Answer:
IMPACTING YOU
Paul wants the disunity to stop. He tells them they will have to work it out in dependent faith and obey God’s Word. They will have to make dependent decisions to do what is right, verses 12 to 13. The first big choice, verse 14, is to stop grumbling and disputing, stop complaining and arguing. But these Holy Spirit-empowered and Word-driven decisions are more than just doing what is right and glorifying God. There is a great purpose here–what is it?
The first two words of verse 15, “So that,” tell us there is a PURPOSE. Working out your salvation and guarding your mouth have two great reasons. The first is the impact on your own walk with God. Exercising your will and stopping improper talk will hopefully cultivate PROBABLE GROWTH. Paul says, “you will prove yourselves.”
That’s an interesting phrase–it literally means you might become. Paul is pointing to an expectation of growth. I like to call it the hope of growth. In this verse there’s an expectation of holiness and a desire for a greater witness for Christ.
By using this phrase, you might become, translated “you will prove yourselves,” Paul is throwing the responsibility for change on the Philippians. Paul is laying on the shoulders of Christians and churches here the expectation to obey God’s Word and give evidence they are genuinely saved. This is a powerful way to motivate others.
The verb is plural, so Paul is talking to the entire church. It is in the middle voice, putting the responsibility on these Christians to act upon themselves. And the mood is one of probability not certainty. Work out your salvation, verse 12, trust in a sovereign God, verse 13, guard your mouth from complaining against others and arguing with others, verse 14, for the purpose of personal growth, which I hope will occur.
Explanation:
