What does “we are the circumcision” mean (Philippians 3:3)?

In Philippians 3:3, Paul says, “We are the circumcision” (ESV), and the statement is packed with meaning. The full sentence says, “We are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh” (ESV). In this passage Paul articulates a radical shift from physical circumcision, which the legalists of his day sought to mandate, to spiritual circumcision, which is a matter of the heart.

Some believers in the first century were being subjected to the false teaching that they must keep the Law of Moses—circumcision, in particular—to truly be saved. Paul warns the church against such falsehood, saying, “Look out for those who mutilate the flesh” (Philippians 3:2, ESV). He then follows up the warning by telling the church physical rituals have no power to grant spiritual life: the true circumcision are those “who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3, NKJV).

In saying, “We are the circumcision,” Paul indicates that genuine believers, regardless of their nationality or ethnicity, have been set apart for God. This designation challenges the Jewish emphasis on physical circumcision as an essential mark of a covenant relationship with God. In Romans 2:28–29, Paul elaborates on this idea, saying, “No one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God” (ESV). True circumcision, then, is of the heart. Better than conforming to an outward ritual is having a heart that has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit (see John 3:3, 5 and Titus 3:5).

The Old Testament hinted at this same principle. The Law of Moses itself commanded Israel to “circumcise your hearts . . . and do not be stiff-necked any longer” (Deuteronomy 10:16; cf. Deuteronomy 30:6). Centuries later, the prophet Jeremiah was telling them the same thing: “Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire because of the evil you have done” (Jeremiah 4:4).

Paul’s use of the word we in Philippians 3:3 represents the union of all believers, whether Jew or Gentile. In Paul’s day, such a union was a radical idea, as it redefined what it meant to be in the household of God. But, in Christ, Jews and Gentiles are “one” (Galatians 3:28). Paul says, “For [Christ] himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace” (Ephesians 2:14–15). Christ has abolished the need for physical circumcision, which formerly separated Jews and Gentiles. We are now the (spiritual) circumcision; we are “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 1:19, ESV).

The point is that physical circumcision is not required for salvation. Paul says, “In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6, ESV) Paul makes a similar remark in Galatians 6:15, saying, “Neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:15, ESV). The idea is that true circumcision produces a dispositional change—a supernatural change of nature—rather than a physical change.

Moreover, the truth that we are the circumcision prompts believers to reflect on the nature of true worship. According to Philippians 3:3, genuine believers (“the circumcision”) are those “who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus” (ESV). This recalls Jesus’ words, “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23–24, ESV). So, when Paul says, “We are the circumcision,” he is drawing our attention to heartfelt, genuine worship of God. We “boast in Christ Jesus, and . . . put no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).

Being born again brings true change. Our hearts have been circumcised by the Holy Spirit, who has replaced our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh (see Ezekiel 36:26). Now we can worship God in spirit and in truth.