Philippians 2:12-13

With “wherefore” Paul returns from his reflection on Jesus to the Philippians and their responsibility in light of the gospel. Like Jesus obeyed the father, the Philippians are to obey Paul, who is Christ’s servant (1:1), whether he is present with them or is communicating with them through his emissaries or a letter. 

The command for the Philippians is “to work out your salvation in a manner of fear and trembling” (1:12). These terms connote serious and consequential activity. It is not Paul, of course, whom the Philippians are most to be concerned of, but God himself. They should pursue Christian living that is fitting to the gospel Paul has delivered, essentially for the sobering reason that “God is the one working in you to will and work on behalf of his good pleasure” (2:13). 

This is a striking reminder of God’s preeminent activity in the life of his people. One’s “partnership in the gospel” (1:5) is not to be taken lightly, for God stands behind such beginnings and his glory is the goal of its continuance and completion (cf. 1:6, 11).  This principle serves as a bridge between 2:1–4 and 2:14–18—by providing the grounds for Paul’s instructions in the former passage concerning like-mindedness and humility and for the latter passage, to which we turn next.