Philippians 2:13 - Exposition

For it is God which worketh in you . "Prmsens vobis," says Bengel, "etiam absente me." Worketh ( ἐνεργῶν ); not the same word as "work out" ( κατεργάζεσθε ) in Philippians 2:12 ; acts powerfully, with energy. In you ; not lnerely among you, but in the heart of each individual believer. Both to will and to do ; translate, with R.V., to work ; the same word as before, ἐνεργεῖν . "Nos ergo volumus, sed Deus in nobis operatur et velle: nos ergo operamur, sed Deus in nobis operatur ct operari". The grace of God is alleged as a motive for earnest Christian work. The doctrines of grace and free-will are not contradictory: they may seem so to our limited understanding; but in truth they complete and snpplement one another. St. Paul does not attempt to solve the problem in theory; he bids us solve it in the life of faith. Of his good pleasure ( εὐδοκίας ) . As the glory of God is the ultimate end ( Philippians 2:11 ), so the good will of God is the first cause of our salwttiou: "God will have all men to be saved" ( 1 Timothy 2:4 .).