Philippians 3:3 KJV

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:1-21

It is far from irksome to the apostle to turn again to speak of "rejoicing in the Lord." Simple and elementary as is his exhortation, he is not wearied in repeating "the same things ... .. For you it is safe" he assures them. Blessed it is that most fundamentally vital things are the most simple and clear, - yet bearing the most profound results. The springs of our souls' delight must be "in the Lord" Himself: this is the one secret of all soul-prosperity. Nothing must be allowed to usurp His... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:1-21

JOY IN PRAYERS This chapter opens with a warning against the Judaizing teachers whom we have met before (Philippians 3:1-3 ), and who followed Paul everywhere teaching that the keeping of the ceremonial law of Moses was necessary to salvation. The “dogs,” the “evil workers” and the “concision” of Philippians 3:2 all refer to them, the last word being a parody of what circumcision meant in the Old Testament. These false teachers were not the true circumcision, or the true Israelites, who are... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Philippians 3:1-21

Religious Joys Php 3:1 A flower in a well-stocked garden excites no surprise. When a traveller found a flower under a glacier, he was more affected by it because it grew under the cold bosom of the ice than he would have been by the most gorgeous garden bloom. Times and places are considerations which naturally affect our estimation of men and things. This little violet of joy is growing under a glacier: Paul is in prison, daily suffering is meted out to him by the tyrant, and yet he boldly... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Philippians 3:1-16

(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. (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... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision. We Christians now use the only profitable and commendable spiritual circumcision; which , to the Colossians (ii. 11.) he calls the circumcision of Christ, and to the Romans (ii. 29.) circumcision of the heart in the spirit. --- Not having confidence in the flesh; i.e. in such carnal ceremonies. (Witham) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Philippians 3:1-11

1-11 Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prophets dumb dogs, Isaiah 56:10; to which the apostle seems to refer. Dogs, for their malice against faithful professors of the gospel of Christ, barking at them and biting them. They urged human works in opposition to the faith of Christ; but Paul calls them evil-workers. He calls them the concision; as they rent the church of Christ, and cut it to pieces. The work of religion is to no purpose, unless the heart is in... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Philippians 3:1-99

Philippians 3 THERE WAS REJOICING then both for Paul and for the Philippians as regards Epaphroditus; but as we enter upon chapter 3 we find where the truest and most permanent rejoicing lies for the Christian. God may, and indeed often does, give us to experience His mercy and make our hearts glad, yet on the other hand often He has to pass us through the valley of weeping. But even if circumstances are permitted to move against us, and sickness end fatally, the Lord Himself remains the same.... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Philippians 3:1-3

The Dangers of Judaistic Teaching. A joyful admonition changed to a warning: v. 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. v. 2. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. v. 3. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. The apostle had made the usual transition toward the close of his... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Philippians 3:1-21

V. SECTION FOURTHWarning against Judaistic teachers and wicked deceiversPhilippians 3:1 to Philippians 4:11. The disposition of these teachers in contrast with that of the Apostle(Philippians 3:1-16)(1) The Apostle warns his readers against the disposition of these false teachers, especially their pride (Philippians 3:2-7); points out plainly the opposition between righteousness which is of the law and that which is of faith (Philippians 3:8-11); declares with humility that he is yet striving... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - Philippians 3:1-3

Philippians PREPARING TO END Php_3:1-3 R.V.. The first words of the text show that Paul was beginning to think of winding up his letter, and the preceding context also suggests that. The personal references to Timothy and Epaphroditus would be in their appropriate place near the close, and the exhortation with which our text begins is also most fitting there, for it is really the key-note of the letter. How then does he come to desert his purpose? The answer is to be found in his next... read more