Philippians 3:3 kjv
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 nkjv
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
Philippians 3:3 niv
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh?
Philippians 3:3 esv
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh ?
Philippians 3:3 nlt
For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,
Philippians 3 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Phil 3:3 | ...who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. | Immediate context |
| Gal 4:29 | But just as he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. | Flesh vs. Spirit |
| John 4:23-24 | Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. | Spiritual worship |
| Rom 8:4-11 | ...that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. | Walking in the Spirit |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, righteousness, holiness and redemption. | Christ our wisdom/right |
| Phil 3:8-9 | More than that, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have lost all things, and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. | Righteousness by faith |
| Rom 15:16-17 | ...so that by Christ Jesus I might be a minister of the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. So I can proudly boast in Christ Jesus. | Boasting in Christ |
| Phil 3:4-6 | though I myself have grounds for confidence in the flesh also. If any other man thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. | Grounds in flesh vs. Christ |
| Rom 2:28-29 | For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. | Inner vs. outer |
| Col 2:11 | In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ. | Spiritual circumcision |
| Heb 4:10 | For whoever enters God's rest also rests from his works as God did from his. | Rest in God's work |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Fruit of the Spirit |
| Eph 2:11-13 | Therefore remember that formerly you were Gentiles in the flesh... But now in Christ Jesus you who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. | Brought near by Christ |
| 2 Cor 5:17 | Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. | New Creation |
| Acts 17:24-25 | The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by hand, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to alleath, and breath, and all things. | God not limited to temples |
| Phil 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. | Rejoice in the Lord |
| Rom 8:1 | There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. | No condemnation |
| Gal 5:1 | For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. | Freedom in Christ |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. | Spiritual Priesthood |
| Isa 57:15 | For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the contrite, and to revive the heart of the repentant." | God with the contrite |
Philippians 3 verses
Philippians 3 3 Meaning
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 3 3 Context
Philippians 3 is a pivotal chapter where Paul contrasts true righteousness in Christ with the "perfectionism" and self-righteousness derived from strict adherence to the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision. Having just detailed his own impeccable credentials as a Jew (vv. 4-6), Paul then dismisses them as "rubbish" (v. 8) for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Verse 3 introduces the positive affirmation of what constitutes true believers – those who belong to the "circumcision." This is not a literal, physical act but a spiritual reality. The letter's overall theme is joy in Christ, even amidst suffering, and Paul is encouraging the Philippian believers to stand firm in their faith, which is rooted in Christ alone, not in any external religious markers or human achievement. The context points to a likely internal struggle within the church, or external pressure from Jewish legalists, emphasizing the importance of a Christ-centered identity.
Philippians 3 3 Word Analysis
- For (γαρ, gar): A conjunction introducing a reason or explanation.
- we (ἡμεῖς, hēmeis): The first-person plural pronoun, referring to Paul and the true believers he is addressing.
- are (ἐσμὲν, esmen): The present indicative of εἰμί (eimi), meaning "to be." Indicates a state of being or identity.
- the (οἱ, hoi): The definite article, masculine plural nominative.
- circumcision (περιτομὴν, peritomēn): The accusative form of περιτομή (peritomē). Refers to circumcision. In this context, it's spiritual circumcision, not the physical rite. It denotes the people of God by an inner transformation.
- Significance: Paul deliberately redefines circumcision from a physical marker of Jewish identity to a spiritual reality indicating a radical inner purification and dedication to God, as foreshadowed in the Old Testament (Deut 10:16; Jer 4:4).
- who (οἵ, hoï): Relative pronoun introducing a descriptive clause about "the circumcision."
- worship (λατρεύοντες, latreuontes): The present active participle of λατρεύω (latreúō), meaning to serve, minister to, or worship. This refers to religious service and devotion.
- Significance: This term carries the weight of devoted service, not just outward formality but inward commitment, often used for priestly service.
- God (θεῷ, theō): The dative case of θεός (theos), meaning God.
- in (ἐν, en): A preposition indicating in, by, or through.
- the (τῷ, tō): The definite article, neuter dative singular.
- Spirit (πνεύματι, pneumati): The dative case of πνεῦμα (pneuma), meaning Spirit or wind. Refers to the Holy Spirit.
- Significance: True worship and life are enabled and experienced through the indwelling power and presence of the Holy Spirit, distinct from ritualistic or external forms.
- rejoice (καυχώμενοι, kauchōmenoi): The present middle participle of καυχάομαι (kaucháomai), meaning to boast, glory, or rejoice in.
- Significance: This points to a deep, settled joy and confidence, an outward expression of inner satisfaction found in Christ.
- in (ἐν, en): Preposition.
- Christ (Χριστῷ, Christō): The dative case of Χριστός (Christos), meaning Christ.
- Jesus (Ἰησοῦ, Iēsou): The genitive case of Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous), Jesus. Here, "in Christ Jesus," indicating belonging to and union with Christ.
- and (καὶ, kai): Conjunction.
- have (ἔχοντες, echontes): The present active participle of ἔχω (echō), meaning to have or hold.
- no (οὐ, ou): A negative particle.
- confidence (ἐν, en) + (τῇ, tē) + (σαρκί, sarki): Sarx (flesh) is the dative case of σάρξ (sarx). The phrase literally translates to "in the flesh."
- Significance: "Flesh" here represents human nature in its fallen state, relying on external achievements, self-effort, human lineage, or legalistic righteousness. It is contrasted with dependence on the Spirit and Christ.
- in (ἐν, en): Preposition.
- the (τῇ, tē): Definite article, feminine dative singular.
- flesh (σαρκί, sarki): The dative case of σάρξ (sarx), meaning flesh.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "who worship God in the Spirit": This highlights the internal, spiritual nature of true worship, empowered by the Holy Spirit, transcending outward rituals. It echoes John 4:23-24, where Jesus speaks of worshipping in spirit and truth.
- "rejoice in Christ Jesus": This emphasizes the source of true exultation. It's not about circumstances or personal accomplishments, but the ongoing delight and secure identity found in one's union with Jesus Christ. It connects to Paul's constant theme of finding all things in Christ.
- "have no confidence in the flesh": This is a crucial negative statement. It signifies a radical abandonment of reliance on human merit, physical circumcision, ethnic heritage, or adherence to the Law as a means of gaining approval from God. Paul's own testimony in verses 4-6 starkly illustrates what he is renouncing.
Philippians 3 3 Bonus Section
This verse stands as a polemic against Judaizers or anyone promoting a righteousness achieved through works of the Law or physical rituals for salvation or superior standing with God. Paul consistently dismantles the idea that external religious observances provide merit before God. He is clear that the work of the Holy Spirit in transforming the believer, and their resulting devotion and joy in Christ, are the true marks of God's people. The concept of spiritual circumcision is foundational to understanding Paul’s redefinition of identity in Christ, moving beyond ethnic and ceremonial distinctions.
Philippians 3 3 Commentary
The believers in Philippi, like all genuine followers of Christ, are identified not by outward physical marks or ethnic descent, but by a radical inward transformation. True "circumcision" is of the heart, accomplished by the Spirit of God, signifying a complete dedication to God. Their worship is not performed through external rituals alone but flows from a deep connection with God, energized by the Holy Spirit. Their supreme joy and boasting are found not in personal achievements, legalistic observance, or human status, but solely in their union with Jesus Christ. This position in Christ is what provides true righteousness, acceptance with God, and a secure identity, freeing them from any dependence on their own efforts or religious performance. The believer’s confidence rests entirely on what Christ has done, not what they can do.