Philippians 2:13 - Shining as Stars

For it is God who works in you
This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative in the believer's life. The Greek word for "works" (energeo) suggests active, effective, and continuous action. This aligns with the biblical theme that God is the primary agent in salvation and sanctification (Philippians 1:6). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a key aspect of this work, as seen in passages like Romans 8:9-11, where the Spirit empowers and transforms believers. This divine work is not limited to external actions but includes internal transformation, aligning with Ezekiel 36:26-27, where God promises to give a new heart and spirit.

to will and to act
Here, the focus is on both the desire ("to will") and the execution ("to act") of God's purposes. This dual aspect highlights that God not only gives believers the desire to follow Him but also the ability to carry it out. This reflects the biblical teaching that human will is involved in cooperation with divine grace, as seen in James 2:17, where faith is shown through works. The transformation of the will is a fulfillment of the promise in Jeremiah 31:33, where God writes His law on the hearts of His people.

on behalf of His good purpose
This phrase underscores that the ultimate goal of God's work in believers is His own good purpose. The "good purpose" refers to God's redemptive plan, which is consistent with His character and will. This aligns with Romans 8:28, where all things work together for good for those who love God. The concept of God's purpose is also seen in Ephesians 1:11, where believers are predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. This purpose is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who is the embodiment of God's plan for redemption and reconciliation.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Philippians, writing to encourage and instruct the believers in Philippi.

2. Philippi
A city in Macedonia where the church to whom Paul is writing is located. It was the first European church founded by Paul.

3. God
The central figure in this verse, emphasizing His active role in the lives of believers.

4. Philippian Church
The recipients of the letter, a community of believers who are being encouraged to live out their faith.

5. The Work of God
The divine activity within believers, enabling them to desire and perform His will.

Teaching Points

Divine Enablement
Recognize that it is God who empowers us to desire and perform His will. Our efforts are not solely our own but are supported by His divine power.

Purposeful Living
Understand that God's work in us is directed towards fulfilling His good purpose. Our lives have meaning and direction when aligned with His will.

Cooperation with God
While God works in us, we are called to cooperate with His Spirit, actively participating in His plans for our lives.

Encouragement in Weakness
In moments of doubt or weakness, remember that God is actively working within us, providing strength and guidance.

Holistic Transformation
God's work in us affects both our desires ("to will") and our actions ("to act"), leading to a comprehensive transformation of our lives.

(13) For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do.--In this famous paradox St. Paul calls on men to work by their own will, just because only God can grant them power both to will and to do. The origination of all in God, and the free action (which is in some sense origination) of man, are both truths recognised by our deepest consciousness, but to our logic irreconcilable. In one passage only (Romans 9:14-24) does St. Paul touch, and that slightly and suggestively, on their reconcilement: generally Holy Scripture--in this confirming human reason--brings out each vividly and profoundly in turn, and leaves the problem of their reconcilement untouched. Here the paradoxical form of the sentence forces on the mind the recognition of the co-existence of both. If that recognition be accepted, the force of the reasoning is clear. The only encouragement to work, in a being weak and finite like man, is the conviction that the Almighty power is working in him, both as to will and deed.

The word "worketh in you" is constantly applied to the divine operation in the soul (see 1Corinthians 12:6; 1Corinthians 12:11; Galatians 2:8; Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:2); rarely, as here (in the word rendered "to do") to the action of men. It must necessarily extend to the will as well as the action; otherwise God would not be sovereign in the inner realm of mind (as, indeed, Stoic philosophy denied that He was). We are familiar with the influence of one created will over another--an influence real, though limited, yet in no sense compulsive. From this experience we may catch a faint glimpse of the inner working of the Spirit of God on the spirit of man. Hence, while we cannot even conceive the existence of freedom under an unbending impersonal law or force, the harmony of our will with a Supreme Personal Will is mysterious, indeed, but not inconceivable. . . .

Verse 13. - 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 Ver. 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" (Augustine, quoted by Meyer). 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 (comp. 1 Corinthians 9:24. he "So run that ye may obtain;" and Romans 9:16, "It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy"). Of his good pleasure (εὐδοκίας). As the glory of God is the ultimate end (Ver. 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.). Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

it is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

who
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

works
ἐνεργῶν (energōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1754: From energes; to be active, efficient.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

to will
θέλειν (thelein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

to act
ἐνεργεῖν (energein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1754: From energes; to be active, efficient.

on behalf of
ὑπὲρ (hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

[His]
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

good pleasure.
εὐδοκίας (eudokias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2107: From a presumed compound of eu and the base of dokeo; satisfaction, i.e. delight, or kindness, wish, purpose.

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