Philippians 2:12-13

"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12-13)

 

In this passage with an unusual play on words, we are told to give our salvation a "workout." The Greek word is katergazomai, an interesting compound word that means to "perform." When we are told that God is working in us, the Greek word is energeo, which is the "energy" to do work.

 

Paul puts it this way: "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh |energeo| in us". This "energizing" is an internal and spiritual resource, demonstrated most poignantly by "the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working |energeo| of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead". Since the energy to produce comes from the same Creator who saved us by grace, He has every right to expect us to "will and to do of his good pleasure."