Philippians 3:2

"Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision." (Philippians 3:2)

 

Although our salvation is secure, Paul alerts us to the possibility that we can be spoiled, our faith can be shipwrecked, and we can fall from our own "stedfastness". These are not idle threats. There are those who are the "enemies of the cross of Christ", hence these startling descriptions in today's verse.

 

Dogs, both literally and metaphorically, are never mentioned in a positive context in Scripture. "Dogs" encircled the Lord Jesus while on the cross. Blind watchmen are "dumb dogs" and ignorant shepherds are "greedy dogs," since neither are seeking the good of God's people. We are explicitly warned not to give "that which is holy unto the dogs". We must "beware of dogs" indeed.

 

Those motivated by evil come under severe condemnation. False prophets are called "wolves"