What Does Apostle Paul Mean In Chapter 3 Of The Book Of Philippians

Reflection Response
In the Book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul writes tenderly to the Philippians expressing his gratitude for their gracious gift and the tender love that they have shown him. In Chapter 3, Apostle Paul expresses himself with the usage of some very colorful language which would stir the imagination if its reader by projecting vivid images from his words. For example, in verse 2, Paul said, “Beware of dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision” (Php 3:2). He uses some very harsh language in expressing his anger toward the Judaizers. They were full of religion, self-righteousness, and pride. They were teaching the Gentiles false doctrine and compelling them to become Jews by practicing Jewish traditions. Apostle Paul calls them dogs, which in that day would have been like someone spitting in their face. Dogs is a word that Jews often used when talking about Gentiles. Dogs in that day were equated to coyotes who were scavengers and fed the carcass of dead animals, garbage, and were regarded as filthy. His image is that of something unclean which a Jew’s tradition

It is a serious matter to distort God’s Word and purpose. Apostle Paul, being a Jew himself, was calling his fellow Jews dirty dogs. These legalists, religious extremists were teaching a false religion, and in verse 3, Paul called their false religion a false circumcision. He again uses colorful language calling their circumcision a mutilation of the flesh. He explains true circumcision is the circumcision of the heart whereby true believers worship God in Spirit and in Truth (Joh 4:24 KJV). Paul, in fact, is telling them they need to lose their religion and gain Christ by accepting His true circumcision of the heart. Circumcision of the heart is the only circumcision needed for