From Philippians: Dogs, Evil Workers, and the True Circumcision
Orientation
Many religious teachers use the language of grace while actually promoting a system of self-improvement and works, creating a false gospel that brings bondage.
- False teachers are called 'dogs,' 'evil workers,' and 'the concision' because they corrupt the gospel.
- They rely on fleshly works and legalism, leading to division and spiritual failure.
- Their teaching is a direct assault on the sufficiency of Christ and the believer's freedom.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
— Philippians 3:2
Clarification
True grace is not a theological concept to be studied, but a reality that removes the burden from us and places it entirely on Christ.
- Speaking about grace without experiencing its liberating power results in empty, legalistic jargon.
- God Himself trains believers in both language and life to understand grace correctly.
- The 'language of Christ' is revelatory, expressing spiritual realities that natural thought cannot reach.
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
— Philippians 3:3
Structure
The biblical pattern of circumcision signifies cutting off reliance on the flesh, pointing to justification by faith alone as seen in Abraham's covenant.
- Ishmael, born of fleshly effort, represents law-righteousness and failure.
- Isaac, the promised seed born by faith, represents the fulfillment of God's promise.
- The 'true circumcision' are those who, like Abraham, trust God's promise alone, not human works.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
— Galatians 6:15
Weight-Bearing Prose
Pauline revelation defines the conflict as between flesh and spirit, law and grace. The ‘dogs,’ ‘evil workers,’ and ‘concision’ represent a false ministry rooted in the flesh—human effort, religious ritual, and law-keeping. This is not a secondary issue but a corruption of the gospel itself, leading believers to fall from grace (Galatians 5:4). Justification has always been by faith alone, as established in the Abrahamic covenant where the promise was given to the seed, Christ, and received by faith (Galatians 3:16). Any reliance on fleshly qualification—whether circumcision, law-keeping, or moral improvement—nullifies grace and severs one from Christ. The true ministry, revealed to Paul, declares believers to be the ‘true circumcision.’ This is not a physical act but a spiritual reality: our old man, our confidence in the flesh, was cut off in Christ’s death. Our worship, joy, and confidence are now in Christ alone, not in ourselves. This is the foundation for all spiritual life and fruitfulness.
Integration
Your standing before God is secure because it rests entirely on Christ. He is your righteousness, your sanctification, and your reward. The work of cutting off the flesh was accomplished in Him; your part is simply to agree with God’s testimony about His Son. There is no pressure to advance or mature through your own efforts. Christ is your life. Any sense of burden or bondage is a sign you have listened to a different voice. Return to the anchor: you are in Christ, a new creation. The inheritance is yours by promise, not by performance. Rest here. This is your safe landing place, where the noise of demands ceases and the assurance of His finished work speaks peace.