Philippians 3:1-3

Php_3:1-3 . A Warning.— Paul says “ Finally” although he is only half-way through his epistle; he uses the word again at Php_4:8 , though even then he adds fresh paragraphs. Some have tried to find a meaning not so suggestive of a conclusion, but the exhortation “ rejoice” that follows is a form of the Greek valediction. So plainly the apostle was about to end when new ideas crowded into his mind and he proceeded to deal with them. It is not clear what he means by “ the same things.” He may be referring to some previous letter, since lost— Polycarp speaks of Epistles to the Philippians— or perhaps only to his encouragements of rejoicing. His after-thought takes another turn. Suddenly he thinks of an attack on the faith of his beloved friends made by the Jews, whom he designates with the horrible title, “ dogs”— the very name they gave to Gentiles. Paul will not reckon them as within the pale of the true Israel. The Christians constitute his Israel because their claim is not external— mere bodily circumcision— but spiritual worship and glorying in Jesus Christ. The Jews claim to be God’ s people; but they are not, because they have neither His Spirit nor Christ. The “ dogs” are not in the Philippian church; nor can they be the Judaizing Christians who gave trouble in Galatia; they are simply Jews antagonistic to Christianity.