Philippians 3:3

King James Version (KJV)

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

We are the circumcision - We, who have embraced the faith of Christ crucified, are now entered into the new covenant, and according to that new covenant, worship God in the Spirit, exulting, καυχωμενοι, making our boast of Christ Jesus, as our only Savior, having no confidence in the flesh - in any outward rite or ceremony prescribed by the Jewish institutions.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

For we are the circumcision - We who are Christians. We have and hold the true doctrine of circumcision. We have that which was intended to be secured by this rite - for we are led to renounce the flesh, and to worship God in the spirit. The apostle in this verse teaches that the ordinance of circumcision was not designed to be a mere outward ceremony, but was intended to be emblematic of the renunciation of the flesh with its corrupt propensities, and to lead to the pure and spiritual worship of God. In this, he has undoubtedly stated its true design. They who now urged it as necessary to salvation, and who made salvation depend on its mere outward observance, had lost sight of this object of the rite. But this, the real design of circumcision, was attained by those who had been led to renounce the flesh, and who had devoted themselves to the worship of God; see the notes at Romans 2:28-29.

Which worship God in the spirit - See the notes at John 4:24; compare Genesis 17:10-14.

And rejoice in Christ Jesus - See Phlippians 3:1. That is, we have, through him, renounced the flesh; we have become the true worshippers of God, and have thus attained what was originally contemplated by circumcision, and by all the other rites of religion.

And have no confidence in the flesh - In our own corrupt nature; or in any ordinances that relate merely to the flesh. We do not depend on circumcision for salvation, or on any external rites and forms whatever - on any advantage of rank, or blood. The word “flesh” here seems to refer to every advantage which any may have of birth; to any external conformity to the law, and to everything which unaided human nature can do to effect salvation. Or none of these things can we put reliance for salvation; none of them will constitute a ground of hope.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Sincere Christians rejoice in Christ Jesus. The prophet calls the false prophets dumb dogs, Isa 56:10; to which the apostle seems to refer. Dogs, for their malice against faithful professors of the gospel of Christ, barking at them and biting them. They urged human works in opposition to the faith of Christ; but Paul calls them evil-workers. He calls them the concision; as they rent the church of Christ, and cut it to pieces. The work of religion is to no purpose, unless the heart is in it, and we must worship God in the strength and grace of the Divine Spirit. They rejoice in Christ Jesus, not in mere outward enjoyments and performances. Nor can we too earnestly guard against those who oppose or abuse the doctrine of free salvation. If the apostle would have gloried and trusted in the flesh, he had as much cause as any man. But the things which he counted gain while a Pharisee, and had reckoned up, those he counted loss for Christ. The apostle did not persuade them to do any thing but what he himself did; or to venture on any thing but that on which he himself ventured his never-dying soul. He deemed all these things to be but loss, compared with the knowledge of Christ, by faith in his person and salvation. He speaks of all worldly enjoyments and outward privileges which sought a place with Christ in his heart, or could pretend to any merit and desert, and counted them but loss; but it might be said, It is easy to say so; but what would he do when he came to the trial? He had suffered the loss of all for the privileges of a Christian. Nay, he not only counted them loss, but the vilest refuse, offals thrown to dogs; not only less valuable than Christ, but in the highest degree contemptible, when set up as against him. True knowledge of Christ alters and changes men, their judgments and manners, and makes them as if made again anew. The believer prefers Christ, knowing that it is better for us to be without all worldly riches, than without Christ and his word. Let us see what the apostle resolved to cleave to, and that was Christ and heaven. We are undone, without righteousness wherein to appear before God, for we are guilty. There is a righteousness provided for us in Jesus Christ, and it is a complete and perfect righteousness. None can have benefit by it, who trust in themselves. Faith is the appointed means of applying the saving benefit. It is by faith in Christ's blood. We are made conformable to Christ's death, when we die to sin, as he died for sin; and the world is crucified to us, and we to the world, by the cross of Christ. The apostle was willing to do or to suffer any thing, to attain the glorious resurrection of saints. This hope and prospect carried him through all difficulties in his work. He did not hope to attain it through his own merit and righteousness, but through the merit and righteousness of Jesus Christ.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

3. We. Emphatic in the Greek. The apostle contrasts himself and the Philippians with the Judaizers.

Circumcision. That is, circumcised ones. The sentence may be summarized as follows: “We are the circumcised ones who are Christians.” Is Paul saying, “We [not other Jews] are the Christian circumcised ones”? No; he is addressing Gentiles (see on v. 2). Then he must mean: “Beware of those who would circumcise you. For we are [constitute] the circumcised onesâ€”we who are Christians, who worship God in the Spirit, and have no confidence in the flesh.” This agrees with Paul’s other statements that true circumcision is spiritual, not of the flesh but of the heart, by the putting off of sin, and is available to Gentiles in Christ (Rom. 2:25-29; Col. 2:11, 13). The Gentiles saved by grace, though called uncircumcised, are no longer “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,” but citizens (Eph. 2:8-13, 19). For the relation of Gentile Christians to the Israel of the covenants, promises, and prophecies see Vol. IV, pp. 35, 36.

Worship. Gr. latreuÅÂ, “to serve,” used especially of service rendered to God (see Matt. 4:10; see on Rom. 1:25).

God. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the following reading of the clause, “who worship by the Spirit of God.”

In the spirit. See in John 4:23, 24. Those of the true circumcision offer spiritual worship to God and are not satisfied with the ordinances and traditions of men. We Christians, Paul says, have not only the true circumcision but also the only true worship.

Rejoice. Gr. kauchaomai, “to boast,” “to glory” (see on Rom. 5:2).

Have no confidence. That is, have not trusted.

In the flesh. The Judaizers, against whom Paul warns, had great confidence in their lineage and in the things they did in an effort to gain salvation. For Paul’s interpretation of the phrase “in the flesh” see Phil. 3:4-6; see on 2 Cor. 11:18; Gal. 6:13, 14. To his mind the flesh was in conflict with all that was spiritual.

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Ellen G. White
Maranatha, 147.1

Beware ... of evil workers.... For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:2, 3. Mar 147.1

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 561

None of the apostles and prophets ever claimed to be without sin. Men who have lived the nearest to God, men who would sacrifice life itself rather than knowingly commit a wrong act, men whom God has honored with divine light and power, have confessed the sinfulness of their nature. They have put no confidence in the flesh, have claimed no righteousness of their own, but have trusted wholly in the righteousness of Christ. AA 561.1

So will it be with all who behold Christ. The nearer we come to Jesus, and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly shall we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the less shall we feel like exalting ourselves. There will be a continual reaching out of the soul after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the heart before Him. At every advance step in our Christian experience our repentance will deepen. We shall know that our sufficiency is in Christ alone and shall make the apostle's confession our own: “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Romans 7:18; Galatians 6:14. AA 561.2

Let the recording angels write the history of the holy struggles and conflicts of the people of God; let them record their prayers and tears; but let not God be dishonored by the declaration from human lips, “I am sinless; I am holy.” Sanctified lips will never give utterance to such presumptuous words. AA 561.3

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