Gleanings of Grace

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Beware of the dogs! Beware of the evil workers! Beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ

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All throughout the letter so far–from Paul’s opening thanksgiving and prayer; to his imprisonment and resolve to persevere; to eventually, letting go of Timothy and Epaphroditus–his tone has remained marked by joy. This joy is not shaped by the ups and downs of earthly circumstances, but is found in Christ alone.

And so, the third chapter opens with Paul exhorting them to rejoice. This sets the tone for his subsequent encouragement and instructions that circle back to joy and to rejoicing in the Lord. As he said, “..to write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you” (v. 1).

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Paul’s Warning

“Beware” or βλέπω (blépō) holds a cautious tone, strongly urging believers to consider something. Paul used this word to warn them about the dogs, the evil workers, and the mutilation—terms that pointed to the Judaizers and their confidence in external religious practices.

Then, Paul follows it with a reason: “For we are the circumcision.” 

Paul was metaphorically using the word circumcision περιτομή (peritomḗ) to denote what genuine belonging to God means. This is marked by a heart that worships God in spirit and in truth, with confidence resting in Christ rather than in the flesh.

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Paul’s Testimony

Paul then proceeds to present his credentials—reasons why, humanly speaking, he had every right to place confidence in the flesh.

• Paul was circumcised on the eighth day (v. 5), satisfying Yahweh’s requirement from Genesis 17:12, 21:4 and Leviticus 12:3.

• Paul possessed impeccable Jewish credentials. He was born from both Hebrew parents who descended from the line of Benjamin (v. 5)–Rachel’s second son–showing direct descent from Israel’s Patriarchs. The tribe of Benjamin formed part of the southern kingdom and remained loyal to the Davidic dynasty (1 Kings 12:21). Though raised outside the land of Israel, Paul maintained Jewish customs, making him “of the nation of Israel” (v. 5) and a “Hebrew of Hebrews” (v. 5). 

• As far as the law was concerned, Paul was a Pharisee (v. 5), a sect known for its strict devotion to the Law, though many had fallen into external religiosity that sought the praise of men.

• Paul was zealous for the Jewish religion that he destroyed anything and anyone he believed threatened it. And so, he was once a persecutor (v. 6) of Christ’s church. 

• Paul’s righteousness stemmed from his complete adherence to the Law. And so he was found blameless outside (v. 6), yet his heart was sinfully proud inside. 

How many times have I evaluated people based on:

• “Which school do they go to?”
• “What have they achieved so far?”

Even as a believer, these well-meaning spiritual considerations can become sources of self-righteous prejudices:

• “What church do they go to?”
• “How much doctrine do they know?”
• “Does my doctrinal stance align with them?”
• “How many ministries are they serving in?”

Needless to say, I am more prone to pride than I’d like to admit. Being an idealistic person who likes things done according to standard, I need constant reminding: 

My relationship with God is not defined by the church I go to. Neither is it determined by the amount of doctrine I know; the books I’ve read; nor the number of ministries I serve in.

And, while I am blessed to be in a faithful church learning from faithful teachers, this does not give me reason to look down on those who lack the same opportunities, or those who are still learning and growing. This should, all the more, move me to devote my life in building up Christ’s church through whatever capacity He calls me.

Hence, I need to ask this daily: “Is my confidence solely in Christ? Or in my spiritual progress?”

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Paul’s Treasure

Paul’s confidence was in Christ.

In fact, Christ became the sole goal and meaning of his life as he wrote: “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (v. 7).

The word “loss” or ζημία (zēmía) generally translates to “damage” or “detriment.” It carries the idea of penalties, forfeiture or harm resulting from an unsuccessful deal. The Jewish credentials that gave him status, privilege, and advantage—Paul counted as loss for Christ.

And not just that, he further wrote: More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ” (v. 7-8)

The word “all” or πᾶς (pâs) holds an absolute sense of all created things. It wasn’t just his Jewish heritage then, but all things–big and small–he counted as loss. To Paul, all things paled in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and gaining Him, even in suffering. All that he had to lose for the Gospel, he even counted as rubbish (σκύβαλον skýbalon). This word generally refers to worthless matters–refuse, scraps or excrement–that are to be thrown away. And so, Christ was Paul’s absolute treasure.

I can’t help but identify with Paul’s heart to some extent. This reminds me of how Gleanings of Grace started from one simple desire: to dwell in His presence all my days (Psalm 27:4). 

There were career and business directions I considered at some point. I worked longer hours to formalize my practice so I can attract more high-ticket engagements in my aspiration to be financially comfortable. I thought that was the path I wanted. But amid all the chaos and uncertainties from the past months, I found clarity in God’s Word. I also found the peace I lacked from hustling so hard to make ends meet. I got so inspired by how Ruth clung to Naomi that I prayed to cling to God’s Word in the same way through the joys and pains of life. 

I’ve reached a point where I intend to protect my time. I choose my engagements carefully so that a significant portion of my time can be spent in God’s Word. I long to marvel at His Word and glean from it all my days even if it means earning just enough.

But then, I know. I am still comfortable.

My service, sacrifices and struggles for the Gospel do not compare to that of Paul’s. Maybe not yet, or just not in this lifetime. But in my own little way, through faithfulness in ordinary days, I long to make Christ my ultimate treasure no matter what the cost. 

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I wish my closing would be straightforward. But there was a lot to glean from this passage. 

1. It exposed how prone my heart is to social and spiritual pride.
2. It reminded me that spiritual growth is never a reason for boasting.
3. And it affirmed my decision to hold my earthly ambitions loosely as I continue building Gleanings of Grace.

And as I continue, may my confidence remain in Christ—

not in my earthly credentials, and certainly not in my spiritual progress.