Hello Friends!
During this week’s gathering we’ll continue to work our way through the powerful book written by the “Apostle Paul” to the Philippians as we consider the perfect PERSON and wonderful WORKS willed of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent Epistle…“Do NOT Be Anxious!”
The Book of Philippians: Do NOT Be Anxious! (Chapter 3: Verses 1-6)
1Finally, 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. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless – Philippians 3:1-6
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: The hallowed HEART of what the “Apostle Paul” is saying here in this powerful passage is wholly HELPING each of “us” to soundly see WHO the true “child of God” really is without UNBIBLICAL assumptions…
Chapter 3: The PRIZE for Christian living
And within these very VEXING verses there is a distinct contrast made between TWO groups of “people” purported as such:
ONE: The doctrinally deceptive “dogs” and engaging “evil workers” among the Jewish contentious “concision” of a theologically FATAL foolishness frothed from the – FALSE Circumcision!
TWO: The sincere saints of whom “worship God” in the “Spirit” as they righteously “rejoice in Christ Jesus” and put absolutely NO conceived “confidence in the flesh” fallaciously fallen in full – FICKLE Folly!
“Paul’s” loving “letter” lauded to the “Philippians” was NOT a brash BURDEN to him as were the “epistles” expressed unto the groping “Galatians” and the carnal “Corinthian” communications of a correctional nature. Rather, here he provides three traits of CHARACTER found for group ONE and there are three traits of CHARACTER found for group TWO as such – CONTRASTING Characteristics!
REJOICE in the Lord!
“Finally” insightfully indicates that “Paul” had initially INTENDED to bring the “brethren” this excellent “epistle” exegeted to an END at this point. However, the “Holy Spirit” of our great “God” perfectly prompted him to CONTINUE this deeply dire discourse. Therefore, “Paul” calls upon the “Philippians” to rightly “rejoice” resumed in “safe” submission surmised:
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 – Philippians 3:1
HISTORICAL HINTS: There are “those” of whom CLAIM to be the chosen “children of God” and there are “those” of whom ARE alone His. There are “those” of whom are RELIGIOUS and there are “those” of whom are RIGHTEOUS before Him. Sadly, there are MANY piously professing people of whom are demonically DECEIVED concerning their right relationship unto “God” and in the case of the “church in Philippi” they were being BESIEGED by the jaundice “Jews” deceptively demanding that the “Gentiles” be corporately “circumcised” in the “flesh” fallen. These caustic “concision” had dreadfully dogged the sanctified steps of the “Apostle Paul” ever since he BEGAN to powerfully “preach” the great “gospel” of grand GRACE granted. Therefore, “Paul” is willfully WARNING the proven “Philippian” people of the “same things” in what he rankly refers to as demonic “dogs” and eerie “evil workers” of the “false circumcision” commencing – Devilish DECEPTION!
BEWARE of Dogs!
To begin with, “Paul” pulls absolutely NO purposed punches here in this very challenging chapter as he woefully WARNS the begotten “brethren” of the doctrinal “dog” dung dispensed amid “their” ranks:
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision – Philippians 3:2
“Beware of dogs” and enticing “evil workers” is this dutifully dictate depicted by the presiding “Paul” via the deplorable DEVIL deployed! The deadly DOCTRINES disposed by “these” hounds of HELL heralded throughout the narrative of the Old Testament were surely SYNONYMOUS with the fatally false satanic “shepherds” and pragmatic “prophets” of whom did NOT willingly warn their particular “people” of these fickle FIENDS nor did “they” faithfully feed their fomented “flock” fold. Incidentally, this word “concision” is a sordid SLUR on the word “circumcision” as such – CORRUPT Concision!
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: There were many religious ranking “Jews” in that era of whom “believed” that they were the perfect “people of God” and maintained a “covenant” righteous relationship with “God” of which SECURED their so-called “salvation” and eventual “eternal life” received. And the positive PROOF of their identity was a managed MARK mandate called “circumcision” as the chosen “children of Abraham” knitted naturally of which aptly AFFIRMED their regimented right to be “called” the contended “children of God” sealed supernaturally forever. And for millennia the “Jews” have continued to wholly HOLD on to that mandate. Thus, they assume that they are still SECURE with their “God” surmised and as a rank result will rightly RECEIVE the coming “kingdom” and great “glory” granted. WHY? Because of this chided circumcision” claimed…
This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant – Genesis 17:10-14
And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them anymore, because of the children of Israel. At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey. And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way. And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole – Joshua 5:1-8
To the “Jews” living at the “time” of our “Lord Jesus Christ” and even TODAY are absolutely convinced that this conceived “circumcision” is still a very IMPORTANT religious requirement regimented. WHY? Because to “them” it is the beguiled badge of their jaded “Jewishness” beheld. In fact, it has always been highly HELD to the degree that even the “Jewish” testament touted as the Talmud tells them:
"The commandment of circumcision is more important than all the other injunctions of Scripture" ~ Jewish Federation: https://www.jfedgmw.org/jewish-life/tazriametzora
In other words, the most IMPORTANT intent the “Jew” can deceptively DO to seemingly SECURE a right relationship with their “God” is through “circumcision” of the “flesh” finalized as a “sign” of His firm FAVOR upon them, so they believe. They have aggressively attached their high spiritual HOPE to this supposed “sign” for their eternal “salvation” of soul. However, it was to be an outward fleshly sure “sign” of an inward change of the “heart” planted…
If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity – Leviticus 26:40-41
Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked – Deuteronomy 10:15-16
Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings – Jeremiah 4:4
And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations – Ezekiel 44:6-7
Therefore, “Paul” warns the “Philippians” to boldly – BEWARE of Dogs!
WORSHIP God!
Then “Paul” diligently DECLARES that the true complete “circumcision” is found ONLY in those of whom “rejoice” rightly in “Christ Jesus” having absolutely “no confidence in the flesh” of the FALLEN nature:
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh – Philippians 3:3
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: “For” this certain “circumcision” is the external symbol depicting the NEED for a deep total cleansing from sordid “sin” in full. However, insolent “Israel” had rankly REDUCED it to a mere tribal tattoo of sorts with nothing of sure “sanctifying” solemn SPIRITUAL significance. Therefore, “Paul” wants the precious “Philippians” to be soundly SURE they keenly “know” the distinct difference determined…
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God – Romans 2:23-29
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature – Galatians 6:15
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ – Ephesians 2:11-13
Absolutely NO one can be eternally saved by ceremonial “circumcision” or by “keeping the law” or by obeying tailored “tradition” tantamount in “our” own fallen “flesh” frantically TRYING to please “God” somehow through the waning “works” willed in part. Rather, we desperately NEED His great glorious – GRACE Granted!
NO Fleshly Confidence!
There are those who “might” say that “Paul” had of himself NOTHING according to the “flesh” in which he could place utter “confidence” considered:
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more – Philippians 3:4
However, here he will practically PRESENT a very impressive list of assets in “whereof” he once had “trust” contained – TAINTED Trust!
RELIGIOUS Rites!
Finally, in these marvelous remarks mined from the mighty “Apostle Paul” is firmly established one of the greatest TESTIMONIES found within the New Testament narrative. It is also one of the most SIGNIFICANT statements on the matter of sure “salvation” found throughout Holy Writ. Herein lies the apt account of pious “Paul's” own dramatic ATTITUDE that had occurred in his misdirected “mind” at that “joyful” juncture in which he personally met the LIVING resurrected “Christ” Himself! This delightful discourse takes “us” into the very HEART of the “sinner's” consent in conversion of their LOST soul:
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless – Philippians 3:5-6
Thus, “we” read the overt OUTLINE of the ardent “Apostle’s” personal RELIGIOUS pedigree purported…
ONE: He was “Circumcised the eighth day” meaning he had GODLY parents who reared him according to the – Mosaic LAW!
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord – Luke 2:21-23
TWO: He was a full-blooded “Israelite” by bodily birth and was NOT a hailed half-breed heralded – Jew AND Gentile!
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed – Genesis 32:28
THREE: He was from the “tribe of Benjamin” of whom was the ONLY sure “son of Jacob” justly born in the “promised land” and was VERY special…
And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel. And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem – Genesis 35:15-19
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred – Numbers 1:37
Another famous man named “Mordecai” of whom was a “Benjamite” from the “tribe of Benjamin” through which “God” had used to prophetically PRESERVE the entire nation of “Israel” from being maniacally massacred in full…
Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite – Esther 2:5
In fact, the first KING of insolent “Israel” was named “Saul” from the brood of “Benjamin” and it is quite possible that “Paul” may have been named after – King SAUL!
And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon – 1 Kings 12:21
FOUR: He was a “Hebrew of the Hebrews” meaning that “Paul” was in the HIGHEST strata of the relentless running – RELIGIOUS Ranks!
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram – Genesis 14:13
HISTORICAL HINTS: What “Paul” is saying here "I am a Hebrew child of Hebrew parents and have maintained my tradition” as such. The dispersed “Jews” had been Sovereignly SCATTERED sordidly throughout the waning “world” including those in “Philippi” proper and were thus greatly impacted by the gargantuan Greek culture centered around them. Many of them LOST their holdened “Hebrew” language and culture along with their tradition touted. The “Jews” had also become “Hellenized“ taken from the Greek word “Hellen” of which means – The “GENTILE” People!
And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying – Acts 21:40
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day – Acts 22:3
My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee – Acts 26:4-5
FIVE: He was a “Pharisee” of whom represented the BEST bastion within “Israel” of the fundamental religious-politico party practiced – EXTREME Nationalism!
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven – Matthew 5:20
SIX: He was personally “persecuting” the chided “Christians” with an all-out FULL forced “zeal” fixated – Murderous MANDATE!
And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul – Acts 7:58
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison – Acts 8:1-3
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem – Acts 9:1-2
SEVEN: He tells of totally “touching the righteousness” regimented through the Ten Commandments themselves…
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin – Romans 7:7-14
Here “Paul” proclaims that he OUTWARDLY offered the scriptural sacrifice when he blatantly BROKE the looming “Law” by his seeded “sin” as lamented – Religious RITES!
In closing:
There is a constant CONTRAST which is introduced to “us” here as a CLEAR deeply embedded distinction between the FALSE corrupted “circumcision” and the TRUE converted “circumcision” conceived. There are “them” of whom personally PROFESS to be the pious “people of God” and are contrasted correctly with “them” of whom ARE the perfected “people of God” redeemed. There is a doctrinal distinction between “those” who are rankly RELIGIOUS and “those” who are real RIGHTEOUS recipients…
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved:)… For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them – Ephesians 2:5 & 8-10
It is a decided distinction between “they” of whom have an OUTWARD mark and “they” of whom have had an INWARD change – Saved BY Grace!
REAL REFLECTIONS: When “we” each get to know our ETERNAL Lord and God “Jesus Christ” in ever INCREASING measure…
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:6-7
The magnificent “message” penned to the Philippians makes so much “sanctifying” satisfied sense – Praise our LOVING Lord!
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
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Shane K. Morin <><
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