Philippians 2:12

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ὥστε, ἀγαπητοί μου, καθὼς πάντοτε ὑπηκούσατε, μὴ ὡς ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ μου μόνον, ἀλλὰ νῦν πολλῷ μᾶλλον ἐν τῇ ἀπουσίᾳ μου, μετὰ φόβου καὶ τρόμου τὴν ἑαυτῶν σωτηρίαν κατεργάζεσθε.

Transliteration

Therefore, agapētoi of me, as always you hypēkousate, not as in the parousia of me only, but now much more in the apousia of me, with phobou and tromou the of yourselves sōtērian katergazesthe.

Grammar Details

• *agapētoi*: vocative, masculine, plural - beloved/dear ones
• *hypēkousate*: aorist active indicative, 2nd person plural - obeyed/listened to
• *parousia*: dative, feminine, singular - presence/arrival
• *apousia*: dative, feminine, singular - absence
• *phobou*: genitive, masculine, singular - fear/reverence
• *tromou*: genitive, masculine, singular - trembling/quaking
• *sōtērian*: accusative, feminine, singular - salvation/deliverance
• *katergazesthe*: present middle imperative, 2nd person plural - work out/accomplish/achieve

Word Meanings

• *agapētoi*: beloved/dear ones/dearly loved
• *hypēkousate*: obeyed/listened to/heeded
• *parousia*: presence/arrival/coming
• *apousia*: absence/being away
• *phobou*: fear/reverence/awe
• *tromou*: trembling/quaking/fear
• *sōtērian*: salvation/deliverance/preservation
• *katergazesthe*: work out/accomplish/achieve/bring to completion

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Therefore, my beloved, as you 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.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  So then, my beloved, even 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;

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  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.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Wherfore my dearly beloved as ye have al ways obeyed not when I was present only but now moche more in myne absence even so worke out youre awne saluacio with feare and tremblynge.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Wherfore my dearly beloued, as ye haue allwayes obeyed (not onely in my presence, but now also moch more in my absence) euen so worke out youre awne saluacion with feare and tremblynge.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Wherefore my beloued, as ye haue alwayes obeyed me, not as in my presence only, but now much more in mine absence, so make an end of your owne saluation with feare and trembling.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Wherfore, my dearely beloued, as ye haue alwayes obeyed, not as in my presence only, but nowe much more in my absence, worke out your owne saluation with feare and tremblyng.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ 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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  So that, my beloved, as ye always obey, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, with fear and trembling your own salvation work out,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  So then, my beloved, even 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;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  So then, my beloved, even 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;

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  So then, my loved ones, as you have at all times done what I say, not only when I am present, but now much more when I am not with you, give yourselves to working out your salvation with fear in your hearts;

• World English Bible (2000)

  So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Lights in the World So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence,

Referenced Verses

• 2 Pet 1:5-9 : 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; to virtue, knowledge; 6 to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; 7 to godliness, brotherly love; and to brotherly love, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever lacks these qualities is blind and short-sighted, forgetful of the cleansing of their former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election; for if you do these things, you will never stumble.
• 1 Cor 15:58 : 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
• Luke 13:23-24 : 23 Someone asked him, 'Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?' He said to them, 24 'Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
• Phil 3:13-14 : 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
• 1 Pet 2:11 : 11 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from fleshly desires, which wage war against the soul.
• Heb 4:11 : 11 Let us then make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same example of disobedience.
• Gal 6:7-9 : 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows, that they will also reap. 8 The one who sows to their flesh will reap decay from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
• John 6:27-29 : 27 'Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him, God the Father has set his seal of approval.' 28 Then they said to him, 'What must we do to perform the works of God?' 29 Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God: that you believe in the one he has sent.'
• Rom 13:11-14 : 11 And do this, knowing the time, that the hour has already come for you to wake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone, and the day is near. So let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the daytime, not in revelries and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not make provision for the desires of the flesh.
• 2 Tim 2:10 : 10 For this reason, I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus, along with eternal glory.
• Heb 12:28-29 : 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
• Matt 11:29 : 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
• Heb 5:9 : 9 And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
• Heb 6:10-11 : 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and the love you have shown for His name, having served and continuing to serve the saints. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that your hope may be fully realized.
• Heb 12:1 : 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set before us.
• 2 Pet 3:18 : 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
• Eph 6:5 : 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with sincerity of heart, as you would Christ.
• Phil 1:27 : 27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving together with one mind for the faith of the gospel.
• Phil 1:5 : 5 I thank God for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
• Phil 4:1 : 1 So then, my dear and longed-for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends.
• 2 Cor 7:15 : 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers your obedience, how you received him with fear and trembling.
• Rom 2:7 : 7 To those who seek glory, honor, and immortality by persistence in doing good, He will give eternal life.
• Isa 66:2 : 2 My hand made all these things, and so all these came into being,' declares the Lord. 'But I will look to this one: to the humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.
• Ezra 10:3 : 3 So now, let us make a covenant with our God to send away all these women and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done in accordance with the Law.
• 1 Cor 9:20-27 : 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law, I became like one under the law, even though I myself am not under the law, to win those under the law. 21 To those without the law, I became like one without the law (not being without God’s law but under the law of Christ), to win those without the law. 22 To the weak, I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we do it to receive an imperishable one. 26 Therefore, I run with purpose in every step; I fight not like someone beating the air. 27 Rather, I discipline my body and bring it under control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
• Phil 4:15 : 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only.
• 1 Thess 1:3 : 3 We remember your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by the hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.
• Phil 1:29 : 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
• Heb 4:1 : 1 Therefore, let us be cautious lest any of you seem to have fallen short of the promise of entering His rest.