2
Watch out forΒλέπετεthe dogs,τοὺς κύναςwatch out forβλέπετεthe evilτοὺς κακοὺςworkers,ἐργάταςwatch out forβλέπετεthe mutilation.τὴν κατατομήν
Philippians 3:2
Study it in the app“Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for the mutilation.”
With the Greek beneath
Philippians 3:2, word by word
- Watch out forΒλέπετεBlepete
beware
To beware of something.
Where else “Blepete” appears- the dogsκύναςkynas
dog
Dog; in the Bible, an unclean animal of the streets.
Where else “kynas” appears- the evilκακοὺςkakous
evil
What goes against God's will and harms others.
Where else “kakous” appears- workersἐργάταςergatas
worker, laborer
Worker, laborer, especially a hired worker in the fields; also one who does something.
Where else “ergatas” appears- the mutilationκατατομήνkatatomēn
mutilation
Mutilation, cutting the flesh; the word sounds like "circumcision" in Greek.
Where else “katatomēn” appears
Translation note
“Mutilation” (katatomē) plays on “circumcision” (peritomē, v. 3). It can be understood that Paul gives this name to the circumcision demanded of those of the nations as a requirement.
The context
1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not tiresome for me, and for you it is safe.
2 · This verse (above)
3For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and boast in the Messiah Jesus and do not put confidence in the flesh,
To study Philippians 3 in a group
1. What it says
What things that Paul once counted as gain does he now count as loss, and why (v. 4-8)?
2. What it means
Paul says, "forgetting the things behind and straining toward the things ahead" (v. 13). What do you think that means?
3. How I live it
Paul keeps pressing on without claiming to be perfect (v. 12-14). What small step can you take today in something you want to grow in?