ACC ~ Philippians 2 v13a

GOD WORKS IN YOU. CHRYSOSTOM: And when he says “with fear and trembling” see how he assuages the pain of it. For what does he say? “It is God who works in you.” “Do not be afraid,” he says, “because I said ‘with fear and trembling.’ I did not say it to make you give up, thinking virtue impossible of attainment, but so that you may carry on, so that you may not collapse.” HOMILY ON PHILIPPIANS 9.2.12-16.

FREE WILL NOT UNDERMINED. AUGUSTINE: We should not suppose, because he said, “For it is God that works in you both the willing and the doing,” that he has taken away free will. For if that were so he would not have said above “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” For when he bids them work, it is agreed that they have free will. But they are to work with fear and trembling so that they will not, by attributing the good working to themselves, be elated by the good works as though they were their own. ON GRACE AND FREE WILL 21.

Phil