Phil 2-12 - Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling - Oh Really, is That So?

Phil 2-12 - Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling - Oh Really, is That So?

Yes, is that so? How many of you out there take this illegitimate translation nothing else but 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 translation errors in the New TestaMent this has to be the worst there is, and to date after 25 years of Bible study I have found no irregularity to this stateMent.

First off I will copy the King James Version of this Scripture here below followed by the former Greek. By doing this I will quote all the errors in the King James Version and I will also quote an error in the translation of the Greek as well.

Phil 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have all the time obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

As-besides favorite of me according-as all the time ye-obey (hupakouo) no as, as in the beside-being of me only but now much rather in the from-being of me with fear (phobos) and trembling the of-selves saving be-ye-down-acting.

You will observation that I have included the Greek words 'hupakouo' and 'phobos' in the Greek rendition and I will elaborate the guess for this later. You will also observation the words 'work out' are not in the Greek version. These words were added by the translators to support their 'salvation by works' teaching schedule of their non-gospel. First though, I wish to encapsulate the environment or the times in which early Christians lived, together with those in Philippi. First century Christians didn't have it cushty and easy peasy like we do in our molly coddled 21st century western world, although that is going to convert soon, and how!!?? So Watch out! You have been warned here on Ezine Articles, so be on your guard and learn to be as wise as serpents but as harmless as doves. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ instructed in Matt 10:16.

Unlike many of us, first century Christians had to deal with real persecution, they were society's scapegoats of the day. If whatever went wrong, in a Roman community that was riddled with pagan superstitious mumbo jumbo and paranoia, then these Christian 'troublemakers' were the first port of call for the local angry mob. These angry mobs were frequently egged on and encouraged by the local Pharisees and religious leaders. These were very frightening times for Christians especially those new to the Faith. Paul's visits, therefore, were all the time warmly welcomed because he was such a tower of Spiritual strength, support and encouragement to the brothers and sisters in Christ and this is the reality of the situation at Philippi as recorded in Phil 2:12.

Phil 1:28-29 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an clear token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the profit of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. Here in the preceding verses we can see Paul encouraging them not to be afraid of their adversaries. Ok, so what is the point I am development here? The point I am development is the blasphemous way in which Phil 2:12 is used by ravening wolves in pulpits to put the fear of God into their fellowships. This is a fear that should not exist and yet does exist because of the heretical teaching of the aforementioned ravening wolves, regarding this verse. So what is wrong with the translation of this verse? Pretty well everything is the talk to that? First up we have the word 'obeyed' translated from the Greek word 'hupakouo' and I will copy here Strong's comments on this word:

From G5259 and G191; to hear under (as a subordinate), that is, to listen attentively; by implication to heed or conform to a command or authority: - hearken, be obedient to, obey.

In nearly every case, when the words 'obey' and 'obedience' are used in The New Testament they are a mistranslation and the above use in Phil 2:12 is no exception. We must understand that followers of The Lord Jesus Christ do so willingly, they ensue Him willingly - no obedience is required. Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ also 'hearken or listen attentively' which is the real meaning of 'hupakouo'. Why do they listen or hearken attentively is it because they have to or because they want to!!?? Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. Now here is a critical question, was Mary at Jesus' feet because He told her to sit there or because she willingly and voluntarily wanted to sit there? Was there an inner desire to listen to The Lord Jesus or did the local Pharisee come round and order her to do it? Can you now see the blasphemy of the use of the word 'obey'? I hope so 'cos that's just what it is.

As a final point, as I want to move on, you will observation that Strong puts in 'as a subordinate' in brackets which means he thinks it is a 'Yes Sir' - 'No sir - three bags full sir' military style arrangement. This is just an erroneous personal interpretation and the brackets are thoroughly his. He also states: "by implication to heed or conform to a command or authority: - hearken, be obedient to, obey." In fAirness he does say it is implied but on what grounds? Unfortunately on Pharisaical grounds - his implied meaning is graceless nonsense and it is pure Old ageement legalism. We serve The Lord Jesus Christ because we want to not because we have to. If we think we 'have to', we have a serious question and Nasa won't be able to help you out of it either.

Let's get back to the verse in question: Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling. If, as Christians, we don't live in a world of persecution what are we supposed to tremble with fear about? Many so called ministers of God teach we should work out our own salvation and be in fear of God and tremble with fear no less. No messing about with these Bible bashing fundies eh, they know what's what and they let you have it, smack in the middle of the eyes. Not nothing else but of policy but it might as well be? Then we have the other collection of 'minister', you know, those more liberal 'sensitive types' who will attempt to elaborate this verse away so as not to frighten you or worry you. They do that by saying: "Oh, to fear God means to revere and respect Him; be in awe of Him in a fearful way" Utter bunkum and humbug when applied to this verse! This is why I quoted the Greek word 'phobos' next to fear in the Greek rendering. From 'phobos' we get the English word phobia which means a fear of something. Then we get trembling with the word fear so Paul is not being ambiguous here in this verse he is assuredly speaking about being very frightened indeed.

Frightened of what though? Well we know don't we, I have already explained why these Christians were trembling with fear - persecution, possible torture and death. These were evil times in which these right habitancy lived. Now let's analyse this verse properly. Paul is emphasising something else here in this verse that is nothing else but missed. If we keep our minds fixed on the backdrop of persecution and read these words again "not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence," we can now begin to see the emphasis shifting onto the strict subject matter. Paul was beseeching them to not loose faith in these difficult fearful times especially in his absence or without him being there to progress and encourage them. He then adds, and I will switch to the Greek for this part: "with fear (phobos) and trembling the of-selves saving be-ye-down-acting." The term 'be-ye-down-acting' means to achieve or finish so Paul here is confirming what I have already stated. This verse is about not giving up under huge life threatening pressure and fear. It's an exhortation to be brave and bear up whilst going straight through a period of severe suffering. This verse has nothing to do with being in fear of God. It also has nothing to do with our working out our own Salvation for Salvation is a free God given gift and was 'worked out' for us at the cross. Our works have nothing to do with it.

My Links : Weber GasGrill Outdoor