Chapter Three
Phil. 3:1. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.
Since the Philippians were in sorrow, not knowing what situation Paul's affairs were in, how the matter of preaching was going, what the condition of Epaphroditus' illness was, and he resolved all of this by saying that the preaching is advancing, and I am coming to you, and Epaphroditus has already been sent, the Apostle Paul says: "finally, rejoice," because there is no longer any reason not to rejoice. He calls the Galatians children, since they needed correction, but the Philippians he calls brothers, since he treats them with respect. He said well: "in the Lord," since worldly joy is not true joy, but in the Lord even sorrows bring joy. Or, since the Lord has eased our affairs, rejoice.
Phil. 3:1. To write the same things to you is not burdensome for me, and for you it is edifying.
Having prefaced many praises, he begins to make his exhortation, so as not to appear burdensome from the very start.
Phil. 3:2. Beware of dogs,
There were certain Jews who, distorting Christianity, preached the Gospel while mixing Jewish views into it. Since they could not easily be recognized, the apostle says: look out, beware, pay attention so that there are none of them among you. Previously it was the Gentiles who were called dogs, but now such Jews are, because they are shameless, insolent toward the light of truth, and slandered everyone.
Phil. 3:2. Beware of evil workers,
Here he deprives them even of the name "dogs"; because many dogs, he says, are close to the table, and also guard the houses of their masters. But these, although they do act, act for evil, and their action is far worse than inaction itself, since they destroy what has been well ordered.
Phil. 3:2. Beware of the circumcision,
That is, those who have circumcision. Circumcision was once considered great and precious among the Jews, since for its sake even the Sabbath was broken. But since it has now been abolished, it has remained nothing other than simply a cutting off of flesh, for when this action ceased to be lawful, it is nothing other than a cutting off of flesh. Or: "beware of the circumcision," that is, the Jews who were trying to divide the Church.
Phil. 3:3. For the circumcision are we, who serve God in the spirit
If, he says, one must seek circumcision, then you will find it among us, who spiritually, that is, with soul and mind, serve God. Those circumcised in soul and serving God with it — these are the ones who have the true circumcision, as much higher as the soul is higher than the body. He did not say: we have circumcision, but: we, for man himself is circumcision united with virtues. And again he did not say: in them there is circumcision, but they themselves are perdition and evil.
Phil. 3:3. and boasting in Christ Jesus, and not putting confidence in the flesh,
So then, which is better: to boast in Christ, who circumcises our hearts and through baptism raises us to the dignity of sons of God, or to boast in the flesh, that is, to take pride in fleshly circumcision only because they are children of Abraham?
Phil. 3:4. though I might also have confidence in the flesh.
If I, he says, came from the Gentiles, then someone might say that I condemn circumcision because I supposedly do not have noble Jewish descent. But now I myself, he says, have the very same thing in which you boast—hope and boasting in fleshly circumcision. So then, it is evident that I condemn circumcision not because I lack, as you say, your nobility, but for the sake of the truth itself.
Phil. 3:4. If anyone else thinks to have confidence in the flesh, I more so,
Pay attention to his wisdom: he named no one by name, so as not to arouse hatred by such speech; and by the expression "if anyone else thinks" he shows that others compelled him to such words. He said well: "thinks" – either because the Jews could not place as much hope in circumcision as he could; or because hope in circumcision is not true, but only seems so.
Phil. 3:5. Circumcised on the eighth day.
That which they especially boasted of, namely circumcision, he places first. By the expression "on the eighth day" he showed that he was not a proselyte.
Phil. 3:5. From the tribe of Israel,
That is, not from parents who were proselytes, but from the race of the Israelites themselves.
Phil. 3:5. Of the tribe of Benjamin,
That is, from the more illustrious part of the lineage; for everything pertaining to the priesthood belonged to the lot of this tribe.