Paul is at his strongest and most pointed in Philippians 3:2.
“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.”
Why is he so strong, so blunt, and so harsh?
In Philippians and in Galatians and in Romans Paul in dealing with a belief some Jews held that believers in Christ had to be circumcised. Paul will have none of it.
It wasn’t a simple problem. It had seriously infiltrated the church. And it went against what the central tenant of the gospel, that we are saved by grace, through faith that Jesus took our place on the cross and that he rose from the grave. In other words, it is a spiritual felony to add circumcision as a requirement to be saved. We are saved by faith in Jesus, not a physical act done to the male body.
Dogs: This term can have two potent meanings. The Jews often called non-jews dogs. It was derogatory and it was meant to be blunt. Now Paul uses the term back against the Jews. These Jews felt superior because it was part racial to them. Circumcision came from the jews, and to force people to be circumcised enhanced jewish identity. But because of Jesus, the church was no longer Jewish centered. It was now Christ-centered. They are dogs for having an inferior and incorrect and corrupting belief and practice. Second, dogs were scavengers, ill-tamed, often wild and sometimes feared. Paul is saying these jews are behaving like unwanted dogs.
Evildoers: It is evil to go against God. It is evil to alter the gospel. And it is evil to push or ask or demand believers in Christ to do something God does not require.
Those who mutilate the flesh: Circumcision has been done away with. Why? Because faith in Jesus’ death for us on the cross and His resurrection is what saves us. Circumcision, as a religious requirement, is a forced and spiritually harmful mutilation.
Wow! Paul is strong. But it is good to see Paul and Peter and John and Jesus himself be strong. We need to be reminded some issues can do great and lasting spiritual harm, not only to individuals, but also to churches.
The Men's Bible Reading Idea 