Shining as Lights in the Cosmos (Php 2:12.18)

In verses 12-13, Paul urges us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Note: both to will and to work.

Thomas Aquinas points out that verse 13 rules out four errors:

1. that man can be saved without God's help. After all, Paul says "it is God who works in us" – so without God's help, we are literally helpless.

2. that free will is not destroyed by fate ["work out your salvation"]
   you must do that which God calls you to do!!

3. it rejects the idea that whereas the accomplishing comes from God the choice (the willing) comes from us [no, it is God who works in us both to will and to work] – it's not that "we want to" – but we need a little help to make it happen!! We only want to because God himself is at work in us
   both to will and to work

4. it rejects the idea that God rewards us according to our merits –
   [no, it is his good pleasure]

This statement of both divine sovereignty and human responsibility sets up Paul's warning against the perils of grumbling...