2:12
Now some people (theologians mostly!) so seem to get their knickers in a twist over the two verses 12 and 13. Their concern is Paul’s use of the phrase “work out your salvation”, and their fear that Paul is promoting some form of works salvation, which would be at odds with much of what he says elsewhere. Such fears are utterly unfounded, and I cannot see what the problem is. First, Paul wasn’t stupid, and there is no way he would be advocating any form of works salvation. Perhaps more importantly, it demonstrates a serious misunderstanding of what salvation means. It does not mean simply that we are forgiven. Forgiveness is obviously essential for we have much that needs to be forgiven, and continue to accumulate more! However, it is not just about what we have been saved from, but what we are saved to. Our salvation involves us becoming more and more like Christ. Moreover, a good general principle is that when God works, we work. We find this pattern many times in the Bible. God makes us responsible and active human beings. Because of our fallen nature a lot of that responsibility is directed towards sinful pursuits, but in Christ that changes. So we are to direct ourselves towards realising the fruit of salvation, which is ever increasing Christlikeness.
Paul had observed them doing this while he was with them, but urges them to do it all the more in his absence. This verse also supports the contention that 2:5-11 is given as an encouragement to act like Christ.
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