<p>2:12 <i>So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence- </i>The fact they needed exhortation to be obedient when Paul was not present with them is another hint that Paul's warm commendations of them in chapter 1 were how he wished to see things, or because he as it were shared the Lord's approach of imputing righteousness. We noted the same about his &quot;confidence&quot; in the Corinthians, when he goes on to be far less than confident in them (see on 2 Cor. 7:16).</p><p><i>Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling</i>- This exhortation is in the light of his preceding poem about the Lord's total focus upon us on the cross. This should motivate us to respond; His efforts for our salvation should elicit similar from us. The &quot;fear and trembling&quot; would more speak of our deep respect for what He has done for us, rather than any idea of our being petrified as to the outcome of judgment day. The parable of the unjust steward makes the point that in the Kingdom, the faithful will be given by Christ &quot;the true riches... that which is your (very) own&quot; (Lk. 16:12). The reward given will to some degree be totally personal. Each works out his <i>own</i> salvation, such as it will be (Phil. 2:12)- not in the sense of achieving it by works, but rather that the sort of spirituality we develop now will be the essential person we are in the eternity of God's Kingdom.</p><p>Moses' last speeches are often referred to by Paul here (e.g. Phil. 2:15 = Dt. 32:5; Phil. 2:28 = Dt. 31:16; Phil. 2:12 = Dt. 31:8,27,29). This could be a hint that the suggestion on 1:1 was correct- that Paul wrote to the Philippians at the very end of his life, facing death in prison.</p>