Watch Out!

"Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—" Philippians 3:2-3 TNIV 

Paul is warning these people he loves about some others who would under cut their faith. The word used here and translated "dogs" is a word with a double meaning. The first meaning is "male prostitutes." The second understanding of the word is more likely what Paul was using here. This is the word that the Jews of the day would call anyone who was from another race of people. We see it used in the incident of the Canaanite woman from the region of Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 15:21-28). When the woman asked Jesus to heal her daughter, Jesus said He had only come to the "lost sheep of Israel." When the woman persisted, He said, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs." Then she replied, "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Jesus then healed the woman's daughter and said "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." So we see it was in common use in this way. So I believe it is the way Paul is using the word.

He is turning the tables on those who would add to the simplicity of grace and truth in saying these people, as gentiles, needed to be circumcised. Paul said to watch out for these teachers because what they are doing is just mutilating people. Circumcision in the flesh does not mean a person is circumcised in heart.

The truth of grace, saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) is revolutionary - it was then and it is now. People are always, in genuine attempts to help others, adding to the "necessaries" of salvation. The grace thing is given lip-service, but seldom taught and seldom lived in fullness. Paul said, watch out for those who "add to." Then he says, "For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by His Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh --" Those who believe in Christ, who allow Him to live in them -- those who receive by grace through faith in their inner being, they are the true circumcision. They have been circumcised in heart by the Holy Spirit. "In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your sinful nature was put off when you were circumcised by Christ..." (Colossians 2:11) This is the critical piece - the circumcised heart by the Holy Spirit.

He adds two other items as to who these people of the true circumcision are. We will work with those tomorrow, or at least one of them. Until then... blessings!