Philippians 2:12 Why “with fear?”

[GodIsLove]

Oh and also, I once read that the word fear in this passage properly translated is more like "awe."

But honestly even if it means fear:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. This makes sense because if we are working out our salvation we haven't yet been made perfect in love. It's a process and fear still exists until the end. I know I am constantly dealing with my own fears: facing them, succumbing to them, rising above them, giving them to God etc. it's a process.

[Cardinal]

Have you seen https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/ It is a really neat site for this type of question. You get answers pretty quickly.

What you said does make sense, the way you put it the verses are more harmonious with each other. But if the traditional translation is right, I think the reason for the harsh language is that it is typical of Judgement language. As unpleasant as fear is, it serves a purpose. We have all extorted, in one sense or another, our brothers and sisters and part of judgement is receiving the pain we gave out. Of course we are forgiven, but through the pain we get, we are healed by God (the one we also pierced). IMO   

:cloud9: The Greek word for salvation can also be rendered "deliverance", which makes more sense in the context. We do work out our own deliverance with reverence type fear, because ONLY He can remove the bands that we are bound with. 

Re the scripture about he who fears is not perfected in love: that refers back to man being in bondage to fear (the fear of dying to self) all of his days.  No greater love has any man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  When you lay down your life (ALL OF IT) for Him, THAT is what perfected love IS,  and that's why the bondage of fear of dying to self is removed.
My  :2c:  Blessings....