FOR IT IS GOD WHO IS AT WORK IN YOU: theos gar estin (3SPAI) o energon (PAPMSN) en humin: (Jer 31:33; 32:38; Jn 3:27; Acts 11:21; ; Heb 13:21; Jas 1:16, 17, 18)

Note that God (theos) is placed first in the Greek to emphasize His vital role in this process.

Wuest comments that...

In verse twelve, we have human responsibility, in verse thirteen, divine enablement, a perfect balance which must be kept if the Christian life is to be lived at its best. It is not a “let go and let God” affair. It is a “take hold with God” business. It is a mutual co-operation with the Holy Spirit in an interest and an activity in the things of God. The saint must not merely rest in the Holy Spirit for victory over sin and the production of a holy life. He must in addition to this dependence upon the Spirit, say a positive NO to sin and exert himself to the doing of the right (cp the teaching, child rearing role of the "grace of God" in Titus 2:12-see notes). Here we have that incomprehensible and mysterious interaction between the free will of man and the sovereign grace of God. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos) (Bolding added)

CEV paraphrases it...

God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.

God calls us to holiness, and then empowers us to pursue holiness.

For (1063) (gar) or "because" introduces an explanation and in context explains how it is possible for believers to obey the command to continually work out their salvation. This verse explains God's role (God's sovereignty) in the believer's sanctification process whereas the preceding verse explains our role (man's responsibility). It should be clear that without God "working in" the believer who is "working out" his or her own salvation, genuine sanctification would be impossible.

Eadie...

The for (gar) indicates the connection, not by assigning a reason in the strict sense of the term, but by introducing an explanatory statement:— Engage in this duty; the inducement and the ability to engage in it are inducement and ability alike from God....

The position of Theos (God) shows the emphasis placed upon it by the apostle. God it is who worketh in you—alluding to the inner operation of Divine grace—for en humin is not among you. There is special force in the form estin ho energon.

It is notable that the teaching that they are enabled to obey by God’s power is virtually unparalleled in pre-Christian literature except for Old Testament teachings on the Holy Spirit.

Paul places God (2316) (theos) first in the Greek sentence, which emphasizes the critical role God plays in our ability to work out our own salvation. God gives us both the desire and the energy. God's Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ lives in each believer and He gives us the desire and the energy to

"not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"...and enables us "by the Spirit...(to put) to death the deeds of the body." In short we are to be continually "led by the Spirit" of the Living God Who is continually at work in us and Who Alone "is able to keep (us) from stumbling, and to make (us) stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy" (Ro 8:4-note, Ro 8:13-note, Ga 5:18-note Jude 24)

In the Old Testament we see God at work in Judah...

The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the LORD. (2Chr 30:12)

Isaiah records during the Millennium that the Jews (all of whom will be redeemed at that time) will acknowledge....

LORD, you will grant us peace, for all we have accomplished is really from you. (Isa 26:12, NLT)

F F Bruce writes that...

When the Spirit takes the initiative in imparting to believers the desire and the power to do the will of God, then that desire and power becomes theirs by His gift, and they do His will ‘from your heart’ (See note Ephesians 6:6)

As the apostle Peter declared...

His divine power has granted (perfect tense = speaks of the permanence of this grant) to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. (2Pe 1:3, 4-note)

SUPERNATURAL WORK
REQUIRES
SUPERNATURAL ENERGY

Work (1754) (energeo from energes = active, operative, at work in turn from en = in + érgon = work) refers to active, efficient, effectual fervent work. God energizes His children to obey and serve Him; His power enables their sanctification.

Paul describes God's effective energetic power in believers, alluding to the operation of the Holy Spirit and the transforming power of grace. The present tense indicates God is continually at work energizing believers, enabling them to work out their salvation. Don't be discouraged beloved, for Paul is saying God is always at work in us. It is for that reason that sanctification will continue throughout the believer’s life (Php 1:6-note). Those whom God justifies by grace through faith He just as surely sanctifies (also by grace through faith).

If you are discouraged by failures, the truth that God is continually at work in you and clearly has not given up on you should encourage you to forget what lies behind and press on in His power knowing that it is always too soon to quit!

Paul did not underestimate the importance of faithful obedience, but he knew that underlying all our obedience and acceptable service was the energizing power and will of God, Who Alone then will receive the glory. It is as if believers who are working out their salvation are God's "trophies" before the lost, watching world! Beloved, is your "trophy" shining forth or do you need to "dust" it off by practicing the principles of Philippians 2:12-13?

Paul emphasized this same principle of God's inner working and thus our dependence on God's power writing to the Corinthians...

Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2Corinthians 3:5-6)

After declaring that his great desire and purpose was to present all men complete in Christ (Col 1:28-note), he went on to explain how he carried out this task writing that it was...

for this purpose also I labor (kopiao to the point of exhaustion in the present tense = continually laboring), striving (agonizomai intensely struggling like an athlete in the present tense = continually striving) (Paul's responsibility) according to His power (God's provision), which mightily (dunamis) works (energeo in the present tense = continually energizes) within me . (Col 1:29-note) (Paul was passionate to see men formed complete in Christ and we should be no less zealous.)

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul emphasized that the carrying out of his responsibility was made possible by God's empowerment...

(Paul  reminded them that he) was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace which was given to me according to the working (energeia in this context = supernatural energy) of His power (dunamis). (Ep 3:7-note)

Now to Him Who is able (dunamai in the present tense = continually has the inherent ability - see omnipotence) to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power (dunamis - Inherent power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature - obviously God's supernatural power) that works (energeo in the present tense = continually energizes) within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ep 3:20, 21-note).

Paul's point is that God energizes His children to obey and serve Him! His energy enables our ongoing, daily supernatural process of sanctification. In fact, believers can do nothing holy or righteous in their own power or resources and this even includes "church work" (especially if that work is done in our own natural [rather than supernatural] power and for our "recognition"!) (cp Jesus' warning that "apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5)

GOD IS THE ENERGY
AND
THE ENERGIZER!

William Hendriksen explains the working out process with several analogies writing that...

The toaster cannot produce toast unless it is “connected,” so that its nichrome wire is heated by the electricity from the electric power house. The electric iron is useless unless the plug of the iron has been pushed into the wall outlet. There will be no light in the room at night unless electricity flows through the tungsten wire within the light-bulb, each end of this wire being in contact with wires coming from the source of electric energy. The garden-rose cannot gladden human hearts with its beauty and fragrance unless it derives its strength from the sun. Best of all, “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me” (John 15:4).So here also. Only then can and do the Philippians work out their own salvation when they remain in living contact with their God...By means of his Spirit working in the hearts of his people (Php 1:19-note), applying to these hearts the means of grace and all the experiences of life, God is the great and constant, the effective Worker, the Energizer, operating in the lives of the Philippians, bringing about in them both to will and to work. Note: not only to work but even to will, that is, to resolve and desire. (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. Vol. 5: New Testament commentary : Exposition of Philippians. Page 122. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House or Logos)

BOTH TO WILL AND TO WORK: kai to thelein (PAN) kai to energein (PAN): (1Ki 8:58; 1Chr 29:14, 15, 16, 17, 18; Ezra 1:1,5; 7:27; Neh 2:4; Ps 110:3; 119:36; Ps 141:4; Pr 21:1; Jn 6:45,65; Ep 2:4,5; 2Th 2:13,14; Titus 3:4,5; 1Pet 1:3)

In Ezekiel Jehovah, the Lord (Adonai) God (Ezek 36:23) gives us the OT parallel of this great truth in Philippians in His promise of a New Covenant...

Moreover, I will give you (speaking directly to Israel, but applicable to all believers) a new (Lxx = kainos = that which is a new kind, not previously present) heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.  (Ezekiel 36:26, 27)

Comment: Although in Ezekiel, the term "New Covenant" is not used, comparison with Jer 31:31 (Lxx = kainos) indicate Ezekiel is also referring to the New Covenant. This promise of the New Covenant was inaugurated by our Lord at the "Last Supper", the Passover meal in which He presented Himself as the Passover Lamb (1Co 5:7, Jn 1:29) declaring "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood. (Lk 22:20)

Earlier in Ezekiel's prophecy God had promised...

And I will give them one heart, and put a new (Lxx = kainos) spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19-note)

In Ezekiel 18 God again alludes to the New Covenant...

Cast away (Heb = imperative = a command; Lxx = aporripto = throw away, cast down) from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new (Lxx = kainos) heart and a new (Lxx = kainos) spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 18:31)

Comment: Don't misunderstand the command to make...a new spirit as if by our unrighteous deeds we could ever hope to achieve the perfect righteousness God's holiness and law demand! No, what God is calling for is a personal choice to enter into the New Covenant by grace through faith and receive a new heart and spirit in Christ Jesus the Covenant Messenger (Mal 3:1). 

See related resource: Excursus on Circumcision Of the Heart

John MacArthur commenting on Ezekiel 18:31 writes that

The key to life eternal and triumph over death is conversion. This involves repentance from sin (Ezek 18:30, 31a) and receiving the new heart which God gives with a new spirit, wrought by the Holy Spirit (Ezek 36:24, 25, 26, 27; Jer 31:34; John 3:5, 6, 7, 8).

God produces the desire to live godly and provides the effective energy to accomplish this supernatural objective in the life of every believer. So what is your excuse?

As Wiersbe rightly remarks...

Too many Christians obey God only because of pressure on the outside, and not power on the inside.

Are you wrestling with what is the Will of God for you life? You might want to read the RBC booklet How Can I Know What God Wants Me To Do?

In Philippians 2:12,13, Paul has in view both human choice (responsibility) and God’s sovereignty (provision/power). When Spurgeon was asked to “reconcile” the two, he replied,

How do I reconcile friends?

Will (2309) (thelo) means to determine and refers to one's desire and implies volition and purpose. Thelo refers to thoughtful, purposeful choice, not to mere whim or emotional desire. A genuine desire to do God’s will, as well as the power to obey it, originates with Him.

First
VOLITION (WILL)
Then
ACTION (WORK)

Eadie...

first and naturally volition , and then action (Ro 7:18) The double kai/ is emphatic (kai to thelein kai to energein) The apostle uses energein both of cause and effect—energon...energein— whereas the verb denoting the ultimate form of action was katergazesthe (katergazomai). The difference is very apparent. The latter term, the one employed by the apostle in the exhortation of Php 2:12-note, represents the full and final bringing of an enterprise to a successful issue; whereas energein describes action rather in reference to vital power or ability, than form or result. The will and the work are alike from God, or from the operation of His grace and Spirit; not the work without the will—an effect without its cause; not the will without the work—an idle and effortless volition.  (The Epistle to the Philippians - online excellent) )

Believers choose to behave a certain way but only because the Holy Spirit is at work causing us to want to do God’s will. God arouses, stirs, and energizes the heart of the believer to do God's will. This is a wonderful truth. All believers experience movements and stirrings within their heart toward God. These stirrings are from His Spirit. God is working within —energizing —giving both the will and power to do what pleases Him. Amazing grace! Our part is to lay hold of these stirrings and not to let them pass by unheeded. We are to grab hold of them and do exactly what the stirrings are arousing and energizing us to do. Then we are truly working out our salvation. Praise God He does not leave us to our own futile efforts.

In ancient secular Greek thelo was used by Homer to speak of readiness, inclination, and desire. When one was ready for an event, or inclined to undertake a course of action, thelo was used. In the writings of Plato the word came to speak of intention or desire.

And so we learn that God’s work in us includes the transformation of our will, as well as our work. But clearly His work is not a passive transaction, in light of the exhortation in the preceding verse to work out our own salvation.

John MacArthur has an interesting comment on this passage writing that...

God uses two means to move believers’ wills. First is what might be called holy discontent, the humble recognition that one’s life always falls short of God’s standard of holiness...

The second means God uses to move believers’ wills is holy aspiration, the positive side of holy discontent. After He instills a genuine hatred of sin, He cultivates a genuine desire for righteousness. After He makes believers discontent with what they are, He gives them the aspiration to greater holiness. Above all, it is the desire to be like Christ, “to become conformed to the image of [God’s] Son” (Ro 8:29- note)...

Holy resolve leads to holy living. A godly will produces godly work. (Read the full message on "God At Work in You" Part 3)

And to work - The power that works in us and "energizes" our new supernatural life, is the power of the Holy Spirit of God (cp John 14:16, 17, 26; Acts 1:8; 1Cor. 6:19, 20). We do well to remember that the same Holy Spirit Who empowered Christ when He was ministering on earth is to empower us as well. Luke describes the Holy Spirit's empowering role in Jesus' life and ministry...

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led about by the Spirit in the wilderness (Luke 4:1)

And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power (dunamis) of the Spirit; and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching (What was His source of "power" with which to teach?) in their synagogues and was praised by all. (Luke 4:14-15)

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power (dunamis), and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him. (Acts 10:38)

Jesus promised the same Spirit and power to His disciples and the Spirit is still every believer's source of power...

(Jesus said) you shall receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Work (1754) (energeo from energes = active, operative, at work in turn from en = in + érgon = work) refers to active, efficient, effectual fervent work. It refers to being energized and active in a particular endeavor.

God energizes His children to obey and serve Him; His power enables their sanctification. Energeo in the NT virtually always describes supernatural activity, principally God's energizing activity and this verse is no exception.

Energeo describes active, efficient, effective working. Paul is saying that God exerts effective, energetic power in believers which enables them to obey. The activity put forth in an individual energizes him to the doing certain things intended by God Who is doing the energizing.

The present tense indicates that God continually works effectually and productively, providing the necessary power for supernatural living.

Paul linked this divine internal working or energizing in believers with the living and abiding Word of God writing to the saints at Thessalonica...

And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs (energeo = effective, operative and productive, continually [present tense] producing an effect in the lives of those who receive it) its work in you who believe.  (See note 1Thessalonians 2:13)

The prayer of the writer of Hebrews echoes a similar dependence on God's power to carry out what He calls us to do, the writer asking that God...

equip you in every good thing to do His will, working (present tense = continually) in us that which is pleasing (euarestos = well pleasing, acceptable, speaks of God's attitude toward man) in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (see note Hebrews 13:21)

A T Robertson writes...

 “Both the willing and the working (the energizing).” God does it all, then. Yes, but he puts us to work also and our part is essential, as he has shown in verse 12, though secondary to that of God.

William Barclay commenting on the meaning of energeo notes that...

There are two significant things about (energeo); it is always used of the action of God, and it is always used of effective action. God’s action cannot be frustrated, nor can it remain half-finished; it must be fully effective. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press)

A BALANCED
VIEW

Warren Wiersbe explains this balance writing that Paul...

is setting before us the divine pattern for the submissive mind and the divine power to accomplish what God has commanded. “It is God which worketh in you” (Phil 2:13). It is not by imitation, but by incarnation—“Christ liveth in me” (Gal 2:20-note). The Christian life is not a series of ups and downs. It is rather a process of “ins and outs.” God works in, and we work out. We cultivate the submissive mind by responding to the divine provisions God makes available to us. (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor)

Greg Herrick reminds believers of the need to "keep our balance" in our Christian walk:

We cannot say, “It all depends on me. This makes Christianity just a list of do’s and don’ts.” This negates verse 13. Yet, on the other hand, we cannot sit around waiting for God to do something, all the while disobeying the explicit teaching of Scripture. This is to deny the imperative in verse 12. The informed Christian who knows the Lord through his word, and in prayer, will say with the apostle Paul:

by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Jeremy Taylor wrote that...

God has given to man but a short time on earth, yet upon this time does all eternity depend.

Henry Drummond writes that...

One of the futile methods of sanctifying ourselves is trying; effort--struggle--agonizing. I suppose you have all tried that, and I appeal to your own life when I ask if it has not failed. Crossing the Atlantic, the Etruria, in which I was sailing, suddenly stopped in mid-ocean--something had broken down. There were a thousand people on board that ship. Do you think we could have made it go if we had all gathered together and pushed against the sides or against the masts? When a man hopes to sanctify himself by trying, he is like a man trying to make the boat go that carries him by pushing it--he is like a man drowning in the water and trying to save himself by pulling the hair of his own head. It is impossible. Christ held up the mode of sanctification almost to ridicule when He said: "Which of you by taking thought can add a cubit to his stature?" Put down that method forever as futile.

Another man says: "That is not my way. I have given up that. Trying has its place, but that is not where it comes in. My method is to concentrate on some single sin, and to work away upon that until I have got rid of it." Now, in the first place, life is too short for that process to succeed. Their name is legion. In the second place, that leaves the rest of the nature for a long time untouched. In the third place, it does not touch the seed or root of the disease. If you dam up a stream at one place, it will simply overflow higher up. And for a fourth reason: Religion does not consist in negatives--in stopping this sin and stopping that sin. (The Perfected Life)

John Piper reconciles Philippians 2:12,13 this way...

God's sovereignty in sanctification does not remove our obligation. It enables it...God's sovereign work in us is our only hope that we will press on to maturity. (from Let Us Press on to Maturity) God’s working and willing in us does not make our working pointless; it makes it possible. (from Assessing Ourselves ) We obey and we work. It is our act and our choice. But beneath our doing and our willing is God giving the willing and giving the doing. "For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." It is really our work and really his gift. It is really our willing and really his gift. (from Let Us Press On To Maturity Hebrews 6:1-3)

Lehman Strauss writes that...

 We work and God works. It is a mutual effort toward the common goal of glorifying God in our lives. Here is a blending and interacting of God’s sovereign grace and power and man’s free will. God works in us but we dare not be passive. We work, too, and our work and the exercise of our wills are never at greater liberty than when thus engaged in doing ‘His good pleasure.’ The Holy Spirit abides in the believer, and he is never more pleased than when we are working out that which He has worked in...But remember, while God has assumed the responsibility for the inworking, we are responsible for the outworking” (Studies in Philippians, p. 123).  (Bolding added)

As C H Spurgeon put it...

We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, but not till he has worked in us can we work it out.

.In a similar reminder Oswald Chambers writes that...

God alters our disposition, but he does not make our character. When God alters my disposition, the first thing the new disposition will do is to stir up my brain to think along God’s line. As I begin to think, begin to work out what God has worked in, it will become character. Character is consolidated thought. God makes me pure in heart; I must make myself pure in conduct.

C S Lewis commented that...

Scripture just sails over the problem [of the whole puzzle about grace and free will]. “Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling” – pure Pelagianism. But why? “For it is God who worketh in you” – pure Augustinianism (he argued that without grace there could be no salvation). It is presumably only our presuppositions that make this appear nonsensical.

Chuck Swindoll in his exposition of Philippians (Laugh Again) writes that...

Christ says in effect, “You want to live My life? Here is My power.” Lo and behold, He strengthens us within. “You want to please My heavenly Father? Here’s My enablement.” And He enables us by His Spirit...You see, Christ not only lived an exemplary life, He also makes it possible for us to do the same. He gives us His pattern to follow without, while at the same time providing the needed power within...Because we have His example to follow and His power to pull it off, you and I no longer have to fake it or hurry it or strive for it. Once He gets control of our minds, the right attitudes bring about the right actions (Laugh Again, p. 96 ).

F B Meyer writes...

He works in us to will. That is, He does not treat us like a machine. He deals with us as moral agents who can say yes and no. He is not going to compel us to be saints, He is not going to force us to be holy. If thou wilt, He much more wills, and thou dost will because He willed before. The will of God wants to take thee up into itself, as the wind that breathes over a city waits to catch up the smoke from a thousand chimney-pots, and waft it on its bosom through the heavens.

You may always know when God is willing within you--

First, by a holy discontent with yourself. You are dissatisfied with all that you have ever done, and been.

Secondly, you aspire; you see above you the snow-capped peaks, and your heart longs to climb and to stand there.

Thirdly, these are followed by the appreciation of the possibility of your being blameless and harmless and without rebuke. If a man refuses to believe that he can be a saint, he never will become one. If a man says, I cannot hope to be more than conqueror, God Himself cannot save him. When the Spirit of God is within you, there rises up a consciousness that you have the capacity for the highest possible attainments, because you were made and redeemed in the image of God, and because the germ of the Christ-nature has been sown in your spirit. Two men go through a picture-gallery. Each sees the same masterpiece. One says, I cannot imagine how that can be done. The other man says, I also am a painter. That second man is capable of producing a picture which also shall outlive. You must believe that you can be a saint, even you. You must dare to believe it, because the Christ-germ is sown in your character, and because God is working in you to will and to do.

Fourthly, the determination, I will. There should be a moment in the history of us all when each shall say--Cost what it may, I will not yield again; I will arise to be what God wants to make me; I will yield myself to Him; I will reckon myself to be dead indeed unto sin, and alive unto God through Jesus Christ; I will yield myself to the power that worketh in me. Discontent, aspiration, appreciation of the possibilities of saintliness, and resolve.

The will of God is working in you to-day. Cannot you take those four steps? Are you going back to live the old self-indulgent life? If so, these words will be a curse to you, for nothing injures the soul so much as to know the truth and yet fall back into the ditch. (Devotional Commentary on Philippians)

FOR HIS GOOD PLEASURE: huper tes eudokias: (Lk 12:32; Ro 9:11-note, Ro 9:16-note; Eph 1:5-note, Ep 1:9-note, Ep 1:11-note; Ep 2:8-note; 2Th 1:11; 2Ti 1:9-note)

The NIV is slightly different rendering Philippians 2:13...

for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

The New Living paraphrase renders it...

For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.

Clarke writes that...

Every good is freely given of God; no man deserves any thing from Him; and as it pleases Him, so He deals out to men those measures of mental and corporeal energy which He sees to be necessary; giving to some more, to others less, but to all what is sufficient for their salvation.

Barnes writes that...

Here eudokia means that which would be agreeable to him; and the idea is, that he exerts such an influence as to lead men to will and to do that which is in accordance with his will.

Boice has some interesting thoughts on this passage writing...

I wonder if you have ever noticed that the well-known verses of Ephesians 2:8, 9, 10 speak twice of our works, the things that we do. One kind of work is condemned because it comes out of ourselves and is contaminated by sin. The other kind of work is encouraged because it comes from God as he works within the Christian. The verses say,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works [that is, of human working], so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works [that is, the result of God's working], which God prepared in advance for us to do."

These verses are really Paul's own commentary upon Philippians 2:12, 13, for they tell us that although God can never be satisfied with any good that comes out of human beings, he is satisfied and pleased with the good that is done by Christians through the power of Jesus Christ within them. Through that power the tyranny of sin is broken, the possibility of choosing for God is restored, and a new life of communion with God and holiness is set before the Christian. (Boice Expositional Commentary)

Good pleasure (2107) (eudokía from eu = well, well off + dokeo = to seem, to think, to have an opinion)  means good will or pleasure. Eudokia speak of that which pleases.

Eudokia - 10 times in the NT (see below) - Mt. 11:26; Lk 2:14; 10:21; Ro 10:1-note; Eph 1:5-note (purpose = kind intention) Ep 1:9-note; Php 1:15-note; Php 2:13; 2Th 1:11

Please note, eudokia (in my opinion) is one of those Greek words which is somewhat difficult to define in concrete, easily apprehended terms, so keep this caveat in mind as you read the various definitions of eudokia. Part of the difficulty in defining eudokia arises from the fact that it has no classic Greek uses, appearing for the first time in Septuagint.

In Ro 10:1-note eudokia describes a feeling of strong emotion in favor of and thus a desire or wish and includes the idea that a desire is usually directed toward something that causes satisfaction or favor. Thayer offers for this instance of its use, “desire, for delight in any absent thing easily begets a longing for it.”

 In Php 1:15-note eudokia speaks of men and describes having a good intent or goodwill (contrasting with envy and strife). Most of the other NT uses of eudokia (including here in Philippians 2:13) are  used of God. Eudokia expresses not merely a benevolent attitude but an active pleasure, and, when used of something not yet realized, indicates a fervent desire.

God's motive behind His work in our lives is because it gives Him pleasure!

MacArthur writes that...

eudokia in Philippians 2:13 speaks of satisfaction or good pleasure. God works in us to cause us to do what satisfies and pleases Him. Such is the goal of the sanctification process. Working out our salvation with fear and trembling pleases Him. Believers are very dear to God; so when we obey His will, He is pleased. Isn’t that the essence of a relationship? We want to please the ones we love. God wants our best because that’s what pleases Him most—and He is worthy of even more—so we should give Him our best as a demonstration of our love. Think of it! We can bring pleasure to the One who does everything for us. (MacArthur, J., F., Jr. Our Sufficiency in Christ Crossway. page 208. 1998)

Note that eudokia is variously translated (see full verses below) in the NASB as desire(2), good pleasure(1), good will(1), kind intention(2), pleased(1),well-pleasing(2).

Vine writes that eudokia...

implies a gracious purpose, a good object being in view, with the idea of a resolve, showing the willingness with which the resolve is made. It is often translated “good pleasure,” e.g., Eph 1:5-note, Ep 1:9-note; Php 2:13; in Phil. 1:15-note, “good will”; in Rom. 10:1-note, “desire,” (marg., “good pleasure”); in 2Th 1:11, rv, “desire,” kjv and rv, marg., “good pleasure.” It is used of God in Matt. 11:26 (“well pleasing,” rv, for kjv, “seemed good”); Luke 2:14, rv, “men in whom He is well pleased,” lit., “men of good pleasure” (the construction is objective); 10:21; Eph. 1:5, 9; Phil. 2:13. See pleasure, seem, will.

TDNT has this note on Paul's uses of eudokia...

In the NT there are only two references to human will. In Ro 10:1-note the will of the heart becomes petition to God. In Phil. 1:15 the idea is that of good will, directed toward Paul but by implication toward his mission as well. The other references in Paul are all to God’s good pleasure or counsel. It is just possible that good human resolve is at issue in 2Th. 1:11, but this is unlikely. In Ep 1:5, 9, 11, where thélēma, próthesis, and boule accompany eudokía, the term brings out the element of free good pleasure in the divine counsel. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W.  Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans)

NIDNTT writes that...

The verb eudokeo is a colloquial term from Hellenistic times (attested from the 3rd cent. B.C.). It is thought to be derived from the hypothetical eudokos, formed from eu, good, and dechomai, to accept (Ed: Note that this is different then the derivation noted above.). In classic Greek it means to be well pleased or content, to consent, approve; in the passive, to be favoured, i.e. prosper; to find favour with. From the verb the LXX has also formed the noun eudokia, whereas classic Gk. uses the noun eudokesis, satisfaction, approval, consent. The goal of the Epicurean philosophy of life is the eudokoumene zoe, the life with which one is content (Philodemus Philosophus, De Morte 30, 42; cf. G. Schrenk, TDNT II 740).  (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) 

The noun eudokia occurs 10 times in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - LXX) (1Chr. 16:10; Ps. 5:12; 19:14; 51:18; 69:13; 89:17; 106:4; 141:5; 145:16; Song 6:4). Here is a representative use...

Psalm 19:14-note Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable (Hebrew = ratson = pleasure, delight favor, acceptance; LXX = eudokia) in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

Here are the 9 NT uses of eudokia...

Matthew 11:26 "Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing (good pleasure) in Thy sight.

Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased (good pleasure)."

Luke 10:21 At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes. Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Thy sight.

Romans 10:1 (note) Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.

Ephesians 1:5 (note) He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention (good will, delight, satisfaction, purpose, counsel) of His will, (Comment: Paul teaches that predestination is God's absolute act of free love grounded totally in Himself - here according to the kind intention or good pleasure of His will).

Ephesians 1:9 (note) He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him (Comment: Wuest writes that "God’s good pleasure, therefore, is not an arbitrary whim of a sovereign, but represents that which in the wisdom and love of God would contribute most to the well-being and blessing of the saints. The word means “will, choice, delight, pleasure, satisfaction.” In the case of God, all these are dictated by what is good or well. Thus, the delight, pleasure, and satisfaction which God has in blessing the saints is found in the fact that what He does for them is dictated by what is good for them. This good pleasure is that “which He hath purposed in Himself.")

Philippians 1:15 (note) Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;

Philippians 2:13 (note) for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire (purpose, choice) for goodness and the work of faith with power

God’s good pleasure Is not an arbitrary whim of a sovereign, but represents that which in the wisdom and love of God would contribute most to the well-being and blessing of the saints. The ultimate goal or purpose of our lives is "His good pleasure". Our lives are to be lived for God's greater glory and not for our own selfish desires. Are we left to carry out this daunting task alone? Is it our task to grit our teeth and to "grin and bear it" (whatever "it" is in our lives)? Paul is teaching us "Absolutely not!" He is however not saying just "Let go and let God." That is part of the "equation" but Paul presents a balanced picture: God is at work in us! He gives us strength and empowers our diligence. As He pours His power into us, we are to do our part choosing to do the things that bring Him pleasure. His pleasure not ours. His will not ours. His glory not ours. Those are the things that make life truly meaningful.

Chuck Swindoll observes

"As He pours His power into us, we do the things that bring Him pleasure. Take special note that His pleasures (not ours), His will (not ours), His glory (not ours) are what make life meaningful.” (Ibid)

Wil Pounds adds that in this verse we find...

The ultimate goal or purpose of our lives is stated...“His good pleasure.” How foolishly we pursue the idea that our lives, even as Christians, are to seek after and fulfill our selfish desires and ambitions. We are now His possession and the goal of our lives is to bring honor and glory to Him.

Dennis De Haan writes that

"When we experience God's love through faith in Jesus Christ, something wonderful is born within us--a desire to love and please God for all He has done for us. This desire may grow faint at times, especially when other passions clamor for fulfillment. But the Lord is always working in us "both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). When we realize that He always desires our good, we will want to live for His glory.

What is your greatest desire?

The world displays and tempts us with
All kinds of sinful pleasure;
But if we long to please the Lord,
We'll have life's greatest treasure. --Sper

You can do what you want when you want to please God.

The trap we fall into is trying to "clean ourselves up" so that we appear more holy to people. We stop going to R-Rated movies, stop cursing, etc and think that because we have abandoned a few behaviors we are "better". The Christian life however is no longer a matter of stopping some things and starting some others. Our ability to sin or not is the result of the Holy Spirit in us leading us to be like Christ (cf Ro 8:13-note). The progressive process of "separation" from the world (sanctification) takes place as we "cooperate" with the Spirit (under control of or filled with the Spirit...like a "drunk" man...what fills him controls him.) We too like Paul have to continually, daily die to the flesh (death to self), saying "yes" to Jesus and "no" the flesh (not in the reverse order!) so that Christ can live His life through us. It is not us living "like Jesus" trying to do for Him but Christ living His life through us...this is the key to the Christ Life. We can't but He can. Christ in me enables me to do what He has commanded me to do (Ezek 36:27 He 13:21-note).

Warren Wiersbe tells of a frustrated Sunday school teacher whose class wasn't growing as it should. She wore herself out working harder and harder, yet nothing changed. Finally, after recognizing that her ministry was self-motivated and self-activated, things began to change. "I've learned to draw constantly on the Lord's power," she said, "and things are different!" This woman still works hard as a teacher, but no longer self-sufficiently. Instead, she's learned to work out, moment by moment, what God works in. Have you?

We must come to the end of ourselves, realizing we cannot live the life Christ lived unless He lives it through us, (Gal 2:20-note) in His power. Remember as Ro 7:18-note -- our flesh is "no good" and temptations of the flesh are subtle (cf "deceitful lusts" Ep 4:22-note). To be sure, believers "released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter" (Ro 7:6-note, cp Ro 6:14-note) but if we begin to try to establish little personal "laws" to "make us spiritual" or "keep us spiritual" we will arouse (Ro 7:5-note) the old flesh nature (crucified to be sure but still dormant within us). Don't get discouraged. This is a lifelong battle (Ga 5:16, 17, 18 -see notes Ga 5:16; 17; 18) but we have fled for refuge (He 6:18-note) to a sure and steadfast hope (absolute assurance of future good - Ultimately hope is personified in Christ, 1Ti 1:1) and can therefore be certain that He will complete in us the good work He began (Php 1:6-note, 1Th 5:24-note). Enter His rest (He 4:11-note, He 4:1-note). Rely on His Spirit and keep working out your salvation with fear and trembling. He Who is coming is coming quickly.

An illustration of working out our salvation and God working in us:

Ignace Jan Paderewski, the famous Polish composer-pianist, was once scheduled to perform at a great American concert hall for a high-society extravaganza. In the audience was a mother with her fidgety nine-year-old son. Weary of waiting, the boy slipped away from her side, strangely drawn to the Steinway on the stage. Without much notice from the audience, he sat down at the stool and began playing “chopsticks.” The roar of the crowd turned to shouts as hundreds yelled, “Get that boy away from there!” When Paderewski heard the uproar backstage, he grabbed his coat and rushed over behind the boy. Reaching around him from behind, the master began to improvise a countermelody to “Chopsticks.” As the two of them played together, Paderewski kept whispering in the boy’s ear, “Keep going. Don’t quit, son, don’t stop, don’t stop.”  (Today in the Word)

Dr. Harry Ironside illustrates the point of God taking the "want to" out of our new heart writing that

"It is the grace of God working in the soul that makes the believer delight in holiness, in righteousness, in obedience to the will of God, for real joy is found in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ. I remember a man who lived a life of gross sin. After his conversion, one of his old friends said to him, “Bill, I pity you—a man that has been such a high-flier as you. And now you have settled down; you go to church, or stay at home and read the Bible and pray; you never have good times any more.” “But, Bob,” said the man, “you don’t understand. I get drunk every time I want to. I go to the theater every time I want to. I go to the dance when I want to. I play cards and gamble whenever I want to.” “I say, Bill,” said his friend, “I didn’t understand it that way. I thought you had to give up these things to be a Christian.” “No, Bob,” said Bill, “the Lord took the ‘want to’ out when He saved my soul, and he made me a new creature in Christ Jesus.” When we are born of God we receive a new life and that life has its own new nature, a nature that hates sin and impurity and delights in holiness and goodness."

Ironside summarizes "working out our salvation" as

“simply submitting to the truth of God after we have been saved, in order that we may glorify Him, whether as individuals or assemblies of saints in the place of testimony.”

As John wrote

"No one who is born of God (continually - present tense) practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot  (habitually - present tense) sin, because he is born of God." (1Jn 3:9)

Commenting on Philippians 2:12-13 John Piper exhorts believers to...

Go hard after Christ, because Christ is at work in you! "Strive for … the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (He 12:14-note), for the Lord is working in you what is pleasing in his sight (He 13:21-note). The reason the Bible can make our salvation depend on our pursuit of holiness without turning us into self-reliant legalists who have no assurance is that it makes our pursuit of holiness depend on the sovereign work of God in our lives. Work out your salvation because God is at work in you. Your work is his work for his glory when done in dependence on his power. The most fundamental reason why you must go hard after Christ is that Christ is in you, moving you to go hard after him. (from Going Hard After the Holy God)

In another sermon John Piper reasons that...

Since God has given power for godliness, strive to become godly! This is the heart of New Testament ethics. We labor for virtue because God has already labored for us and is at work in us. Don't ever reverse the order, lest you believe another gospel (which is no gospel). Never say, "I will work out my salvation in order that God might work in me." But say with the apostle Paul, "I work out my salvation for it is God who works in me to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). Never say, "I press on to make it my own in order that Christ might make me his own." But say with Paul, "I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own" (Php 3:12-note). There is a world of difference in a marriage where the husband doubts the love of his wife and labors to earn it, and a marriage where the husband rests in the certainty of his wife's love and takes pains joyfully not to live unworthily of it. ...God is for us with divine power. Of that we may be sure. Now, in the confidence of that power, take pains not to live unworthily of his love. (from Confirm Your Election)

In another sermon John Piper exhorts believers...

Beloved, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (get out of the chair, the house is on fire!) because (not "in spite of" but "because") God is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure. It is a great incentive, not discouragement, that all our effort to do what is right is the work of almighty God within us. At least for myself I am greatly encouraged when the going gets rough that any effort I make to do right is a sign of God's grace at work in me. (from Let Us Walk By the Spirit)

In explaining "working out" John Piper instructs us to be mindful that yes...

we really do work, but all our working is the fruit of enabling grace. Paul explains this in Philippians 2:12,13...We work, but when we have worked by faith in God's enabling future grace (rather than for the merit of the law), we turn around and say about our work, "My work was God's work in me, willing and "doing his good pleasure." (from Sustained By All His Grace)

In his discussion on "step #4 ACT with humble confidence in God's help" on prayer John Piper writes...

This might seem so obvious that it wouldn't need mentioning. But it does because there are some who say that since Christ is supposed to live his life through you ("I am crucified with Christ. It is no longer I but Christ who lives in me.") you should not do anything—that is, simply wait until you are, as it were, carried along by another will. Well this is simply not what the Bible teaches. The Spirit of God does not cancel out our will. The work of God does not cancel out our work. The Spirit transforms our will. And God works in us so that we can work. So Philippians 2:12,13 says, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for God is at work in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure." When you have admitted to God that you can do nothing without him, and prayed for his help and trusted his promise, then go ahead, ACT! And in that act Christ will be trusted, you will be helped, others will be served and God will get glory. (from Practical Help for Praying for Help)

F B Meyer wrote that...

it is not enough for God to stir men, they must obey. It appears that only a comparatively small number of captive Jews obeyed the Divine stirring and came out of Babylon with the chief of the fathers. The call resounds for volunteers, but only a few respond; the inspiration breathes over us, but only some are susceptible to it. God works to will and to do, but only certain of the children of men work out what He works in. Whenever there is a Divine stirring abroad, let us rise up and go.( Our Daily Homily Vol. 2, Page 168)

May F B Meyer's prayer also be our prayer beloved:

O God work in me,
not only to will
but to do of Thy good pleasure;
and may I work out in daily life
what Thou dost work in. AMEN.
(Our Daily Walk, February 17)

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Spiritual Reupholstering - Put on the new man which was created according to God. —Ephesians 4:24-note - When we moved into our home 5 years ago, we discovered that the former owner had left us six dining room chairs. They were covered with fabric of beautiful African art—tasteful zebra stripes. We appreciated the unexpected gifts and used them frequently when entertaining guests.

When we recently moved again, those chairs needed a makeover to match our new decor. So I called an upholsterer and asked, "Shouldn't we just put the new material over the existing fabric?" He responded, "No, you'll ruin the shape of the chair if you just put new material over the old."

The work of God in our lives is similar. He's not interested in merely changing our spiritual appearance. Instead, He intends to replace our character with what is called "the new man," made in the image of Christ (Ep 4:24-note). The flesh has a tendency to perform religious activity, but this is not the work of the Holy Spirit. He will completely transform us on the inside.

But the process is a partnership (Philippians 2:12,13). As we daily lay aside our old behaviors and replace them with godly ones, the God of grace works in us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

God wants to reupholster us. —Dennis Fisher (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Success is failure turned inside out.

Energy Crisis (READ: Philippians 2:12-18 )- Each day as your body performs its round of duties, it's not functioning without resources. The fact is, your body is working out what your well-supplied digestive system is working in. It's a physical law, a cooperation between supply and demand that is fundamental to healthy living.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul described a spiritual law that is similar. As we faithfully "work out" our salvation, demonstrating the reality of our faith through acts and attitudes of obedience to God's Word, we can't do it in our own energy. We must rely on God, "who works in [us] both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (2:13).

Warren Wiersbe tells of a frustrated Sunday school teacher whose class wasn't growing as it should. She wore herself out working harder and harder, yet nothing changed. Finally, after recognizing that her ministry was self-motivated and self-activated, things began to change. "I've learned to draw constantly on the Lord's power," she said, "and things are different!"

This woman still works hard as a teacher, but no longer self-sufficiently. Instead, she's learned to work out, moment by moment, what God works in. Have you? — Joanie Yoder (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Start where you are in serving the Lord,
Claim His sure promise and trust in His Word;
God simply asks you to do what you can,
He'll use your efforts to further His plan. --Anon.

You can trust God to do what you cannot do.

Your Greatest Desire - (READ: Philippians 2:12-16) The slogan "If it feels good, do it" is pure hedonism —the philosophy that pleasure is the chief good of man. Although pleasure in itself is not wrong, it can lead to moral and spiritual ruin if it is not controlled by God's Spirit.

Take the natural longing for physical, emotional, and spiritual intimacy. We all desire and need it. But if closeness is lacking in one's marriage, for example, the desire to seek it with someone else can lead to much pain and suffering. It's natural to seek pleasure and avoid pain, so it's easy to believe that if something feels right it can't be wrong. But feelings are never a reliable guide to morality.

Because all of us are sinful human beings, we need one all-encompassing good desire that is stronger than any others. When we experience God's love through faith in Jesus Christ, something wonderful is born within us —a desire to love and please God for all He has done for us. This desire may grow faint at times, especially when other passions clamor for fulfillment. But the Lord is always working in us "both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). When we realize that He always desires our good, we will want to live for His glory.

What is your greatest desire? — Dennis J. De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)