Revealing the HEART of the New Covenant

In this article I break down Philippians chapter 3 to show how “circumcision of the flesh” symbolises the old covenant whilst “circumcision of the heart” is at the heart of the new covenant.

What is "circumcision of the heart" and how is it connected to "knowing" Christ?

Philippians 3

4 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:

5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

In verses 4-6 of Philippians 3, Paul describes his background as a strict Jew

Circumcised the eighth day- the law required a male child to be circumcised on the eighth day (Gen. 17:13&14)

Of the stock of Israel- He was a descendant of Jacob. 

Of the tribe of Benjamin- Benjamin was Jacob’s favourite son. 

A Hebrew of the Hebrews- both his parents were Hebrew, he had no mixed blood.

As touching the law a Pharisee- The Pharisees were a particularly strict sect.

He proved his zeal by persecuting the church.

Touching the righteousness which is in the law blameless- Jews believed they were justified by observing the law, Saul had conscientiously observed the law from his youth up.

Knowing Paul’s background it’s amazing that he says in verse 2 

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

Dogs- Jews called the Gentiles “dogs” because they were outside of God’s Covenant, however in verse two Paul is calling Jews who reject the New Covenant, dogs (how ironic). 

Evil workers- are Judaizing teachers who pervert the gospel. 

Concision- means mutilation. Paul used this word to degrade the ordinance of physical circumcision. 

“Dogs”, “evil doers” and “concision” are all very strong words. Paul also repeats the word “beware” three times for emphasis. 

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Paul had been deeply rooted in Jewish tradition yet he counted it as dung, refuse, rubbish, excrement, worthless and detestable, to be thrown away. Again very strong language.

Why do people claiming to be Christian want to cling to Jewish traditions and ordinances when Paul, who had been the model Jew, saw them as nothing but dung?

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

In verse 9 Paul contrasts righteousness which is of the law against righteousness which is of God by faith.

The latter is linked to “knowing” Christ 

vs 10 That I may know him… 

Similar to vs 8 …the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. 

To “know” Christ means to be joined to him like Adam “knew” his wife (Gen. 4:1) and they became “one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). 

We become ONE with Christ when we partake in the fellowship of his sufferings, are made conformable unto his death and experience the power of his resurrection (vs 10). 

In becoming ONE with Christ the law is written on our hearts meaning it’s in our nature to obey God because we’ve received the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) through the Spirit, which is love.

While physical circumcision symbolises the old covenant 

Gen. 17

13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

Spiritual circumcision is at the heart of the New Covenant 

Phil. 3

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

Circumcision peristome in this verse means of Christians separated from the unclean multitude and truly consecrated to God. The extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity.

Which ties in with Hebrews 8

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Having the law written in one’s heart is spiritual circumcision.  

Phil. 3

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

While in vs 5&6 Paul described his strict Jewish background, in vs 13 he says …forgetting those things which are behind…meaning he puts it out of his mind

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

In vs 17 he says to follow his example

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 

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What was his example? To mind heavenly things, not earthly things.

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Paul is saying that people need to get their mind off the physical, meaning adherence to physical ordinances and understand the spiritual, what those ordinances represent, what they point to.

In summary, Philippians 3 explains the nature of the new covenant and how it differs from the old. The new covenant is spiritual while the old covenant is physical thus the new covenant focuses on “knowing” Christ and having one’s heart circumcised as opposed to performing carnal ordinances and being physically circumcised.