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From: Philippians 3:3-8a

A Warning About Judaizers

[3] For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in
Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh. [4] Though I myself have rea-
son for confidence in the flesh also. If any other man thinks he has reason for
confidence in the flesh, I have more: [5] circumcised on the eighth day, of the
people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the
law a Pharisee, [6] as to zeal a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness
under the law blameless.

The Righteousness of God Is Better Than That of the Law

[7] But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. [8] Indeed
I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ
Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count
them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ.

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Commentary:

2-3. It was quite common for Roman houses to have a notice at the entrance
which read “Cave canem”, Beware of the dog. St Paul uses these words as a
colorful way of telling the Philippians to be on their guard against Judaizers —
“evilworkers” who instead of helping to build Christ’s building were demolishing
it.

In the Old Testament circumcision showed that one belonged to the people of
Israel; it guaranteed the promises of salvation made by God on Sinai. The Judai-
zers were arguing that all Gentiles who came to the faith should first be circum-
cised. The Apostle calls them “those who mutilate the flesh”, because the cir-
cumcision they were promoting was something purely external, to do with the
flesh, whereas after Christ the only true circumcision is an internal one, circum-
cision of the heart, the work of the Holy Spirit, which is effected by Baptism (cf.
Rom 2:28-29).

4-11. St Paul had no opposition in Philippi; the Philippians in fact, were exem-
plary in their conduct. But prudence leads him to warn them about those who
have been causing trouble in other churches, just in case they venture into Phi-
lippi also. His adversaries cannot argue that he is ignorant of the Law and the
traditions of the chosen people. Just as on another occasion he felt he had to
make it known that he was a Roman citizen (cf. Acts 16:37; 22:25-29), now be-
cause he thinks it will help the spread of the Gospel, he spells out his Jewish
pedigree (cf. 2 Cor 11:22).

Similarly, it is not only lawful for a Christian to claim his civic rights or those
connected with his family or work position: justice or the common good may
demand that he exercise them.

8. St Paul has a great love for his people. In Romans he shows that he would be
ready to accept any sacrifice “for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen of the
flesh” (Rom 9:3f). However, he recognizes that everything in which he gloried be-
fore his conversion is worthless in comparison with the grace of knowledge of
Christ: that is the hidden treasure, the precious pearl referred to in Gospel para-
bles (cf. Mt 13: 44-46). For “once a person experiences the riches of Christ the
Lord, he looks down on everything else: property, wealth and honors he views as
filth. For there is nothing that can compare with that supreme treasure, nothing
that can be placed beside it” (”St Pius V Catechism”, IV, 11, 15).

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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.