Philippians 3:1-21 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

Dangers and Hopes of the Present Situation

V. Interjected Warnings (Philippians 3:1-21)

§ 11. Philippians 3:1-6. Finally (lit. 'For the rest'), my brethren, brings the close of the letter in sight (see Intro.); the Apostle has only a few supplementary counsels to give—prefaced by the Rejoice in the Lord, which is the prevalent note of the Epistle (Philippians 1:4; Philippians 1:18; Philippians 1:26; Philippians 2:2; Philippians 2:17-18)—and to make acknowledgment of the contribution sent through Epaphroditus. But the admonition of Philippians 3:2 strikes a chord of feeling in his breast which vibrates too strongly to be soon arrested. From Philippians 3:4 onwards, Philippians 3 is a diversion in the Epistle, but such as answers its underlying purpose, since it opens St. Paul's heart to his readers and makes them more than ever 'partakers of' his 'grace' (Philippians 1:7).

The observation of Philippians 3:1; relates to Philippians 3:2-3; St. Paul is writing the same things about the seductions of Judaism that he has said or written before: this was a chronic danger to his Churches. Though Philippi contained few Jewish settlers, its situation (see Intro.) exposed this Church to the visits of Jewish emissaries. The dogs, the evil workers, the concision (mutilation) form one class of adversaries, who receive the last epithet by way of scornful play upon the boasted name of 'the circumcision.' The Abrahamic covenant-seal has become null and void for rejecters of Christ, and no better than any other 'cutting' of the body; so the Apostle transfers its name to the Church, upon which the OT. inheritance devolves: see Romans 2:25-29; Romans 4:12; Romans 11:17; Galatians 3:7; Galatians 6:16; Ephesians 2:11-19; Ephesians 3:6; Colossians 2:11-13 also Matthew 21:43. These same men are dogs, raging against and ready to devour the Apostle of the Gentiles (cp. Psalms 22:16; Psalms 22:20). ill-workers, because of their mischievous and unscrupulous activity: cp. 2 Corinthians 11:13. As in 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16, unbelieving Jews are here intended, radically opposed to the gospel; not, as in Galatians and 2 Corinthians, Christian Jews who pervert it. Jewish hostility was violent beyond measure in Macedonia: see Acts 17.

Philippians 3:1-21

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 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.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

20 For our conversationa is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.