TRV
Translation
King James Version
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Complete Jewish Bible
for God is the one working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases him.
Berean Standard Bible
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
American Standard Version
for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
World English Bible Messianic
For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For it is God which worketh in you, both the will and the deede, euen of his good pleasure.
Young's Literal Translation
for God it is who is working in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
See also
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In the KJVVerse 29,405 of 31,102
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Commentary on Philippians 2 verses 12–13
12 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
I. He exhorts them to diligence and seriousness in the Christian course: Work out your own salvation. It is the salvation of our souls (Pe1 1:9), and our eternal salvation (Heb 5:9), and contains deliverance from all the evils sin had brought upon us and exposed us to, and the possession of all good and whatsoever is necessary to our complete and final happiness. Observe, It concerns us above all things to secure the welfare of our souls: whatever becomes of other things, let us take care of our best interests. It is our own salvation, the salvation of our own souls. It is not for us to judge other people; we have enough to do to look to ourselves; and, though we must promote the common salvation (Jde 1:3) as much as we can, yet we must upon no account neglect our own. We are required to work out our salvation, katergazesthe. The word signifies working thoroughly at a thing, and taking true pains. Observe, We must be diligent in the use of all the means which conduce to our salvation. We must not only work at our salvation, by doing something now and then about it; but we must work out our salvation, by doing all that is to be done, and persevering therein to the end. Salvation is the great thing we should mind, and set our hearts upon; and we cannot attain salvation without the utmost care and diligence. He adds, With fear and trembling, that is, with great care and circumspection: "Trembling for fear lest you miscarry and come short. Be careful to do every thing in religion in the best manner, and fear lest under all your advantages you should so much as seem to come short," Heb 4:1. Fear is a great guard and preservative from evil.
II. He urges this from the consideration of their readiness always to obey the gospel: "As you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, Phi 2:12. You have been always willing to comply with every discovery of the will of God; and that in my absence as well as presence. You make it to appear that regard to Christ, and care of your souls, sway more with you than any mode of showing respect whatsoever." They were not merely awed by the apostle's presence, but did it even much more in his absence. "And because it is God who worketh in you, do you work out your salvation. Work, for he worketh." It should encourage us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain. God is ready to concur with his grace, and assist our faithful endeavours. Observe, Though we must use our utmost endeavours in working out our salvation, yet still we must go forth, and go on, in a dependence upon the grace of God. His grace works in us in a way suitable to our natures, and in concurrence with our endeavours; and the operations of God's grace in us are so far from excusing, that they are intended to quicken and engage our endeavours. "And work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for he worketh in you." All our working depends upon his working in us. "Do not trifle with God by neglects and delays, lest you provoke him to withdraw his help, and all your endeavours prove in vain. Work with fear, for he works of his good pleasure." - To will and to do: he gives the whole ability. It is the grace of God which inclines the will to that which is good: and then enables us to perform it, and to act according to our principles. Thou hast wrought all our works in us, Isa 26:12. Of his good pleasure. As there is no strength in us, so there is no merit in us. As we cannot act without God's grace, so we cannot claim it, nor pretend to deserve it. God's good will to us is the cause of his good work in us; and he is under no engagements to his creatures, but those of his gracious promise.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–13. Public domain.
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Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
ON FIRST PRINCIPLES 3.1.19
Some say, “If willing is from God and working is from God, then whether we will evil or do evil, that is from God, and in that case we have not free will.” … To this one must reply that the apostle’s words do not mean that willing evil is from God or that willing good is from God, and likewise with our working well or ill. Rather it is willing in general and performance in general. For just as our being animals and our being human are things we have from God, so is willing in general as, so to speak, is motion in general.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Philippians 8
"For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to work." "If He does Himself work in us to will, how dost thou exhort us? for if He works Himself even the will, the words, which you speak to us, have no meaning, 'that ye have obeyed'; for we have not 'obeyed'; it is without meaning that thou sayest, 'with fear and trembling'; for the whole is of God." It was not for this that I said to you, "for it is He that worketh in you both to will and to work," but my object was to relieve your anxiety. If thou wilt, in that case He will "work in thee to will." Be not affrighted, thou art not worsted; both the hearty desire and the accomplishment are a gift from Him: for where we have the will, thenceforward He will increase our will. For instance, I desire to do some good work: He has wrought the good work itself, and by means of it He has wrought also the will. Or he says this in the excess of his piety, as when he declares that our well-doings are gifts of grace.
As then, when he calls these gifts, he does not put us out of the pale of free will, but accords to us free will, so when he says, "to work in us to will," he does not deprive us of free will, but he shows that by actually doing right we greatly increase our heartiness in willing. For as doing comes of doing, so of not doing comes not doing. Hast thou given an alms? thou art the more incited to give. Hast thou refused to give? thou art become so much the more disinclined. Hast thou practiced temperance for one day? Thou hast an incitement for the next likewise. Hast thou indulged to excess? Thou hast increased the inclination to self-indulgence. "When a wicked man cometh into the depth of vice, then he despises." As, then, when a man cometh into the depth of iniquity, he turns a despiser; so when he cometh into the depth of goodness, he quickens his exertions. For as the one runs riot in despair, so the second, under a sense of the multitude of good things, exerts himself the more, fearing lest he should lose the whole. "For His good pleasure," he says, that is, "for love's sake," for the sake of pleasing Him; to the end that what is acceptable to Him may take place; that things may take place according to His will. Here he shows, and makes it a ground of confidence, that He is sure to work in us, for it is His will that we live as He desires we should, and if He desires it, He Himself both worketh in us to this end, and will certainly accomplish it; for it is His will that we live aright. Seest thou, how he does not deprive us of free will?
Augustine of HippoAD 430
ON GRACE AND FREE WILL 32
It is certain that when we do a deed the deed is ours; but he is the one who makes us do the deed by giving us strength fully sufficient to carry out our will.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
ON TWO LETTERS OF PELAGIUS 1.36
It is not in God’s power that anyone should be forced against his will to do evil or good but that he should go to the bad, according to his own deserts, when God abandons him. For a person is not good if he does not will it, but the grace of God assists him even in willing. It is not without cause that it is written, “God is the one who works in you to will and do, of his own good will.”
Augustine of HippoAD 430
ON GRACE AND FREE WILL 21
We should not suppose, because he said, “For it is God that works in you both the willing and the doing,” that he has taken away free will. For if that were so he would not have said above “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” For when he bids them work, it is agreed that they have free will. But they are to work with fear and trembling so that they will not, by attributing the good working to themselves, be elated by the good works as though they were their own.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
ON THE GRACE OF CHRIST 26
It is not that the will or the deed is not ours, but without his aid we neither will nor do anything good.
Desert FathersAD 500
The Desert Fathers, Sayings of the Early Christian Monks
Daniel used to say that Arsenius told him a story, as if he were speaking of some other man, and it went like this: Whilst a certain hermit was sitting in his cell, a voice came to him which said, ‘Come here, and I will show you the works of the children of men,’ so he got up and went out. The voice led him out and showed him a black man cutting wood; he made up a large bundle and wanted to take it away, but he could not do so. Then instead of making the bundle smaller, he went and cut down some more wood, and added it to the first, and this he did many times. When he had gone on a little further, the voice showed him a man who was standing by a pit drawing up water; he poured it out into a certain hollowed-out place, and when he had poured the water into it, it ran down back into the pit. Again the voice said to him, ‘Come, and I will show you other things.’ Then he looked, and, behold, there was a temple, and two men on horseback were carrying a piece of wood as wide as the temple between them. They wanted to go in through the door, but the width of the wood did not let them do so, and they would not humble themselves to go in one after his companion to bring it in end-wise, and so they remained outside the door. Now these are the men who bear the yoke of righteousness with boasting, and they will not be humble enough to correct themselves and go in by the humble way of Christ, and therefore they remain outside the kingdom of God. The man who was cutting wood is the man who labours at many sins, and who, instead of repenting and diminishing his sins, adds other wickednesses to them. Now he who was drawing water is the man who does good works, but because other things are mingled in his good works they are lost. It is right for us to be watchful in all we do, lest we toil in vain.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Philippians 2:13 profoundly reveals the divine enablement behind Christian living, asserting that God Himself is actively at work within believers. This sovereign work encompasses both the inner disposition to desire what is good and the outward capacity to perform it, all in accordance with His benevolent will and ultimate purpose. This verse provides the essential theological foundation for the preceding command to "work out your own salvation," emphasizing that human effort is not self-generated but divinely empowered.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Philippians 2:13 employs several literary devices to convey its profound truth. Causality is evident in the opening "For," which introduces the divine reason and enablement for the preceding command to "work out your salvation." This establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, where God's internal work is the cause of our ability to respond in obedience. The verse also presents a subtle paradox or tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. While believers are commanded to act, the verse simultaneously asserts that the very capacity to "will and to do" comes from God, thus resolving the apparent contradiction by showing divine empowerment as the basis for human action. Furthermore, there is an element of emphasis through the repetition of the root idea of "work" (from energéō) in both "worketh" and "to do," underscoring the active and effective nature of God's involvement.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Philippians 2:13 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the nature of Christian sanctification and the interplay between divine grace and human effort. It fundamentally teaches that spiritual growth and obedience are not solely human endeavors but are supernaturally empowered by God Himself. This truth liberates believers from the burden of self-reliance, assuring them that God is actively engaged in transforming their desires and enabling their actions. It underscores the reality that true spiritual fruitfulness flows from an internal, divine wellspring, aligning human will with God's perfect purpose. This divine enablement ensures that our efforts are not in vain, but are aligned with God's perfect plan, leading to genuine transformation that brings glory to Him.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Philippians 2:13 offers profound encouragement and a vital perspective for every believer's walk. It reminds us that our spiritual journey, our ability to desire what is right, and our capacity to live obediently are not dependent on our fluctuating willpower or limited strength, but on the unfailing, active power of God working within us. This truth should cultivate a deep sense of humility, recognizing that any good within us or accomplished through us originates from Him, not ourselves. It fosters a posture of constant dependence, prompting us to pray, seek, and rely on God for both the desire and the ability to live for Him. Furthermore, it provides immense encouragement in moments of weakness, doubt, or spiritual struggle, assuring us that even when our own will falters, God is still at work, able to ignite desire and provide strength. Understanding that our lives are being shaped according to God's "good pleasure" imbues our daily choices and efforts with profound meaning and purpose, knowing we are participating in His divine, glorious plan.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does Philippians 2:13 negate human free will or responsibility?
Answer: No, Philippians 2:13 does not negate human free will or responsibility; rather, it provides the divine enablement for it. The verse immediately follows the command to "work out your own salvation" in Philippians 2:12, which clearly implies human agency. Philippians 2:13 explains how believers are able to fulfill that command: God is the one who empowers both the desire ("to will") and the ability ("to do"). This creates a beautiful synergy where human effort is not independent but divinely sourced. God does not force us against our will, but transforms our will and enables us to choose and act in accordance with His good pleasure, making our obedience a genuine, Spirit-empowered response.
How does God "work in us to will"?
Answer: God "works in us to will" primarily through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Spirit illuminates our minds to understand God's truth, convicts us of sin, and regenerates our hearts, giving us new desires that align with God's character and purposes. This transformation of desire is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of sanctification. As we yield to the Spirit, He softens our hearts, redirects our affections, and instills in us a longing for righteousness and obedience that was not naturally present. This divine influence leads us to genuinely desire what is good and pleasing to God, as promised in passages like Ezekiel 36:26-27.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Philippians 2:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "good pleasure" of God, which is the ultimate aim of His work in believers, is perfectly embodied and accomplished in Christ. Paul's exhortation for believers to "work out their salvation" is immediately preceded by the profound Christ hymn in Philippians 2:5-11, which details Christ's ultimate act of humility, obedience, and exaltation. Christ Himself perfectly exemplified what it means to "will and to do" according to God's good pleasure, willingly emptying Himself, taking the form of a servant, and becoming obedient to death on a cross (Philippians 2:7-8). His entire life and sacrificial death were the perfect manifestation of God's will. Now, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20) is at work within believers, transforming them to be more like Him. God's "good pleasure" is ultimately our conformity to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29), enabling us to live out the very humility, obedience, and self-sacrificial love that Christ demonstrated, all for the glory of God the Father.