PHILIPPIANS 2:12-18
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.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
TEN POINTS TO PONDER
How we behave when no one is watching is one of the most certain reflections of our character. Paul wanted the Philippians to demonstrate the depth of their character by remaining faithful even when he wasn’t around.
Working out our faith is similar to working out our muscles. The workout doesn’t make the muscles, it simply produces a better result. God saves us, but we must do work to produce the external results of what He’s done internally.
“Fear and trembling” is a reminder that we must take God seriously. Sometimes our life doesn’t produce maximum fruit because we don’t take God seriously.
Only you can choose whether you grumble or whether you are grateful.
Grumbling is a short-sighted and prideful response to disappointment.
Blameless means “no cause for accusation.” Innocent means “no cause for fear.” Without blemish means “no compromise.”
“Crooked and twisted generation” is a quote from Deuteronomy 32:5. It represents people who know the truth about God but choose to reject it.
Holding fast the word of life is impossible if the majority of your words are words of death. Those who consistently grumble, dispute, gossip, judge, complain, and condemn are speaking holding fast to words of death.
Whether I am glad or grumbling is not determined by my circumstances. It is determined by my perspective and my response.
Gladness is cultivated through intentional gratitude.
STRAIGHT FROM THE BIBLE: FIVE REASONS GRATITUDE WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
Gratitude is a simple habit to build, and it will have a profound impact on your life. The Bible is clear that the more gratitude you exhibit, the more you will experience the life God created you to live. Here are five reasons the Bible says gratitude is good for you.Gratitude Will Change Your Life
Gratitude can bring joy to our lives. “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” (Psalm 7:17)
Gratitude can strengthen our relationships. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Gratitude can improve our mental and physical health. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
Gratitude can increase overall happiness. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Gratitude can bring us closer to God. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)
Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF
The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into what the Bible teaches about grumbling:
- James 5:9-11
- John 6:43
- Ephesians 4:29-32
- Psalm 106:24-25
- Exodus 16:8
Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:
When was the last time someone said thank you to you? Did you deserve it? Had you done something amazing or was it just a small thing?
When was the last time someone didn’t thank you for something you did for them? How did you feel about that?
Read Psalm 105:1-8.
Which verse in this passage is your favorite? Why?
Are there any verses in this passage that are confusing? Can the group help?
How would you summarize this passage using only one sentence?
Verse one says to “Give thanks to the LORD” and to “make known among the nations what he has done.” How are these two activities different? Give specific examples of how you might obey each of these instructions?
As a group, make a list of 50 things God has accomplished for you.
Verse 8 says God remembers his covenant (or promise) forever. Which of God’s promises are most meaningful to you? Why?
How is your perspective on life’s situations changed when you spend extra time focusing on the good things God has done for you?
What can you do to make this kind of reflection a daily habit in your life?
2:12-18: Avoid grumbling and disputes
12a. Therefore.
This word reminds us that the following verses are connected to the previous verses. Jesus’ work on our behalf has implications for how we live. Our actions should reflect His action.
12b. 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.
Paul wanted their lives to be consistent whether he was with them or not. The Christian life is not a part-time job. It is a 24/7 commitment to being shaped into the image of Jesus. “Working out salvation” is clarified by the following verse. God works IN us, changing us internally. Our response is to allow those internal changes to work their way out. This isn’t a verse about losing or earning salvation, it is about producing the natural results of one who has been saved by God.
13. for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
God is the prime mover and actor in salvation. He gives grace to us. He sent Jesus for us. He raised Jesus for us. He (through the Spirit) draws us and convicts us. He forgives our sins. He declares us to be not guilty. He holds our inheritance for us in heaven. He will welcome us into eternity. He does all of this in us, around us, through us, and for us.
14. Do all things without grumbling or disputing.
Here is the command Paul wanted the Philippians to obey. Grumbling is a personal expression of displeasure. Disputing is a relational expression of displeasure. Both are actions that reveal a spirit of discontent. Those who truly grasp what Jesus did for them will have a hard time being discontented with life. They know they have been given something far beyond anything they could earn.
15a. that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,
People are watching. That’s why Paul wants Christians to be joyful and unified. When we complain all the time, fight all the time, or carry a negative disposition all the time, we give the world an excuse to avoid Christ. Why would anyone want what we have if it makes us miserable all the time? Those who are watching us are far from God. They have bought into a worldview that is crooked and twisted and leads only to death. They desperately need Jesus. Our attitude should leave people with no reason to judge us.
15-16. among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the work of life,
In a world full of darkness, our attitude should brighten the world of everyone around us. We do so by holding fast to the word of life. Holding fast means we don’t change or move when placed under pressure. The word of life is at one level Jesus, and at another level, the Gospel. When our life’s pursuit is to be like Jesus and spread the Gospel, and when we hold fast to that, even thought the world is completely opposed, there will be some who will see the light.
16b. so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
The day of Christ is the end of all things. Paul is looking ahead to that day, knowing that He and the Philippians will be there together. He hopes that their faithfulness will be a reflection of his own faithfulness.
17. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
A drink offering was an ancient practice of emptying a cup of wine or another liquid as a symbol of complete dedication to a cause. Paul was willing to do whatever it took to demonstrate faithfulness to the Philippians, so that they would also be faithful. His words here are a powerful reminder that we are never alone in our faith. Our actions, words, and attitudes impact other believers, either fo good or for bad. Despite his difficult situation, Paul is choosing an attitude that will encourage the Philippians.
18. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Finally, Paul returns to the initial command. This time, he frames it positively. Be glad and rejoice. Do not grumble and dispute. Grumbling is not a necessary response to a bad situation. It is a choice to hold a limited or victim mentality. Even if difficult situations (like Paul’s), we can choose to be glad by choosing a perspective that relies on Jesus Christ’s demonstrated (see verses 6-11) love for us. Knowing that the risen Son of God is in our corner means we never have a valid reason to grumble. It means we can be glad and rejoice regardless of life’s circumstances.
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