READ: Phil. 3:1-6: Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship [a]God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
No matter what happens to the church in Philippi, they should continue to rejoice in the Lord! They should live in fellowship with Him and find joy in that. Paul continually emphasizes this. It is the essence of faith and provides security for the congregation, which is needed now that their unity is at risk (2:1ff).
He warns them against Jewish false teachers—Christians who still insist on the necessity of circumcision. They are so adamant in this matter that Paul calls them dogs, evil workers, who turn circumcision into mutilation—a meaningless, fleshly act. By seeking salvation in physical circumcision, they deny the unique and complete redemption through Christ.
Paul calls them dogs because they accuse Christians of being dogs, while in reality, they themselves are, as they seek to destroy their fellow believers.
Paul upholds the spiritual meaning of circumcision, declaring that we—those who believe in Christ as the Savior—are the true circumcision! He clarifies this further in Rom. 2:28-29:
“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter.”
What a complete misunderstanding to place confidence in the flesh!
Who can we compare these false teachers to?
Sing: Ps. 36:3