Philippians 2 13

Philippians 2:13 kjv

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13 nkjv

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13 niv

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

Philippians 2:13 esv

for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13 nlt

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

Philippians 2 verses

Philippians 2 13 Meaning

God is the one actively working within believers, enabling them to both will and to do according to His good pleasure. This is not a passive process but a divine empowerment that moves individuals toward fulfilling God's purposes and desires.

Philippians 2 13 Context

This verse is part of a larger exhortation in Philippians 2 for believers to live in unity, humility, and Christ-like service. Paul urges them to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12). Immediately following this call to action, Paul explains how this is possible: not by their own strength or merit, but by the divine enablement of God working within them. The context is one of practical godliness, where inner transformation leads to outward conformity to God's will, mirroring the ultimate example of Christ's selfless obedience described in the preceding verses (Phil 2:5-11). Historically, the Philippian church, though praised by Paul, faced external pressures and internal potential for division, making this reminder of their reliance on God's internal work crucial for their sustained spiritual vitality and unity.

Philippians 2 13 Word Analysis

• γάρ (gar): "for" - a conjunction introducing an explanation or reason.
• θεός (theos): "God" - the supreme being, the object of worship.
• ἐνεργῶν (energōn): Present active participle of ἐνεργέω (energeō) - "working," "effecting," "energizing." It speaks of an ongoing, dynamic, and powerful internal activity.
• ὑμῖν (hymin): Dative plural pronoun - "in you" (plural), referring to the believers at Philippi.
• τό (to): Neuter definite article - "the."
• θέλειν (thelein): Present active infinitive of θέλω (thelō) - "to will," "to desire," "to wish." This signifies the inner inclination and desire.
• καὶ (kai): "and" - a conjunction joining two phrases.
• τὸ (to): Neuter definite article - "the."
• ἐνεργεῖν (energein): Present active infinitive of ἐνεργέω (energeō) - "to work," "to effect," "to perform," "to do." This refers to the outworking or accomplishment of the will.
• εὐδοκία (eudokia): "good pleasure," "delight," "favorable will." It points to God's gracious and well-pleasing intention.

Word Group Analysis:

• "God who is working in you": This emphasizes God's sovereign, internal, and continuous activity in the lives of believers. It's not a one-time impartation but a continuous empowering.
• "to will and to do": This pair covers both the inner disposition (the desire to obey) and the outward action (the actual performance of obedience). Both originate from God's work.
• "according to His good pleasure": This links the believer's willing and doing directly to God's purposes and desires, highlighting that true obedience is aligned with what pleases God.

Philippians 2 13 Bonus Section

The Greek verb translated as "working" (ἐνεργῶν and ἐνεργεῖν) is the same root word used for the mighty power God displayed in raising Christ from the dead (Eph 1:19-20). This highlights the immense, supernatural power God unleths within believers for the purpose of sanctification and obedience. The context also recalls Christ's own statement in John 6:44, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him," underscoring that even the initial turning to God is a work of His. Philippians 2:13 is not about making believers mere automatons, but about transforming their desires and capabilities to align with God's will, making genuine, God-honoring obedience a reality through His enabling grace.

Philippians 2 13 Commentary

This verse is foundational to understanding the balance of divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the Christian life. It clarifies that while believers are called to actively participate in their faith ("work out your own salvation"), the power and the very desire to do so stem from God's active work within them. God doesn't just command; He empowers. He instills the will to obey, and then He provides the means to carry out that will. This process is entirely aligned with His benevolent purposes, His "good pleasure." It eliminates any grounds for boasting, as every aspect of salvation and subsequent obedience is God's work through His Spirit within the believer. This empowers believers to live transformed lives, characterized by Christ-like obedience and service, knowing their strength is not their own.

Practical Usage Examples:

• When facing a temptation to lie, a believer can pray, "Lord, I desire to speak the truth, but I know my will is weak. Energize me, God, to will and to do according to Your good pleasure."
• When struggling to serve others selflessly, a believer can recall that God is working in them, empowering the desire to serve and the capacity to act, even when it feels difficult.
• During times of spiritual dryness, understanding that God is still the active agent can encourage perseverance, trusting His ongoing work to revive their desire and strength.