Matthew Poole and continuators on Philippians 2:12

12 Wherefore my beloved as ye have always obeyed , not as in my presence onely, but now much more in my absence ; work out your own salvation , with fear, and trembling .

Having confirmed the example of Christ's admirable Condescension, and affection from the glorious issue of it, he doth here reassume his exhortation, with a friendly compellation.

Commending their former sincere endeavours to obey the Gospel (so, c. 1.5. & v. 15. of this) in following Christ, Mat. 11.28. and moving them to persevere in obedience and love to God, and Man.

That it might be evident whether the Eye of their Pastour were upon them or no, a prevailing love to Christ, and their own Souls welfare, was prevalent with them, but especially being he was now detain'd from them, and might be jealous of some defects in them, Iam. 3.2. 1 Ioh. 1.8. did engage them more than any thing to embrace his Exhortation, which he enlargeth in other words.

He moves them as Saints, c. 1.1. in whom God would perfect his work, begun, v. 6. having given to them to believe and suffer, v. 29. that they would seriously and earnestly busie themselves in those things, which on their parts are necessary to Salvation as, Ioh. 6.27. Heb. 6.9. and without which it cannot be had as, c. 1.10. Mat. 24.13. Col. 3.10, 12, &c. 1 Tim. 1.18, 19. & 6.19. 2 Tim. 2.5. & 4.7, 8. 2 Pet. 3.17. yea press on in the way to their own Salvation, (as he mov'd, 1 Tim. 4.16.) not that they should not be solicitous about others, for that mutual care is imply'd as elsewhere requir'd, Heb. 3.13. & 10.24. but that every one should strenuously go on towards the mark with a special regard to himself, and the Temptations, he may meet with, knowing he must bear his own burthen, Gal. 6.1, 3. and therefore should take heed lest he fall. The Papists arguings hence that our actions are efficient and meritorious causes of Salvation, are altogether inconsequent. For the Apostle doth not say our actions work out Salvation, but work ye out your own Salvation, which is much different. 'Twere absurd to say because the Iews were enjoyn'd to eat the Passover with Loins girt, that Loins girt were eating of the Passover. Indeed what the Papists urge is contrary to this Doctrine of Paul, who doth elsewhere place blessedness in remission of Sins, and shews eternal life, is the gift of God, Rom. 4.6, 7. & 6.23. and we are sav'd by grace not of works, Rom. 3.20, 24.25. & 4.16. Eph. 2.8. Tit. 3.5. and contrary to the main scope of the Apostle, which is to beat down pride, and conceit of deserving, and perswade to humility, he drives at this, that we should not be idle or lazie in the business of Salvation, but work together with God, (yet as instruments in whom there is no strength which is not deriv'd from him) that we may evidence we do not receive his grace in vain, 2 Cor. 6.1, 2. But this co-operation doth not respect the acquiring or meriting of Salvation which is proper to Christ alone, and incommunicable to any others, Act. 4.12. who cannot be said to be their own Saviours: this Co-operation or working out respects onely the application, not the performing of the payment, which Christ hath abundantly perfected: but the embracing of the perfect payment, is not that which can be the cause and foundation of right for which it is deservedly confer'd: but onely the way and means by which we come to partake of Salvation.

i. e. with an holy care to doe all acceptably; he doth by these two words mean not any servile fear and slavish despondence arising from doubting, c. 4.4. but onely a serious filial fear implying a deep humility and submissiveness of mind, with a reverential awe of the divine Majesty and a solicitude, to avoid that evil which is offensive to him and separates from him. We find these words used to the like import, Psal. 2.11. Dan. 5.19. & 6.26. Rom. 11.20. with 1 Cor. 2.3. & 2 Cor. 7.5. Eph. 6.5. connoting that after the example of Christ, we should be humble, and though we distrust in our selves, yet we are to trust solely to God, (as an infant may be affraid and cling yet fast to, and depend upon, begging help of the parent going over a dangerous precipice) for the acomplishment of our Salvation.