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*** But why "fear and trembling"?***

Because of the greatness of the God we serve.

Have you ever stood near a massive waterfall and felt its power shaking the earth and air around you? Did you not feel a certain about of fear to be in the presence of such awesome power, even though from your vantage point you might have been safe?

It is a natural thing to feel fear in the presence of such things. How much more right is it to feel fear in the presence of the one who made those things, who holds the stars themselves in His hand?

Listen to what Peter has to say....

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action,[a] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." - 1st Peter.

But why "fear and trembling"? . . . Because of the greatness of the God we serve.

Your interpretation may be correct, but I am unconvinced.

I would agree that the glory, power, and majesty of God would cause one to fear and tremble. But is that what Paul is talking about?

Consider again what Paul wrote:

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12, KJV)

The key here seems to be the meaning of "work out." My dictionary gives the following definitions:

work out vt (1534)
1a : to bring about by labor and exertion [work out your own salvation—Phil 2:12 (AV)]
b : to solve (as a problem) by a process of reasoning or calculation
c : to devise, arrange, or achieve by resolving difficulties [after many years of wrangling, worked out a definite agreement—A. A. Butkus]
d : DEVELOP [the final situation is not worked out a definite agreement—Leslie Rees]
2 : to discharge (as a debt) by labor
3 : to exhaust (as a mine)

It is interesting that the first definition (1a) cites Philippians 2:12 as an example. I am inclined to agree that that is what Paul meant. Even if one of the other definitions is more apt, "work out" implies that the Philippians had to do something to bring about, devise, arrange, achieve, or develop their salvation. It was not yet assured to them.

If this interpretation is correct, then the reason for "fear and trembling" is quite clear. Until they have finished working out their salvation, they are in peril.