Beware of The Mutilation

“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation” (Phil. 3:2).  In some circles, it would be an outrage for this to be said today.  Just the idea of referring to someone as a “dog” is intolerable.  Yet, that is exactly what the apostle wrote.

The warning given by Paul was not harmful, but helpful.  Notice he said it was “not tedious,” but “safe” for him to write these things to the Philippians (Phil. 3:1).  In other words, his warning about false teachers and the damage they do was beneficial for the saints.  The same is true today.  Warnings about those and that which enslave the soul to sin are good, not bad.

The “dogs” and “evil” workers of which Paul wrote were not alien sinners, pagans, or atheists.  Rather, they were the “mutilation.”  This group was a sect of Christians who insisted on circumcision.  They boasted in the flesh, a standard by which Paul was unmatched (Phil. 3:3-7).  In other words, they were brethren.  Yes, Paul described some of his brethren, children of God, as “dogs” and “evil workers.”  Why?  Because the doctrines espoused by them would lead souls to hell.

Are there any “dogs” or “evil workers” today?  Is there a “mutilation” sect among brethren?  We do not know of any who try to bind circumcision.  However, there are those who push unsound doctrines.  Those who espouse unproven and illogical scientific theories as the standard by which to interpret the Bible fit what Paul describes in Philippians 3.  Likewise, those who advocate social-gospel techniques for drawing and keeping young people are “evil workers.”  Warnings need to be sounded whether it is about these or any other loose doctrines.  The souls of men are at stake.

That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
- Ecclesiastes 1:9

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