We can observe with some bemusement how Paul did not use his revision skills so aptly in the letter to the Philippian church. When we examine the end of chapter 2, it appears Paul is about to tack a closing onto his letter. And, in that vein, at the beginning of the next chapter, our text for today, the first word is "Finally".
But, then, after admonishing the Philippians to "rejoice in the Lord", he seems to think of something that steals his joy - - - fake Christians who actively work against evangelistic efforts, specifically, his efforts to establish Christian congregations. And, he takes off on a vehement rant! (lol)
Who are these people to so inspire Paul's ire and condemnation? He speaks here of two categories of opponents, whose intent is to divide and to lure away into error gullible believers.
You have met the first group in others of Paul's letters. They were commonly called "Judaizers". These are those who formerly disdained Gentile peoples, referring to them as "dogs" not worthy of salvation, which is why Paul refers to the troublemakers as "dogs" here in verses 2-3: (All today's Scripture references are from the New English Translation - - NET.)
2Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh! 3For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials
These evil-doers had written off the entire Gentile world (which was the greatest majority of the world, for goodness' sake!), prior to Paul and others evangelizing it. As Christian missionaries spread the gospel message to non-Jewish people groups, such as the Philippians, Judaizers would come in right behind them and slap a whole bunch of Jewish tradition, rules, regulations, etc. on them in the vein of "You can't be a Christian unless you do all this Jewish rigamarole too." The chiefest of these was, of course, circumcision, which Paul specifically mentions here.
This group exalted "rules" and "behaviors" over loving relationships, which are the essence, the bedrock foundation, of the Christian walk. Paul was intimately acquainted with the "rule-worshipping life", because he had formerly lived it (vs. 5-6).
We see the second group in verses 18-19:
18For many live, about whom I have often told you, and now, with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.19Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things.
Hmmmm.......
What are the descriptors of this group of joy-killers? The over-riding characteristic is that they are more focused on earthly things than on the mission Christ has given every Christian. (I'll focus on that mission in the next post or two.) Their focus is on satisfying their own fleshly appetites, of various kinds.
We are all tempted by something, or by several somethings, even those of us who have been adopted by Jesus Christ, who are His children, His transformed saints! None of us is immune to temptation. But, this group described here as "enemies of the cross of Christ" does not belong to Jesus Christ. They worship their own selfish desires. Paul says "their god is their belly", and this has sometimes been interpreted to say that they are compulsive overeaters. While that could be one manifestation, in the larger sense, these people give in to any and every fleshly desire which comes across their paths. And worse? They rejoice in their carnality!
So, here Paul paints two extremes of ungodliness: one rejoices in their legalism and the other rejoices in their hedonism. Paul warns the Philippians to avoid both groups, as both are evil enemies who will divide churches and dampen the flame of holy, righteous joy. Although he is describing non-Christians, sometimes masquerading as Christians, Paul realizes that true believers can at times get "the stink" on them too. This is why Paul says, "Beware!" (Don't step in the dog poop!)
In the next post, we will examine the nature of the true believer in Jesus Christ. Paul does that so magnificently here in chapter 3. I can hardly wait to dig into that!
Lord God, it is so easy to "get slimed"! I thank You for holy discernment (which often I am sadly lacking) and for forgiveness and cleansing and restoration. Your saints, Your beloved need all of these to deal with "stepping in it" and getting the stink of sin on our lives. Thank you for how You pick us up, clean us up and again restore our righteous joy when we come to You all dirty and marred by the enemies of the cross. We worship You, our Savior and King! In Jesus' name, amen.
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