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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to work." "If He does Himself work in us to will, how dost thou exhort us? for if He works Himself even the will, the words, which you speak to us, have no meaning, 'that ye have obeyed'; for we have not 'obeyed'; it is without meaning that thou sayest, 'with fear and trembling'; for the whole is of God." It was not for this that I said to you, "for it is He that worketh in you both to will and to work," but my object was to relieve your anxiety. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Having said "with fear and trembling," the apostle now says: do not be troubled by this. I said this not so that you would retreat from good, but so that you would be more attentive, because if you are diligent, God will accomplish everything in you. For He Himself gives us both the disposition toward good and brings the very doing of good to completion. God produces in us the willing, that is, He assists us in desiring good and strengthens our good will and at the same time arouses its zeal. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
It is certain that it is we that will when we will, but it is He who makes us will what is good, of whom it is said (as he has just now expressed it), "The will is prepared by the Lord." Of the same Lord it is said, "The steps of a man are ordered by the Lord, and his way doth He will." Of the same Lord again it is said, "It is God who worketh in you, even to will!" It is certain that it is we that act when we act; but it is He who makes us act, by applying efficacious powers to our will, who has said, "I will make you to walk in my …
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, for God is at work in you, both to will and to work, he strengthens their confidence, and he excludes four false opinions: the first is the opinion of those who believe that man can be saved by his own free will without God's help. Against this he says: For God is at work in you, both to will and to work: "The Father who dwells in me does his works" (Jn. 14:10); "Apart from me you can do nothing" (Jn. 15:5). …
Bonaventure
The fear of God avails for obtaining the influx of divine grace. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to accomplish according to his good will." We cannot have the grace of God except through the fear of God, because "the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon those who fear him." No one receives the grace of God unless he fears God.
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