Filipenses 3:2

Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision.

Here is more repetition, the threefold "beware" being one of the most dramatic warnings in Scripture. What a tragedy is the butchering of this text by so-called translators. The RSV, for example, changed this to "Look out for the dogs!" As Foy E. Wallace, Jr., said, "This is an example of ruining the language and literary quality of the Scriptures."[8] "Beware" is a far better word in this place than "look out for."

Dogs ... evil workers ... concision ... Many believe that these are not three classes of enemies but three designations of one class, that class being rather effectively identified by the word "concision," which is a derogatory reference to circumcision and points squarely at the Judaizers who were the gospel enemies beyond all others of that era. The secular, nationalistic Jews were also enemies but when Paul referred to them, his references to circumcision were more respectful. As Martin said: "But what did infuriate him was the insistence that the rite be enforced on Gentile Christians in order to make them `full Christians'[9]

Concision ... This means "Those who mutilate the flesh" (RSV); "The verb is used in Septuagint (LXX) of cuttings forbidden by Mosaic law."[10]

Dogs ... "This applies to those of unholy tastes and desires, of whom Jesus warned the multitude in the Sermon on the Mount: 'Give not that which is holy unto the dogs' (Matthew 7:6)."[11] Furthermore, the status of dogs in that ancient culture was a far different thing from what it is in our own. The dog in America today is a loved and appreciated creature; but the dog was held to be most contemptible in ancient times. The Jews referred to Gentiles as "dogs"; the prophet Isaiah compared the false shepherds of Israel to dumb dogs, lazy dogs, and greedy dogs (Isaiah 56:9-11); and the Psalmist designated the enemies of the Messiah, stating that "the dogs have encompassed" him (Psalms 22:16).

Ill-workers ... The opinion of Dummelow cannot be ruled out that there are three classes of gospel enemies in this passage, the expression here meaning the establishment of national Israel (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16). "Unbelieving Jews are here intended, radically opposed to the gospel of Christ .... Jewish hostility was violent beyond measure in Macedonia (Acts 17).[12] If this view should be accepted, then the three classes of enemies would be:

dogs ... those of unholy desires and appetites.

... the unbelieving Jews who tried to exterminate the gospel.

the concision ... the believing Jews who sought to pervert it.

Despite the widespread opinion to the contrary, Dummelow's views appear convincing to this writer.

[8] Foy E. Wallace, Jr., A Review of the New Versions (Fort Worth, Texas: The Foy E. Wallace, Jr., Publications, 1973), p. 446.

[9] R. P. Martin, op. cit., p. 136.

[10] Robert H. Mounce, op. cit., p. 769.

[11] James William Russell, Compact Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1964), p. 494.

[12] J. R. Dummelow, op. cit., p. 975.