In Philippians chapter three (3), Paul warns the new Philippian Christian converts to be aware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision...
(1) Who and what is Paul speaking about when he warns the church to be aware of the dogs, evil workers, and the concision? And Why was this warning important to the 1st century church, and is even more important today for the 21st century church?
(2) Also, What does Paul mean by this, "we are the circumcision?" What does any of this to do with salvation?
I'm not sure of where it says "beware of the concision "
But, I have always found verse 12 -14 interesting in that Paul (an Apostle) is saying that he is not assured of his Salvation but instead is
"...straining toward what is ahead, (14) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
It sounds like he feels that he has not yet "won the PRIZE".
2"Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus...�
12"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
(1) I believe that he is probably speaking of false teachers here. Paul speaks against false teachers throughout his letters and this interpretation fits with the context of the surrounding passage, as he goes on to talk about his own testimony and legalism. I don't know that I would say that this is any more important now. I mean, not having lived back then, it's difficult have a comparison as to the prevalence and danger of false teachers. We certainly should always be aware of false teachers and be prepared to give an accounting for our faith and to stand up for our beliefs.
(2) The issue of circumcision is referring to a legalistic following of the law. Even after the establishment of the new covenant, some people felt that righteousness was still attained through the keeping of the law. When he says "We are the circumcision," I believe that he is referring to believers becoming new creations. Verses the outward act of "faith," the mark is the hearts of believers themselves. He is saying that salvation is by faith, not through the works that are/were associated with faith.
Phi 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
Phi 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
Phi 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Notes from Matthew Henry are interesting:
"It is a needful caution he here gives: Beware of dogs, Phi_3:2. The prophet calls the false prophets dumb dogs (Isa_56:10), to which the apostle here seems to refer. Dogs, for their malice against the faithful professors of the gospel of Christ, barking at them and biting them. They cried up good works in opposition to the faith of Christ; but Paul calls them evil workers: they boasted themselves to be of the circumcision; but he calls them the concision: they rent and tore the church of Christ, and cut it to pieces; or contended for an abolished rite, a mere insignificant cutting of the flesh.
He describes true Christians, who are indeed the circumcision, the spiritual circumcision, the peculiar of people of God, who are in covenant with him, as the Old Testament Israelites were: We are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Here are three characters: - 1. They worshiped in the spirit, in opposition to the carnal ordinances of the Old Testament, which consist in meats, and drinks, and divers washings, etc. Christianity takes us off from these things, and teaches us to be inward with God in all the duties of religious worship. "
Thank God for Paul's illustrative vision of the world as it is and as it is against us.
2. They rejoice in Christ Jesus, and not in the peculiar privileges of the Jewish church, or what answers to them in the Christian church - mere outward enjoyments and performances. They rejoice in their relation to Christ and interest in him. God made it the duty of the Israelites to rejoice before him in the courts of his house; but now that the substance has come the shadows are done away, and we are to rejoice in Christ Jesus only. 3. They have no confidence in the flesh, in those carnal ordinances and outward performances. We must be taken off from trusting in our own bottom, that we may build only on Jesus Christ, the everlasting foundation. Our confidence, as well as our joy, is proper to him.
