LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for March 27: Light up the world

The week’s passage begins with one of the great admonitions in Paul’s letters: to work out one’s salvation. The challenge flows into further exhortations to shine as God’s holy and pure people. The passage ends with Paul’s promises of ministry attention from Timothy and Epaphroditus, whom we are to understand as examples of selfless service.

Work out (Philippians 2:12-13)

This paragraph opens with “therefore.” A second application of the command in 1:27 (“Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel”) has arrived. Verses 2:1-11 applied the command by appealing to the servant attitude of Jesus.

Reading 2:12 (“Continue to work out your salvation”) right after 1:27 helps to clarify the present passage. Working out one’s salvation is an essential way to operate in a manner worthy of the gospel.

Verses 12-13 do not get the attention they should, despite carrying the force of a command. For centuries, many have feared that “working out” one’s salvation sounds too much like “working for” one’s salvation. Such fear is unfounded. Paul clearly stated his doctrine of salvation in Ephesians 2:8-10—believers are saved by God’s grace through faith. The message here is believers must be actively involved in the process of salvation God has started in their lives. The word “work” signifies the effort required by believers.

The image compares to a patient carefully cooperating with a doctor’s orders. Patients must “do” more than wait to be healed. They must assist the healing process by carrying out the doctor’s instructions. Similarly, believers must cooperate with God’s work of salvation in their lives by living according to God’s will, purpose and ethics (v. 13).

Because God is present in this saving activity, believers must cooperate with “fear and trembling.” The concept of fearing God has an extensive background in Old Testament (see, for example, Deuteronomy 10:12; Psalms 25:12; Proverbs 9:10) and refers to the motivation and commitment to serve him wholeheartedly.

Shine brightly (Philippians 2:14-18)

Believers who cooperate with God’s saving activity shine (v. 15) as examples of God’s great transformational work. Shining light often symbolizes holiness in the Old Testament. Proverbs 13:2 has an interesting observation similar to Paul’s statement about believers lives shining among the people around them.

Blamelessness, purity and faultlessness are qualities Paul encouraged his readers to exhibit in their lives (v. 15). The opposites to these traits are grumbling and arguing (v. 14), which character redeemed from Egypt. Though they saw God’s miraculous activity, they were an uncooperative, grumbling people. They died in the wilderness, never experiencing the fullness of God’s promises.

In contrast, Paul desired his people to “hold firmly to the word of life,” which is the gospel, God’s life-transforming message. The signs of “holding” to the word of life are the reader’s holy lives which shine among others. Their shining is meant not as a status symbol. Their shining like stars is designed to draw others to Christ. All activity in the Christian life derived from our overriding responsibility to serve the gospel and to live in a manner worthy of it.

Show concern (Philippians 2:19-24)

Paul lived worthy of the gospel by showing fatherly concern for the Philippians. He couldn’t be present, so he would send Timothy. Timothy was Paul’s most highly esteemed associate. He worked with Paul as a son works with his father (v. 22), a common image in the ancient agrarian world. The Philippians knew Timothy, who was Paul’s newest associate when their church was founded.

Since then, Timothy’s ministry skills had increasedgreatly. When the letter to the Philippians was written, Timothy was the apostolic representative and leader of the Ephesian church. It would be an easy journey for Timothy to visit the Philippian church.

Paul had magnanimous concern for his readers. Just as the Philippian church sent support to him, he would also provide them support. God’s kingdom provides care for all participants, whether leaders or congregants. Support, encouragement and exhortation abounds for all. One is not meant only to serve while the other only receives. Mutual service deriving from genuine concern for each other is the intended hallmark of the way of Christ.

Serve regardless (Philippians 2:25-30)

Epaphroditus conveyed the Philippians’ concern for Paul, carrying their financial support and encouragement to him. Remarkably, Epaphroditus persisted in his mission, nearly dying in the process. Apart from this passage, we would have known nothing of his sacrifice.

Epaphroditus presents an excellent demonstration of a life and service worthy of the gospel. Victory resulted from his determined service—a kingdom feat worthy of honor (v. 29). In fact, Epaphroditus accomplished what the Philippians could not do (or were “lacking”): he came into Paul’s presence to minister and encourage. Paul’s comment about the Philippians’ “lacking” is not meant to diminish their efforts, but to point out that Epaphroditus completed what the congregation could not do—go minister to Paul.

Serving the cause of the gospel regardless of one’s circumstances derives from high character. Epaphroditus is a shining example of this trait, as are Paul, Timothy and countless others, many anonymous to us, down through the ages. Through this type of service, God desires to “light up the world” with those who shine forth with lives transformed by his power.