Philippians 3:3
New International Version
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

New Living Translation
For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,

English Standard Version
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—

Berean Standard Bible
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

Berean Literal Bible
For we are the circumcision, those worshiping in the Spirit of God, and glorying in Christ Jesus, and not trusting in the flesh--

King James Bible
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

New King James Version
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

New American Standard Bible
for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh,

NASB 1995
for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

NASB 1977
for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

Legacy Standard Bible
For we are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

Amplified Bible
for we [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, set apart for His purpose and] are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory and take pride and exult in Christ Jesus and place no confidence [in what we have or who we are] in the flesh—

Christian Standard Bible
For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh—

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For we are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh—

American Standard Version
for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:

Contemporary English Version
But we are the ones who are truly circumcised, because we worship by the power of God's Spirit and take pride in Christ Jesus. We don't brag about what we have done,

English Revised Version
for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We are the [true] circumcised people [of God] because we serve God's Spirit and take pride in Christ Jesus. We don't place any confidence in physical things,

Good News Translation
It is we, not they, who have received the true circumcision, for we worship God by means of his Spirit and rejoice in our life in union with Christ Jesus. We do not put any trust in external ceremonies.

International Standard Version
For it is we who are the circumcision —we who worship in the Spirit of God and find our joy in the Messiah Jesus. We have not placed any confidence in the flesh,

Majority Standard Bible
For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh?

NET Bible
For we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials

New Heart English Bible
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;

Webster's Bible Translation
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Weymouth New Testament
For we are the true circumcision--we who render to God a spiritual worship and make our boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in outward ceremonies:

World English Bible
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For we are the circumcision, who are serving God by the Spirit, and glorying in Christ Jesus, and having no trust in flesh,

Berean Literal Bible
For we are the circumcision, those worshiping in the Spirit of God, and glorying in Christ Jesus, and not trusting in the flesh--

Young's Literal Translation
for we are the circumcision, who by the Spirit are serving God, and glorying in Christ Jesus, and in flesh having no trust,

Smith's Literal Translation
For we are the circumcision, serving God in spirit, and boasting in Christ Jesus, and not trusting in the flesh.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For we are the circumcision, who in spirit serve God; and glory in Christ Jesus, not having confidence in the flesh.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For we are the circumcised, we who serve God in the Spirit and who glory in Christ Jesus, having no confidence in the flesh.

New American Bible
For we are the circumcision, we who worship through the Spirit of God, who boast in Christ Jesus and do not put our confidence in flesh,

New Revised Standard Version
For it is we who are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For we are the true people of circumcision, who worship God in Spirit, and glory in Jesus Christ, and yet do not rely on things of the flesh.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For we are the circumcision, those who serve God in The Spirit, and we glory in Yeshua The Messiah, and we do not trust upon the flesh,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For we are the circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;

Godbey New Testament
For we are the circumcision, who serve the Spirit of God, and boast in Christ Jesus, also having no confidence in the flesh:

Haweis New Testament
For we are the circumcision, who serve God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.

Mace New Testament
for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages:

Weymouth New Testament
For we are the true circumcision--we who render to God a spiritual worship and make our boast in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in outward ceremonies:

Worrell New Testament
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in flesh:

Worsley New Testament
For we are of the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and having no confidence in the flesh.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Righteousness through Faith
2Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh! 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:…

Cross References
Romans 2:28-29
A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. / No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.

Colossians 2:11
In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands.

John 4:23-24
But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. / God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

Romans 8:9
You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Galatians 6:15
For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.

Ephesians 2:11-13
Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)— / remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. / But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

Romans 7:6
But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Galatians 3:3
Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh?

Jeremiah 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”

Deuteronomy 30:6
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.


Treasury of Scripture

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

we.

Genesis 17:5-11
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee…

Deuteronomy 10:16
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

Deuteronomy 30:6
And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

worship.

Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

John 4:23,24
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him…

Romans 1:9
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

rejoice.

Philippians 3:7-9
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ…

Psalm 105:3
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

Isaiah 45:25
In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

have.

Philippians 3:4-6
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: …

1 Peter 1:23-25
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever…

Jump to Previous
Boast Ceremonies Christ Circumcision Confidence Faith Flesh Glory Glorying Jesus Outward Rejoice Render Serving Spirit Spiritual True. Trust Worship
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Boast Ceremonies Christ Circumcision Confidence Faith Flesh Glory Glorying Jesus Outward Rejoice Render Serving Spirit Spiritual True. Trust Worship
Philippians 3
1. He warns them to beware of the false teachers;
4. showing that himself has greater cause than they to trust in the righteousness of the law;
7. which he counts as loss, to gain Christ and his righteousness;
12. acknowledging his own imperfection and pressing on toward the goal;
15. He exhorts them to be thus minded;
17. and to imitate him,
18. and to decline carnal ways.














For it is we who are the circumcision
This phrase identifies the true people of God, not by physical circumcision, but by a spiritual transformation. The Greek word for "circumcision" is "περιτομή" (peritomē), which traditionally refers to the physical act that was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham. However, Paul redefines it here to mean those who have a heart transformed by faith in Christ. This spiritual circumcision is a fulfillment of the Old Testament promise found in Deuteronomy 30:6, where God promises to circumcise the hearts of His people. It emphasizes a relationship with God that is internal and spiritual rather than external and ritualistic.

we who serve God by His Spirit
The Greek word for "serve" is "λατρεύω" (latreuō), which can also mean "worship." This service is not based on human effort or adherence to the law but is empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, "πνεῦμα" (pneuma), is the third person of the Trinity, who indwells believers and enables them to live a life pleasing to God. This service is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Ezekiel 36:27, where God promises to put His Spirit within His people, causing them to walk in His statutes.

who boast in Christ Jesus
The word "boast" comes from the Greek "καυχάομαι" (kauchaomai), which means to glory or take pride in. In a world that often boasts in personal achievements or status, Paul redirects the believer's boasting to Christ Jesus alone. This is a central theme in Paul's writings, as seen in Galatians 6:14, where he states that he will only boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. This boasting is an acknowledgment that all that we are and have is because of Christ's work on the cross and His resurrection.

and who put no confidence in the flesh
The term "flesh" in Greek is "σάρξ" (sarx), which can refer to the physical body but often denotes human nature apart from divine influence. Here, it represents reliance on human abilities, achievements, or adherence to the law for righteousness. Paul warns against this misplaced confidence, as seen in Romans 7:18, where he acknowledges that nothing good dwells in his flesh. This phrase calls believers to a life of faith, trusting not in their own strength but in the grace and power of God.

(3) We are the circumcision.--So in Colossians 2:11-12, evidently alluding to baptism as the spiritual circumcision, he says, "In whom ye were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands." Comp. Romans 2:20, "Circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter;" and passages of a similar character in the Old Testament, such as Deuteronomy 10:16, "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your hearts;" Deuteronomy 30:6, "The Lord God will circumcise thine heart." Hence the spirit of St. Stephen's reproach, "Ye uncircumcised in heart and ears" (Acts 7:51).

Which worship God in the spirit . . .--The true reading here is, who worship by the Spirit of God, the word "worship," or service, being that which is almost technically applied to the worship of the Israelites as God's chosen people (Acts 26:7; Romans 9:4; Hebrews 9:1; Hebrews 9:6), and which, with the addition of the epithet "reasonable," is claimed for the Christian devotion to God in Christ (see Romans 12:1). Such "worship by the Spirit of God" St. Paul describes in detail in Romans 8, especially in Romans 8:26-27. . . .

Verse 3. - For we are the circumcision. We: the apostle of the Gentiles identifies himself with the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 9:2l); himself circumcised, he recognizes the great truth that they only are the true circumcision whose hearts are mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts. Which worship God in the spirit; read, with the best manuscripts, which worship by the Spirit of God. The word λατρεία, worship, is used specially of the Jewish ceremonial service (comp. Romans 9:4; Luke 2:37; Acts 26:7). We Christians, St. Paul means, have not only the true circumcision, but the only true worship: the temple service prefigured the spiritual worship of the Christian Church. By the Spirit; by his assistance, inspiration: "We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us" (Romans 8:26). And rejoice in Christ Jesus; rather, glory καυχώμενοι). "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord," through whom alone we can obtain salvation, not in any external privileges. And have no confidence in the flesh. Neither in circumcision nor in any other outward rites.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

[it is] we
ἡμεῖς (hēmeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

[who] are
ἐσμεν (esmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

circumcision,
περιτομή (peritomē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4061: Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision.

we who
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

worship
λατρεύοντες (latreuontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3000: To serve, especially God, perhaps simply: I worship. From latris; to minister, i.e. Render religious homage.

by [the] Spirit
Πνεύματι (Pneumati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

of God,
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

who
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

glory
καυχώμενοι (kauchōmenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2744: To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Christ
Χριστῷ (Christō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

Jesus,
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

and [who]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

put no confidence
πεποιθότες (pepoithotes)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3982: A primary verb; to convince; by analogy, to pacify or conciliate; reflexively or passively, to assent, to rely.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] flesh—
σαρκὶ (sarki)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.


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NT Letters: Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision who worship (Philipp. Phil. Php.)
Philippians 3:2
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