All the way back in Exodus, right after the people of Israel worshipped the golden calf, God announced his name:

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6–7, ESV)

For those golden-calf-worshiping rebels, questions about God were paramount: Will he destroy us? Will his wrath consume us? Might he forgive us? Could he have mercy? Can we be redeemed? What is he like? These were life and death questions, but they were not questions the people were equipped to answer. God had to speak, and because he did, and then behaved in accordance with his revealed nature and word, they survived (and thrived). Exodus 34:6-7 is the most cited passage in the Bible—other books of the Bible refer to it around thirty times. It's as if the other biblical authors knew people wondered what God is like and had a handy reference in Exodus 34:6-7.

But even that Mt. Sinai in-breaking of God's name and nature does not give us the best picture of who God is. For that, we must turn to the ultimate overflow of God's divine love, the incarnation and death of Jesus. He came as "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" (Heb. 12:2). And when Paul described him here in Philippians, he sang a song of Christ emptying himself for us to the point of death on the cross (Phil. 2:6-7). The astounding, revolutionary, humble, and selfless life and death of Jesus is the most magnificent portrayal of God's nature. At the cross, Jesus radiated the glory of God and was the exact imprint of his nature. He was showing what it means for the Lord to be a "God gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." He was living out God's name as the one who "keeps steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin." On the cross, he "by no means cleared the guilty"—we are accountable for our sins, but if God's judgment is three or four generations long, his steadfast love is available for thousands (of generations) by his precious blood.

So there is the Lord, the God of Sinai, declaring himself. And there is God, Jesus Christ the Son, shining even brighter, declaring God. And now, at the center of the next paragraph in Philippians, we learn we should also shine as light in the world, in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation (2:15). Paul's concept that Philippians should shine brightly in Philippi is not hard to trace: The love of God overflowed into the incarnation of the Son of God. Jesus came and gave us the clearest and brightest representation of God's nature. Now, we must also make God known through the way we love one another and our world. In other words, an advancing gospel community breaks into darkness and radiates Jesus' nature, which is God's nature, to their world and time. To put it another way, when Jesus came, he said, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12, 9:5). But he went on to tell his people, "You are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14). What does this mean? It means that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection shined the light on God's nature and plans, and as recipients of his gospel, we are to continue his shining work.

Let's turn to our passage to learn how we do this illuminating work and how we break into darkness.

1. By Participating in Salvation (2:12-15)

12 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, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 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... (Philippians 2:12-15)

The reason people freak out about this exhortation from Paul is because of the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone, a doctrine Paul, in particular, championed so well in his writings. Then he comes along and tells the Philippians to work out their own salvation (2:12). On the surface, it doesn't sound Pauline or even biblical. It is appropriate for us to conclude he means something like live out or live from your salvation, but the words Paul used cannot be translated that way. He said, "Work out—cause a state or condition, bring about, produce—your own salvation."

Again, Paul did not have a doctrinal brain fart that caused him to backtrack on the gospel or Abrahamic faith (Abraham believed, and it was counted to him for righteousness) for that matter. He does not think we can earn our salvation—that's an oxymoron: the word salvation means "rescue," implying that we needed someone else to rescue us. Jesus is that rescue. What Paul means is that we should reflect, live out, and display God's saving power through the way we live. We are to shine as lights in the world by living out the radical salvation Christ won for us.

One illustration from Scripture that has helped me understand this sanctification process is the conquest episodes of the Old Testament. God had promised the land to his people. It was theirs. But they were still called to go into the land and take it. Every place the sole of their foot touched became theirs. It was theirs, but it became theirs. And as they moved from place to place with Joshua, God, just as he had promised, went with them. He worked in them, both to will and to work for his good pleasure so that when they took the land, they knew it was by God's strength (2:13). And when Christ, the new Joshua, comes into our lives, he wins the total victory. The land is his. But as we join with him in working out our own salvation, we experience more of that victory. Victory is ours, but has victory become ours?

Paul sees this sanctifying work being done with God (it is God who works in you, 2:13) and for God (for his good pleasure, 2:13). Paul does not tell us to work out our salvation because God has done his bit and now it's all up to us. Nor does Paul tell us that we only need to "let go and let God" because God does everything. Instead, he tells them that God will synergistically work with us as we work out our salvation for him.

One episode from Jesus' life illustrates the synergistic process of sanctification well. One Sabbath, in the Capernaum synagogue, there was a man with a deformed hand at the gathering. The religious leaders there that day thought it improper for Jesus to heal on the Sabbath day, so Jesus toyed with them a little—when he saw the man he told him to stretch out his hand (Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11). This, of course, required an act of faith—he had to respond, trusting that Christ could make the impossible happen, but as the strength of his will attempted to stretch out his hand, the power of God met him, and he was healed! Sanctification works the same way. As Christ calls us to obedience, it often feels uncomfortable, even vulnerable. Yet, as we respond in faith, his power meets our surrender, and over time, what was once withered grows whole and strong. His power and might synergize with our limited energy, and we are changed!

And just in case we think God is only interested in or capable of surface-level transformation, Paul went on to exhort them to do all things without grumbling or disputing (2:14). It's like Paul is pointing out just how deep God's salvation goes—all the way to the inner workings and attitudes of our hearts. Just as a flood-damaged house needs all the wood rot removed, participating in our salvation can lead all the way down to the studs of who we are, changing and transforming even the feelings and attitudes that are reflexive to us.

Personal and Collective

I would like to point out, however, in this passage, that Paul probably isn't as focused on your individual salvation as you are. The whole letter to the Philippians is community-oriented, a churchwide message exhorting them to remain the advancing gospel community they were meant to be. He has told the Philippians to "live in a manner worthy of the gospel" by practicing spiritual oneness as a congregation, "with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27). He told them to consider others more significant than themselves (Phil. 2:5). And now he tells them to work out their own salvation without grumbling or complaining—it's language taken straight outta Exodus when the congregation of Isreal complained and grumbled against Moses and Yahweh (Phil. 2:12, 14).

So, of course, working out our own salvation is an intensely personal experience. It has to be. But Paul is also highlighting the beauty of living this way collectively. In other words, sanctification or spiritual growth, especially when it comes to taking the gospel mission seriously, is a community-wide effort. Imagine a church unified in purpose, like a team of musicians in an orchestra. Each instrument brings its own sound and beauty to the symphony, but no single instrument could create the full richness of the music alone. When each member plays their part, listening to each other and harmonizing in tempo and tone, the music rises, becoming something greater than the sum of its parts. Conversely, when one member goes off script and decides to play a different song, refusing to work out their own salvation, it is a shock to the music. In the same way, when believers work out their salvation together, they end up shining as lights together.

2. By Holding the Word of Life (2:16-18)

16 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. 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. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:16-18)

We also break into darkness by holding fast to the word of life (2:16). For this exhortation, we need to ask a few questions. First, what is the word of life? In the setting of Philippians, it is more than just the Bible, but the gospel message, which brings life, that we find in the Bible.

But what does it mean to hold fast to the word of life? The words Paul used for holding fast could mean "grip onto," but they could also mean "hold out." Does Paul want them to grip onto the word of life or hold out the word of life? Whatever it means to whole fast to the word of life, Paul felt his whole imprisonment—and even death—would be worth it if the Philippians did it. And in the context of this letter, a letter where Paul expressed constant gratitude for their past partnership in gospel expansion, Paul seems to be urging them to maintain unity and act like Jesus so that others can know him. So it seems to me that Paul wants the Philippians to keep a firm grip on the gospel (hold it close) so they could offer it to their community (hold it out).

It is all too easy to become unmoored and unanchored from the reality that the gospel is the hope of the world. Paul wanted the Philippians to shine brightly into the darkness by holding onto and holding out the gospel truth, the word of life, but in the chaotic waters of everyday life, it is common for us to cease holding out the cross of Christ to others or even to ourselves. Soon, other messages fill the space the gospel used to occupy, and our remedies for ourselves and our world fall short.

It reminds me of a story for 2 Kings. Israel's Northern Kingdom was under attack from the Syrians, and they laid siege against the capital city of Samaria. As the Syrian army encamped against Samaria, a terrible famine resulted within the city walls. Elisha, the prophet, came along and, seeing the misery of the people, predicted they'd have food in abundance within twenty-four hours. It was hard to believe him, but the next night, unbeknownst to the Israelites, the Lord had made the Syrian army hear the sounds of a massive invading force, and the Syrians retreated in fear, leaving behind all their store of food. In the morning, at the city gates, a handful of lepers decided to go ask the Syrian army for food. They knew there was no food in the city, so they were about to die anyhow. What was the worst that could happen? But when they arrived at the vacated camp, they realized their fortune and quickly began stockpiling for themselves. Then, amid all the food and drink and silver and gold and clothing left behind by the Syrians, they said to one another:

“We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king’s household.” (2 Kings 7:9, ESV)

What did these leprous beggars need to do? They needed to hold out the word of life to their community. They had no right to hoard it for themselves. So they went back into town and shared the word, and a stampede of people ran out to the camp to partake of God's provision. And we, as believers, must do the same. We have the glorious feast of the gospel, and we must be willing to share it with our world.

“Christians should see themselves as sharing the church’s calling to make Christ known with a discipling purpose as far and as wide as we can. We are all called to trust, love, honor, worship, and serve Christ, and to practice neighbor-love in all its forms, of which evangelism is one. The church everywhere is called to be a missional community as well as a doxological one, and all Christians are called to pull their weight in both aspects of its ongoing life.” (J.I. Packer, Weakness Is the Way, Location 352)

3. By Pursuing Jesus' Interests (2:19-24)

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. (Philippians 2:19-24)

At this point, Paul turns his attention to a gospel coworker who had successfully shined as a bright light wherever he went. Timothy had been with Paul in many contexts, including Philippi. He was younger than Paul, so Paul considered him his son in the faith (2:22, see also 1 Cor. 4:17, 2 Tim. 1:2). Two New Testament letters from Paul were addressed to this young pastor, and even though he was young, battled an illness of some kind, and struggled with fear, God used his life in marvelous ways. And Paul believed in him.

Here, Paul tells the Philippians he hopes to send Timothy to them sometime soon so that Timothy can bring back news of the Philippians' progress (2:19). Knowing Timothy could come at any time would have helped the Philippians take their spiritual progress more seriously. Paul knew Timothy would be genuinely concerned for their spiritual welfare and not only bring Paul news about the Philippians but would pour his life into them to help them get back on track (2:19, 23).

The reason Paul felt so confident in TImothy's skills is found at the center of his stated hope to send Timothy. Paul said he had no one like Timothy—others (they all) sought their own interests, but Timothy sought the interests of Jesus Christ (2:20-21).

So here we have this man who had clearly shined as a light into the darkness, and what was his paramount attribute? He cared deeply for what Jesus cared about. Again, Jesus reflects the very heart of God, so Timothy reflected the interests of God. The Trinity overflowed in love through the Son and his cross, and Timothy received that love and now overflowed to his world with the love of Jesus. As Timothy emptied himself for others, including the Philippians, he imitated Jesus and emptied himself out for us.

The more our wills and priorities are aligned with King Jesus' interests, the more we will shine as lights in the darkness. This really is the aim of being sanctified: being conformed to the image of God's Son (Rom. 8:29, 2 Cor. 3:18). The more we think and act like Jesus, valuing what he values and being passionate about what he is passionate about, the better our light shines.

So what are Jesus' interests? By looking at what Paul said about Timothy and what he said a bit earlier about Jesus, it appears the interests of Jesus are:

1. The spiritual well-being of the Philippian believers: Jesus desires that his followers grow in faith, love, and obedience, becoming more like him in character (John 17:17, 1 Thess. 5:23). Timothy exemplifies this by being “genuinely concerned” for the Philippians’ spiritual welfare, reflecting Jesus’ interest in the church’s maturity (Phil. 2:20).
2. The advancement of the gospel in Philippi and beyond: Jesus’ ultimate mission was to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). His interests, therefore, include the spread of the gospel to those who have not yet heard or believed. Paul’s mission and Timothy’s role as his co-laborer highlight this gospel-centered focus, as both were dedicated to proclaiming Christ (Phil. 1:18, 2 Tim. 4:5).

With that as our answer, how can we seek the interests of Christ?

• Pursue personal growth.
• Engage in Christian community.
• Find ways to serve.
• Financially invest in the kingdom.
• Invest in the spiritual growth of others.
• Look for opportunities to engage with others.

4. By Celebrating When Others Shine (2:25-30)

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. (Philippians 2:25-30)

There are many things we don't know about Epaphroditus, but what we do know is that Paul thought highly of him (2:25). He was Paul's coworker for Jesus there in Rome—Paul called him his brother, fellow worker, and fellow solider (2:25). He was the Philippians' ambassador—Paul said he was their messenger and minister to Paul's need (2:25). In other words, he was from the Philippian church, sent by the Philippians to care for Paul in his imprisonment. We learn later he brought a financial gift from them to Paul (Phil. 4:18). But, apparently, he became ill while he was with Paul, to the point he was near death (2:27). God had mercy on him, but it appears to have made Paul eager to send Epaphroditus home because he was so anxious about him (2:28).

And send him he did. Paul prepared the way for Epaphroditus' return to Philippi by exhorting the Philippians to receive him in the Lord with all joy and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ (2:29-30). It appears they had sent Epaphroditus to be of service to Paul on their behalf, and now he's home again, and Paul didn't want them to be disappointed with Epaphroditus for returning so early from Rome. Instead, Paul wanted them to celebrate this man who so clearly shined the selfless love of Christ to Paul. In fact, Paul wanted them to always celebrate people like Epaphroditus, people who selflessly care for others in imitation of Christ, so he told them to honor such men (2:29).

An advancing gospel community breaks into darkness by celebrating when others shine. When people like Epaphroditus become our heroes, we stand a better chance of shining in like manner. Paul wanted this man to be welcomed home like a military hero who risked life and limb for others. This fellow soldier had done his job, and Paul wanted them to celebrate and honor this man. And as this letter was read out loud in the congregation, I imagine the Philippian church beginning to stir. Epaphroditus! You ran well, brother. You did what none of us did. You laid down your life for Paul on our behalf. You supported our gospel contact there in Rome. You became sick to the point of death as a result. But you kept going, and it was only the apostolic word that forced you to come home! We love and appreciate you. And I imagine Epaprhoditus' heart being lifted, but the value system of the entire congregation. They would want to shine as he did.

So what does this passage say to us today? People still wonder what God is like. Just as they did at the base of Mt. Sinai, people wonder what kind of God has made them. As they observe nature and feel their own pangs of conscience, there is a whisper from heaven, drawing them, driving them to feel their way to God (Acts 17:27). What do they need? They need more than what they find in nature and conscience, they need the truth of the word, the pinnacle of which is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

People need Jesus, because that is what God is like, so we must:

• Participate in our salvation.
• Hold fast the word of life.
• Prioritize Christ's interests.
• And honor others who do the same.

Study Questions

Head (Knowledge, Facts, Understanding):

1. What does Paul mean when he says to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” in Philippians 2:12?
2. How does Paul describe his ministry in this passage, specifically regarding the imagery of a drink offering, labor, and running?
3. What does “holding fast to the word of life” (Philippians 2:16) mean in the context of this passage?

Heart (Feelings, Impressions, Desires):

4. How does Paul’s willingness to be “poured out” challenge or inspire your view of serving others?
5. In what ways does the imagery of “light in a dark world” resonate with you personally as a believer in today’s world?
6. When you consider Paul’s encouragement to “do all things without grumbling or disputing,” what feelings or thoughts arise in your own heart?

Hands (Actions, Commitments, Decisions, Beliefs):

7. How can you actively “hold fast” to the word of life in your daily life this week?
8. In what specific ways can you work to reflect the mindset of self-sacrifice and service that Paul models in this passage?
9. As Paul urged the Philippians to shine as lights in their generation, how can you help foster a similar light-bearing influence within your community or workplace?