It appears that striving for salvation
is not at all short of the graceful work of God. God’s work is the basis, both of man’s will and man’s work. Thus, our salvation is the work of God from beginning to end. In our works, God is actively at work. Also compare Philippians 1:6; God started this good work with the Philippians. Ephesians 2:10 also explains that our good works are all God’s work. God works in you. This points to God’s work within man.
His good pleasure
refers to the good pleasure of God (see also Ephesians 1:5, Ephesians 1:9), that is, God’s plan of salvation. He wants to save sinful people. God does this out of free mercy, purely because he wants this.
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.