In the third chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Philippians, the apostle put forth (to the readers) a threefold warning.
“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.”
–Philippians 3:2
Although those words may sound a bit odd today, in Paul’s time, they were well understood by his listeners.
Here is the way one commentator put it YEARS AGO.
Philippians 3:2 Php 3:2
Beware of dogs, So the Jews, by way of contempt, used to style all heathens: and now, as a just return for their contentions and obstinate opposition to the true religion, the Apostles, St. Paul and St. John, retort it upon themselves. See Re 22:15; Ps 22:16. Pyle.
Perhaps the unbelieving Jews are called “dogs,” to signify that in the sight of God they were now become as abominable for crucifying Christ and persecuting his Apostles, as the idolatrous heathens were in the sight of the Jews. In Re 22:15 the atrociously wicked are called “dogs.” Dr. Macknight.
— beware of evil workers, For they labor only to pull down God’s building, and to destroy the church of Christ. Elsewhere he styles them “deceitful workers,” 2Co 11:13. Dr. Whitby.
— beware of the concision, By this name St. Paul calls the Jewish teachers, who were not only circumcised themselves, but now, after the coming of Christ, taught that the outward circumcision of the flesh was necessary to salvation, whilst they were at the same time destitute of the circumcision of the heart. Parkhurst.
–BRITISH FAMILY BIBLE NOTES
Beware the concision.
Back in the day, ‘concision’ almost EXCLUSIVELY had to do with ‘circumcision’ and the way false Jews came to view that rite as an automatic way of life–INSTEAD of it being a part of a covenant which had been updated by Christ’s resurrection.
The MODERN definition of ‘concision’ MOSTLY has to do with being CONCISE and using no more words than are necessary.
Paul’s warning was to his church to watch out for those who claimed to be Jews because they had the OUTWARD sign of circumcision of the flesh.
He called this cutting of the flesh “the concision” and likened it to those parts of the law which forbid ‘cuttings of the flesh.’
Such as tattoos and the like.
ALL of this is what Paul was referring to when he warned to “Beware of the concision” in Philippians 3:2.
“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.”
–Philippians 3:2
HAS the reader ever wondered about ‘the concision?’
WAS the reader even aware of Paul’s warning?
It is not YET too late: there is still a LITTLE time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: August 10, 2022.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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