Phil 2-12 – Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling – Oh really! Is that so?

Yes that’s how it is? How many of you take this illegitimate translation literally or, to put it another way, take it as read? How many of you have been spiritually abused by the use of this Scripture by ravening wolves in pulpits? Of all the mistranslations in the New Testament, this has to be one of the worst out there, and to date, after 31 years of Bible study, I have found no exception to this statement.

I will first copy the King James Version of this Scripture below, followed by the transliteral version of the original Greek MSS. By doing this I will reveal all the errors in the King James Version and also reveal one error in the Greek MSS translation.

Phil 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyednot as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

As-in addition to loved ones of me according to-as you always obey (hupakouo) not as, as in the other-being of me only but now much rather in the de-being of me with fear (phobos) and trembling the of- I saving himself being-ye-down-acting.

You will notice that I have included the Greek words ‘hupakooo’ Y ‘phobe’ in the Greek version and I will explain the reason for this later. You will also notice that the words ‘exercise’ are not in the Greek version. These words were added by the translators to support their ‘salvation by works’ teaching agenda from their non-gospel. First, however, I want to summarize the setting or times in which the early Christians, including those in Philippi, lived. The first century Christians did not have it. comfortable Y easy peasy as we do in our pampered 21st century Western world, although that is going to change soon, and how? So you better watch out! You have been warned here in the Ezine articles, so be on your guard and learn to be as wise as snakes but as harmless as pigeons. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ instructed in Matthew 10:16.

Unlike many of us, the Christians of the first century had to deal with real persecution, they were the scapegoats of the society of the day. If something went wrong, in Hellenized Roman society, which was riddled with pagan superstitions and paranoia, then Christian “troublemakers” were the first port of call for the angry provoked local mob and/or Roman authorities. These angry mobs were frequently egged on and encouraged by local Pharisees and/or Canaanite Jewish religious leaders. These were very scary times for Christians, especially those new to the faith. Paul’s visits, therefore, were always welcome because he was a tower of spiritual strength, support and encouragement to these brothers and sisters in Christ and this is the reality of the situation in Philippi as recorded in Phil 2:12 . Now notice, carefully, these Scriptures also from Philippians in chapter 1:

Philippians 1:28-29 and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is for them an evident sign of perdition, but for you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For it is given to you in the name of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.

Here in the above verses we can see Paul encouraging them not to be afraid of their adversaries. OK, so what is the point I am making here? The point I am making is the blasphemous way that the ravening wolves in the pulpits use Phil 2:12 to instill the fear of God in their communities. This is a fear that should not exist, and yet it exists because of the erroneous teaching of the aforementioned ravening wolves regarding this verse. So what’s wrong with the translation of this verse? Pretty good everything is the answer to that? First we have the word ‘obey’ translated from the Greek word ‘hupakooo’ and I will copy here Strong’s comments on this word:

From G5259 and G191; a hear under (as a subordinate), that’s for listen Sincerely; by implication to head Prayed obedient to a mandate or authority: – listen, be obedient, obey.

In almost every case when the words ‘obey’, ‘obedience’ and ‘obedience’ are used in the New Testament they are a mistranslation and the above usage in Philippians 2:12 is no exception. We must understand that the followers of Yashua Anointed (The Lord Jesus Christ) do so willingly, they follow him willingly and willingly – obedience is not required. The followers of Yashua Anointed (the Lord Jesus Christ) also ‘listen or listen attentively’, which is the true meaning of ‘hupakouo’. Why do they listen or listen carefully, is it because they have to or because they want to!!??

Luke 10:39 And she had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the feet of Jesus, hearing His Word (listening attentively). (mine in parentheses)

Now here is a critical question: Was Mary at Jesus’ feet because He told her to sit there or because she willingly and willingly wanted to sit there? Was there an inner desire to listen to Yashua Anointed (The Lord Jesus) or did the local Pharisee come up and order him to do so? Can you now see the blasphemy in the use of the word ‘obey’? I hope so, because that’s what it is.

As a final point, as I want to continue, you’ll notice that Strong puts “as a subordinate” in parentheses, which means he thinks it’s a military-style arrangement “Yes, sir” – “No, sir – three bags full, sir.” . This is just a personal misinterpretation and the brackets are entirely your own. He also states: “by share a head Prayed obedient to an order or authority: – listen, be obedient to, obey”. To be fair, he says it is implied, but for what reasons? Unfortunately, for self-righteous reasons, its implied meaning is unfunny nonsense and pure legalism of the Old Covenant We serve Yashua Anointed (The Lord Jesus Christ) because we want to, not because we have to, if we think that ‘we have to’, we have a serious problem and NASA will not be able to help you out of it either.

Okay, back to the verse in question: Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. If, as Christians, we do not live in a world of persecution, what are we supposed to tremble in fear of? Many of God’s so-called ministers teach that we must work out our own salvation and fear God and tremble with fear at the same time. Don’t mess with these attacks on the Bible fundies Hey? They know what’s what and they let you have it, right between the eyes. Not literally, of course, but it could also be. Then we have the other variety of ‘minister’, you know, those more liberal ‘sensitive types’ who will try to explain this verse so as not to scare you. They do this by saying, “Oh, to fear God means to revere and respect him; stand in awe of him in a fearful way.” Total bunkum and hoax in this case! This is why I quoted the Greek word ‘phobos’ next to fear in the MSS Greek translation. Of ‘phobe’ we get the English word ‘phobia’ which means to be afraid of something. Then we get to cringe at the word fear, so Paul isn’t being ambiguous here in this verse, he’s definitely talking about being very scared.

However, afraid of what? Well, we know, right? I have already explained why these Christians trembled with fear: persecution, possible torture, and death. Those were bad times in which this faithful people lived. Now let’s analyze this verse properly. Paul is emphasizing something else here in this verse that is easily overlooked. If we keep our minds on the backdrop of the persecution and read these words again, “not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence”, now we can begin to see that the emphasis shifts to the right topic. Paul pleaded with them not to lose faith in these difficult and terrible times, especially in his absence or without him being there to strengthen and encourage them. Then add, and I’ll switch to Greek MSS for this part once again: “with fear (phobos) and trembling the de-yos saving being-ye-down-acting”. The term ‘be-ye-down-acting’ means to continue, accomplish or finish, so Paul here is confirming what I have already said. This verse is about not giving up under immense life-threatening pressure and fear. It is an exhortation to be brave and endure in a period of severe trials or suffering. This verse has nothing to do with being afraid of God. It also has nothing to do with our working out our own salvation because salvation is a free gift from God and was ‘earned’ for us on the cross. Our works have nothing to do with it.

Please see my articles: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith; and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8” and “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ – His true grace – Not the Half Baked Religious Version” for a complete understanding of salvation and faith.