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Selected Verse: Philippians 3:3 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Php 3:3 |
Strong Concordance |
For [1063] we [2249] are [2070] the circumcision [4061], which [3588] worship [3000] God [2316] in the spirit [4151], and [2532] rejoice [2744] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424], and [2532] have [3982] no [3756] confidence [3982] in [1722] the flesh [4561]. |
| |
King James |
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
"We are the (real) circumcision" (Rom 2:25-29; Col 2:11).
worship God in the Spirit--The oldest manuscripts read, "worship by the Spirit of God"; our religious service is rendered by the Spirit (Joh 4:23-24). Legal worship was outward, and consisted in outward acts, restricted to certain times and places. Christian worship is spiritual, flowing from the inworkings of the Holy Spirit, not relating to certain isolated acts, but embracing the whole life (Rom 12:1). In the former, men trusted in something human, whether descent from the theocratic nation, or the righteousness of the law, or mortification of "the flesh" ("Having confidence," or "glorying in the flesh") [NEANDER] (Rom 1:9).
rejoice in Christ Jesus--"make our boast in Christ Jesus," not in the law: the ground of their boasting.
have no confidence in the flesh--but in the Spirit. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For we are the circumcision - We who are Christians. We have and hold the true doctrine of circumcision. We have that which was intended to be secured by this rite - for we are led to renounce the flesh, and to worship God in the spirit. The apostle in this verse teaches that the ordinance of circumcision was not designed to be a mere outward ceremony, but was intended to be emblematic of the renunciation of the flesh with its corrupt propensities, and to lead to the pure and spiritual worship of God. In this, he has undoubtedly stated its true design. They who now urged it as necessary to salvation, and who made salvation depend on its mere outward observance, had lost sight of this object of the rite. But this, the real design of circumcision, was attained by those who had been led to renounce the flesh, and who had devoted themselves to the worship of God; see the notes at Rom 2:28-29.
Which worship God in the spirit - See the notes at Joh 4:24; compare Gen 17:10-14.
And rejoice in Christ Jesus - See Phi 3:1. That is, we have, through him, renounced the flesh; we have become the true worshippers of God, and have thus attained what was originally contemplated by circumcision, and by all the other rites of religion.
And have no confidence in the flesh - In our own corrupt nature; or in any ordinances that relate merely to the flesh. We do not depend on circumcision for salvation, or on any external rites and forms whatever - on any advantage of rank, or blood. The word "flesh" here seems to refer to every advantage which any may have of birth; to any external conformity to the law, and to everything which unaided human nature can do to effect salvation. Or none of these things can we put reliance for salvation; none of them will constitute a ground of hope. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
The circumcision
The abstract term for those who are circumcised. In the Old Testament, circumcision was a metaphor for purity. See Lev 26:41; Deu 10:16; Deu 30:6; Eze 44:7, etc.
Worship God in the spirit (πνεύματι Θεῷ λατρεύοντες)
The correct reading is θεοῦ of God. Render, as Rev., worship by the Spirit of God. Worship. See on Rev 22:3. Paul uses the Jews' word which denoted their own service of Jehovah as His peculiar people. Compare Act 26:7. A Jew would be scandalized by the application of this term to Christian worship.
Rejoice in Christ Jesus (καυχώμενοι)
Rev., better, glory. Compare Jer 9:23, Jer 9:24, and Co1 1:31; Co2 10:17.
In the flesh
External privileges of every kind. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| For we - Christians. Are the only true circumcision - The people now in covenant with God. Who worship God in spirit - Not barely in the letter, but with the spiritual worship of inward holiness. And glory in Christ Jesus - As the only cause of all our blessings. And have no confidence in the flesh - In any outward advantage or prerogative. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| We are the circumcision - We, who have embraced the faith of Christ crucified, are now entered into the new covenant, and according to that new covenant, worship God in the Spirit, exulting, καυχωμενοι, making our boast of Christ Jesus, as our only Savior, having no confidence in the flesh - in any outward rite or ceremony prescribed by the Jewish institutions. |
9 For [1063] God [2316] is [2076] my [3450] witness [3144], whom [3739] I serve [3000] with [1722] my [3450] spirit [4151] in [1722] the gospel [2098] of his [846] Son [5207], that [5613] without ceasing [89] I make [4160] mention [3417] of you [5216] always [3842] in [1909] my [3450] prayers [4335];
1 I beseech [3870] you [5209] therefore [3767], brethren [80], by [1223] the mercies [3628] of God [2316], that ye present [3936] your [5216] bodies [4983] a living [2198] sacrifice [2378], holy [40], acceptable [2101] unto God [2316], which is your [5216] reasonable [3050] service [2999].
23 But [235] the hour [5610] cometh [2064], and [2532] now [3568] is [2076], when [3753] the true [228] worshippers [4353] shall worship [4352] the Father [3962] in [1722] spirit [4151] and [2532] in truth [225]: for [2532] [1063] the Father [3962] seeketh [2212] such [5108] to worship [4352] him [846].
24 God [2316] is a Spirit [4151]: and [2532] they that worship [4352] him [846] must [1163] worship [4352] him in [1722] spirit [4151] and [2532] in truth [225].
11 In [1722] whom [3739] also [2532] ye are circumcised [4059] with the circumcision [4061] made without hands [886], in [1722] putting off [555] the body [4983] of the sins [266] of the flesh [4561] by [1722] the circumcision [4061] of Christ [5547]:
25 For [1063] circumcision [4061] verily [3303] profiteth [5623], if [1437] thou keep [4238] the law [3551]: but [1161] if [1437] thou be [5600] a breaker [3848] of the law [3551], thy [4675] circumcision [4061] is made [1096] uncircumcision [203].
26 Therefore [3767] if [1437] the uncircumcision [203] keep [5442] the righteousness [1345] of the law [3551], shall [3049] not [3780] his [846] uncircumcision [203] be counted [3049] for [1519] circumcision [4061]?
27 And [2532] shall not [2919] uncircumcision [203] which is by [1537] nature [5449], if it fulfil [5055] the law [3551], judge [2919] thee [4571], who by [1223] the letter [1121] and [2532] circumcision [4061] dost transgress [3848] the law [3551]?
28 For [1063] he is [2076] not [3756] a Jew [2453], which is one outwardly [1722] [5318]; neither [3761] is that circumcision [4061], which is outward [1722] [5318] in [1722] the flesh [4561]:
29 But [235] he is a Jew [2453], which is one inwardly [1722] [2927]; and [2532] circumcision [4061] is that of the heart [2588], in [1722] the spirit [4151], and not [3756] in the letter [1121]; whose [3739] praise [1868] is not [3756] of [1537] men [444], but [235] of [1537] God [2316].
1 Finally [3063], my [3450] brethren [80], rejoice [5463] in [1722] the Lord [2962]. To write [1125] the same things [846] to you [5213], to me [1698] indeed [3303] is not [3756] grievous [3636], but [1161] for you [5213] it is safe [804].
10 This is my covenant [01285], which ye shall keep [08104], between me and you and thy seed [02233] after thee [0310]; Every man child [02145] among you shall be circumcised [04135].
11 And ye shall circumcise [05243] the flesh [01320] of your foreskin [06190]; and it shall be a token [0226] of the covenant [01285] betwixt me and you.
12 And he that is eight [08083] days [03117] old [01121] shall be circumcised [04135] among you, every man child [02145] in your generations [01755], he that is born [03211] in the house [01004], or bought [04736] with money [03701] of any stranger [01121] [05236], which is not of thy seed [02233].
13 He that is born [03211] in thy house [01004], and he that is bought [04736] with thy money [03701], must needs [04135] be circumcised [04135]: and my covenant [01285] shall be in your flesh [01320] for an everlasting [05769] covenant [01285].
14 And the uncircumcised [06189] man child [02145] whose [0834] flesh [01320] of his foreskin [06190] is not circumcised [04135], that soul [05315] shall be cut off [03772] from his people [05971]; he hath broken [06565] my covenant [01285].
24 God [2316] is a Spirit [4151]: and [2532] they that worship [4352] him [846] must [1163] worship [4352] him in [1722] spirit [4151] and [2532] in truth [225].
28 For [1063] he is [2076] not [3756] a Jew [2453], which is one outwardly [1722] [5318]; neither [3761] is that circumcision [4061], which is outward [1722] [5318] in [1722] the flesh [4561]:
29 But [235] he is a Jew [2453], which is one inwardly [1722] [2927]; and [2532] circumcision [4061] is that of the heart [2588], in [1722] the spirit [4151], and not [3756] in the letter [1121]; whose [3739] praise [1868] is not [3756] of [1537] men [444], but [235] of [1537] God [2316].
17 But [1161] he that glorieth [2744], let him glory [2744] in [1722] the Lord [2962].
31 That [2443], according as [2531] it is written [1125], He that glorieth [2744], let him glory [2744] in [1722] the Lord [2962].
24 But let him that glorieth [01984] glory [01984] in this, that he understandeth [07919] and knoweth [03045] me, that I am the LORD [03068] which exercise [06213] lovingkindness [02617], judgment [04941], and righteousness [06666], in the earth [0776]: for in these things I delight [02654], saith [05002] the LORD [03068].
23 Thus saith [0559] the LORD [03068], Let not the wise [02450] man glory [01984] in his wisdom [02451], neither let the mighty [01368] man glory [01984] in his might [01369], let not the rich [06223] man glory [01984] in his riches [06239]:
7 Unto [1519] which [3739] promise our [2257] twelve tribes [1429], instantly [1722] [1616] serving [3000] God day [2250] and [2532] night [3571], hope [1679] to come [2658]. For [4012] which [3739] hope's sake [1680], king [935] Agrippa [67], I am accused [1458] of [5259] the Jews [2453].
3 And [2532] there shall be [2071] no [3756] more [2089] [3956] curse [2652]: but [2532] the throne [2362] of God [2316] and [2532] of the Lamb [721] shall be [2071] in [1722] it [846]; and [2532] his [846] servants [1401] shall serve [3000] him [846]:
7 In that ye have brought [0935] into my sanctuary strangers [01121] [05236], uncircumcised [06189] in heart [03820], and uncircumcised [06189] in flesh [01320], to be in my sanctuary [04720], to pollute [02490] it, even my house [01004], when ye offer [07126] my bread [03899], the fat [02459] and the blood [01818], and they have broken [06565] my covenant [01285] because [0413] of all your abominations [08441].
6 And the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] will circumcise [04135] thine heart [03824], and the heart [03824] of thy seed [02233], to love [0157] the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] with all thine heart [03824], and with all thy soul [05315], that thou mayest live [02416].
16 Circumcise [04135] therefore the foreskin [06190] of your heart [03824], and be no more stiffnecked [06203] [07185].
41 And that I also have walked [03212] contrary [07147] unto them, and have brought [0935] them into the land [0776] of their enemies [0341]; if then [0176] their uncircumcised [06189] hearts [03824] be humbled [03665], and they then accept [07521] of the punishment of their iniquity [05771]: