works in you”], according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed [“with fear and trembling”], but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death [“for his good pleasure”]” (Phil 1:19-20).