Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, [Philippians 3:1-3 NKJV]
At first glance verse 1 sounds just like the oft-quoted Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" In fact, the context is very different. The emphasis is not on the word, "rejoice", but on "the Lord."
Paul is making a contrast; rejoice in the Lord, not in the Law or the flesh. It is a warning! His word usage is very specific and deliberate.
He said, "Beware of dogs." "Dog" is the term the Jews used for Gentiles. Not cute little puppies, or Yorkies, or Labs. We're talking about mongrels; dirty, feral packs of dogs that root through the garbage and prey on the weak. Paul takes the term and turns it around on the Judaisers who claim faith in Jesus, but then insist that the Gentiles be converted to Judaism, and adhere to the Law.
He calls them "evil workers." He does not mean evil-doers. He means those who preach a salvation by works, and insist that others follow them in their works. They deny the grace of God, and replace faith with works. He calls these people evil.
He says "beware of the mutilation." In the Greek language, this is a play on words. The Greek, "peritome" means "circumcision". "katatome" means "mutilation". It refers to the practice of cutting the flesh, which was a practice of the heathens;
And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. [1 Kings 18:27-28 NKJV]
Circumcision was given to Abraham to seal a promise. Under Moses, it was given to the nation of Israel as a seal of the Covenant. These seals were in the flesh. What began as a promise became the symbol of national identity. Then it became - to them - a requirement for the worship of God.
Under the New Covenant, we are no longer sealed in the flesh by circumcision. Instead, we are given the Holy Spirit as a seal in our hearts;
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, [Ephesians 1:13 NKJV]
Jesus said,
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” [John 4:23-24 NKJV]
The imagery Paul uses is offensive. Let there be no doubt that compromise is not an option. Beware of them!
Just as the Jews trusted in the ritual of circumcision, it is easy for us as Christians to trust in rituals and traditions of our own.
For example, some practice Communion (or the Eucharist) as a part of their sanctification. But Communion doesn't save nor sanctify. The rite of Communion does not bring you into communion with God. Jesus said, "do this in remembrance of Me.” [Luke 22:19 NKJV] It is a reminder of the redemptive work of Jesus. It is not the redemptive work itself.
Likewise with baptism. Baptism doesn't cleanse us, or wash away our sins, or save us. If you are not already saved and cleansed of sin, then baptism is nothing more than a bath. It is a public testimony of the spiritual reality that you have died to your old life and have been raised again to new life in Christ.
Therefore we rejoice, not in the flesh, not in religion, and not in our rituals, but in the Lord; for He has saved us by His grace.
Lord, I thank You for Your free gift of salvation. Thank You for Your Spirit, who has sealed my salvation, and empowered me to live in it. Thank You that I don't need to rely on my own righteousness or strength.
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