12 So then , my beloved , just as you have always obeyed , not as in my presence only , but now much more in my absence , work out your salvation with fear and trembling ; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure .
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing ; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent , children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation , among whom you appear as lights in the world , 16 holding fast the word of life , so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain . 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith , I rejoice and share my joy with you all . 18 You too , I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly , so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition e . 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare . 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus . 22 But you know of his proven worth , that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father . 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately , as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly . 25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus , my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier , who is also your messenger and minister to my need ; 26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick . 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death , but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so e that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow . 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. 29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy , and hold men like him in high regard ; 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ , risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Philippians 2:12-30
Commentary on Philippians 2:12-18
(Read Philippians 2:12-18)
We must be diligent in the use of all the means which lead to our salvation, persevering therein to the end. With great care, lest, with all our advantages, we should come short. Work out your salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. This encourages us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain: we must still depend on the grace of God. The working of God's grace in us, is to quicken and engage our endeavours. God's good-will to us, is the cause of his good work in us. Do your duty without murmurings. Do it, and do not find fault with it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it. By peaceableness; give no just occasion of offence. The children of God should differ from the sons of men. The more perverse others are, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless and harmless. The doctrine and example of consistent believers will enlighten others, and direct their way to Christ and holiness, even as the light-house warns mariners to avoid rocks, and directs their course into the harbour. Let us try thus to shine. The gospel is the word of life, it makes known to us eternal life through Jesus Christ. Running, denotes earnestness and vigour, continual pressing forward; labouring, denotes constancy, and close application. It is the will of God that believers should be much in rejoicing; and those who are so happy as to have good ministers, have great reason to rejoice with them.
Commentary on Philippians 2:19-30
(Read Philippians 2:19-30)
It is best with us, when our duty becomes natural to us. Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only; with a willing heart and upright views. We are apt to prefer our own credit, ease, and safety, before truth, holiness, and duty; but Timothy did not so. Paul desired liberty, not that he might take pleasure, but that he might do good. Epaphroditus was willing to go to the Philippians, that he might be comforted with those who had sorrowed for him when he was sick. It seems, his illness was caused by the work of God. The apostle urges them to love him the more on that account. It is doubly pleasant to have our mercies restored by God, after great danger of their removal; and this should make them more valued. What is given in answer to prayer, should be received with great thankfulness and joy.