Paul abruptly shifts his tone in this third chapter of Philippians. The reason why isn’t clear, but his message is very much so.

You can see this passage in Philippians 3:2-4a:

Paul’s change in tone is very abrupt here, but not completely unusual for Paul. However, this is more abrupt than any other occurrence. The reason for his change in tone is unclear. Perhaps he was made aware of this as a new problem as he was dictating this letter.

Up until this point in his letter to the Philippians, Paul has dealt with internal problems the church in Philippi was facing. This one seems to be a threat from the outside. It is clear that this threat is Jewish in its origination, and Paul deals with it with certainty.

In this brief passage, Paul uses three very descriptive negative terms about those who are threatening the church, and then four positive descriptors of the believers.

Watch out for those dogs

The phrase “watch out” is used in all three of these negative descriptions. Most English translations do not repeat this term all three times, and as a result, we don’t see the force that Paul packs into this passage. In this first negative comment, he calls the threat dogs. Consistently, this is a negative term throughout Scripture. They were considered despicable and unclean, and the term is used frequently to describe Israel’s, and God’s, enemies.

Evildoers

This should be translated more correctly as “men who work evil.” Since the threat comes from Jews who were insisting on circumcision, the use of the idea of “works” is appropriate. Paul uses the same word to convey this picture in 2 Corinthians 11:13 as well.

Those who mutilate the flesh

Paul is referring to circumcision here but he does not call it as such. His word of choice is “mutilation.” Paul does not disagree with the practice of circumcision. He has Timothy circumcised in Acts 16:3. What Paul disagrees with here is the teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation. In fact, the word Paul uses in place of circumcision means “cutting,” a practice that was prohibited to Jews, according to Leviticus 21:5.

At this point, Paul moves his focus to the believers in Philippi, and to the church as a whole.

We are the circumcision

Paul stresses that circumcision still marks the people of the covenant, but in a different way than the Judaizers taught. The church is the new Israel, and so circumcision is given a new, inner meaning, which Paul describes in detail in Romans 2:25-29.

Who worship by the Spirit of God

This is one of the identifying marks of the believer. Our worship is intensely spiritual, and not merely external. Our worship must be “in spirit and in truth,” and come from a “broken and contrite heart.”

And glory in Christ Jesus

This phrase conveys the idea of exulting in Christ Jesus. Where we have no reason to boast on our own, we can gladly boast in what Christ has done on our behalf. Boasting on our own behalf is sin. But exulting in the finished work of Christ on the cross brings glory to his name.

Put no confidence in the flesh

The Jewish distraction that Paul is speaking out against in this passage were putting all their confidence in the flesh, in the act of circumcision, to save them. This stands in stark contrast with the true believer, who places his full trust, or confidence, in the Savior.

Finally, Paul gives a personal reference to drive home his point. If anyone had the opportunity to place their confidence in the works of the flesh, Paul did. Paul’s Jewish heritage gave him a position that was enviable among his people. But placing his trust in such achievements would be to deny true confidence in Christ.

And Paul turns to his list of accomplishments in the next few verses to prove his point.

Question: In what, or who, do you place your trust? Are you tempted to trust in something other than Christ? You can leave a comment by clicking here.