Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:1-3)
We have no trouble understanding Paul when he says, “Look out for the evildoers.” But dogs? People who mutilate their flesh? Did Paul hate puppies and people with tattoos? Not exactly. Like any statement in the Bible, this one requires context for getting inside the writer’s head.
In the ancient world (except for Egyptian and Phoenician cultures), dogs were routinely despised. Their instinctive, base behavior-such as eating dead, decayed flesh or consuming their own vomit—disgusted ancient people (Exodus 22:31; 1 Kings 14:11; Proverbs 26:11). The appropriate insult to heap on someone you considered worthless was “dead dog” (2 Samuel 16:9; see also Deuteronomy 23:17-18).
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Author: Michael S. Heiser
Keywords: Dog, Concision, Circumcision, Mutilation, Mutilation of flesh
Bible reference(s): Philippians 3:1-3
Source: “Paul, Puppies and Tattoos,” Bible Study Magazine, Sept./Oct. 2014, pg. 41.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.