Philippians 3:3

“for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh”

“For”: In contrast to the false circumcision. “We are”: Faithful Christians, in the context includes those Christians who realize that the Law of Moses, as. system to find acceptance with God, has been removed (Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:1; Hebrews 10:9). This also includes Gentiles who are believers. “The circumcision”: The true circumcision. Which refers to people who have circumcised hearts that are open, tender, and receptive to the Word of God (Romans 2:28). “True circumcision is something inward and consists in the discarding of the impurity and the insensitiveness of the heart” (Muller p. 107). Compare with Jeremiah 2:4; Ezekiel 2:7; Leviticus 26:41; Deuteronomy 10:16; Deuteronomy 30:6; Colossians 2:11.

“Language could not be clearer. The notion that God even today recognizes two favored groups --on the one hand the church and on the other the Jews--is thoroughly unscriptural” (Hendriksen p. 152). There is only "one body" (Ephesians 4:4), which consists of Christians from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds (Philippians 2:13; John 10:16; 1 Peter 2:9). The church is the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16). “Three characteristics of the truly circumcised are successively stated” (Muller p. 107).

“Who worship by the Spirit”: “In the Spirit of God” (NASV). Compare with John 4:24. “Worship”: The Holy Spirit revealed the changes that God had instituted in worship when the first covenant was removed and the second established (Hebrews 10:9; John 16:13; John 4:23). Those with receptive hearts accepted such changes. In contrast, those with stubborn hearts refused to move when God moved. They wanted to hold to an obsolete system. They loved the forms and rituals that God had once delivered, more than the God who had revealed them This also suggests that. "circumcised heart" is only interested in giving the worship that God desires. When one is really sensitive to the truth, they want to offer worship that pleases God and not themselves. Unfortunately, the modern religious world that makes great claims to be "spiritual", is not interested in the simple forms of worship commanded of Christians (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23 ff; 1 Corinthians 16:1; Ephesians 5:19).

“Glory in Christ Jesus”: 1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17; Jeremiah 2:23. “And do not boast of personal goodness or works or deserts. Christ receives all the honor and His Name alone is magnified” (Muller p. 108). “Have no confidence in the flesh”: “Who do not rely upon external privileges” (TCNT). “Not relying on physical advantages” (Gspd). Tender hearts realize that their salvation is unmerited and undeserved. Trust in one's supposed ability to keep the law perfectly is vain (Romans 3:23). All the external privileges that even the most faithful Israelite could claim could not save anyone. We are always dependant upon God for mercy and forgiveness (1 John 1:8). No matter how hard we try, we will still need the blood of Christ to gain eternal life (Luke 17:10). Christians take pride in what God has done for them and not in something that they do to merit or earn salvation. We boast in the cross, we exult in the sacrifice of Jesus and we give God all the credit for our salvation. The Jews and the Judaizers were relying upon such externals as circumcision to help them gain access to eternal life. In contrast, the Christian humbly submits to God, and eagerly complies with whatever conditions God has laid down for salvation (John 3:16; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21), while at the same time realizing that obedience to such conditions in no way means that they have deserved or earned such deliverance.

Verses 4-6 mention the particular "fleshly" advantages that many were trusting in to save them. John the Baptist and Jesus had encountered the same type of attitude (Matthew 3:7; Luke 18:9).