Philippians 3:3 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:2-3

Serious warning against errorists. The apostle, after counselling the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord, somewhat abruptly recalls the case of errorists of the Judaistic type, who, though not at Philippi, were not far from its boundaries. He deems it "safe" to give timely warning: "Beware of the dogs, of the evil-workers, of the concision." I. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JUDAIST ERRORISTS . 1 . They were " dogs " in the Jewish sense , that is , impure and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:2-3

Identity not to be found in continuity of form, but in harmony of the inner spirit. I. USELESSNESS OF OUTWARD FORMS WHEN THEIR SPIRIT HAS PASSED OUT or THEM . The Judaizing party clung to their circumcision as if it were their title to acceptance with God. St. Paul shows that, since the substance, of which circumcision was the shadow, has been bestowed upon men, to insist upon the outward form was to forfeit the reality of which it was the forecast. The truly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision . We: the apostle of the Gentiles identifies himself with the Gentiles ( 1 Corinthians 9:2 ); himself circumcised, he recognizes the great truth that they only are the true circumcision whose hearts are mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts. Which worship God in the spirit ; read, with the best manuscripts, which worship by the Spirit of God. The word λατρεία , worship, is used specially of the Jewish ceremonial service (comp. Romans 9:4 ; Luke... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision - We who are Christians. We have and hold the true doctrine of circumcision. We have that which was intended to be secured by this rite - for we are led to renounce the flesh, and to worship God in the spirit. The apostle in this verse teaches that the ordinance of circumcision was not designed to be a mere outward ceremony, but was intended to be emblematic of the renunciation of the flesh with its corrupt propensities, and to lead to the pure and spiritual worship... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philippians 3:3

Philippians 3:3. For we are the circumcision The true spiritual seed of Abraham; who have the things signified by that sign, and perform that which circumcision was designed to engage men to. We are the only people now in covenant with God, who worship God in the Spirit Not barely in the letter, or by a mere external service, in attending outward ordinances, but with the spiritual worship of reverence and fear, humility and self-abasement, adoration and praise, confidence and hope,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:1-16

3:1-21 THE WAY TO PERFECTIONPaul’s testimony (3:1-16)At this point Paul repeats warnings that he gave the Philippian church some time earlier concerning Judaisers. He calls the Judaisers ‘dogs’ because they like to ‘cut the flesh’ of people; that is, they insist that they must circumcise Gentiles before those Gentiles can be saved. The true people of God, whom Paul calls the ‘true circumcision’, are not those who have carried out a ceremony to put a mark in their bodies, but those who have... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Philippians 3:3

the circumcision . i.e. the true circumcision. Greek. peritome. Note the Paronomasia ( App-6 ) Katatome , peritome. worship . App-137 and App-190 . God. App-98 . All the texts have Theou., instead of Theo, making it dependent upon pneumati, and reading, "worship by the spirit of God", i.e. the new nature. App-101 . Compare Romans 8:9 . and rejoice = rejoicing, or glorying. Christ Jesus . App-98 . have , &c. = not ( App-105 ) trusting ( App-150 .) read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Philippians 3:3

For we are of the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.Both the Judaizers and the unbelieving Jews supported their opposition to Christianity by appealing to their circumcision as proof of their standing within the covenant of Abraham. They called themselves "the circumcision .... as proof of their right descent from Abraham and the only objects of God's favor.[13] Here Paul challenged them.We are the circumcision ...... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Philippians 3:3

Philippians 3:3. We are the circumcision,— That is, "We have that which was signified by circumcision;" for that is not circumcision which is outward in the flesh, but circumcision is that of the heart; in the spirit, and not in the letter. Romans 2:28-29. See also Colossians 2:11. Instead of, we rejoice in Christ Jesus, the Greek should be rendered, we glory, or boast in Christ Jesus, whom St. Paul considered as the spirit of the law, in contradistinction to the letter of it. So shall the sum... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Philippians 3:3

3. "We are the (real) circumcision" (Romans 2:25-29; Colossians 2:11). worship God in the Spirit—The oldest manuscripts read, "worship by the Spirit of God"; our religious service is rendered by the Spirit (John 4:23; John 4:24). Legal worship was outward, and consisted in outward acts, restricted to certain times and places. Christian worship is spiritual, flowing from the inworkings of the Holy Spirit, not relating to certain isolated acts, but embracing the whole life (John 4:24- :). In the... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Philippians 3:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Philippians 3:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Philippians 3:3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Philippians 3:1-16

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Philippians 3:3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Philippians 3:3

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Philippians 3:3

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Philippians 3:3

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