The text for this week comes from a section in Philippians that many scholars postulate is from a second letter Paul had written to this congregation. Beginning at 3:1b, a different tone and focus color Paul's letter. Concerns over a specific group and their teachings come under Paul's scrutiny. The most common identification of these "dogs" (3:2) is the "Judaizers" those who taught that both adherence to the Law of Moses and a confession of Christ as Lord were necessary for complete entrance into Christian fellowship. Paul, of course, had no doubts about whether following Jewish law was still a necessary prerequisite for joining the church. It was not (see Galatians 1:8-9; 2:16).

Paul now uses himself as the perfect pin to puncture the pride of the Judaizers (cf. 1:27- 2:16). Noting the s…