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Jeffrey Johnson
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What does it mean to "worship in the Spirit?" Philippians 3:3
To "worship in the Spirit" (Philippians 3:3) means to worship God sincerely from the heart, empowered by the Holy Spirit rather than relying on outward rituals, legalism, or human effort ("the flesh"). It represents a personal, intimate relationship with God, characterised by rejoicing in Christ Jesus alone and trusting in his atoning work for salvation.
This verse explains the safety Paul had referred to in verse 1. Paul promoted salvation by faith, not by following Jewish customs. As the most obvious physical sign of Judaism, "circumcision" is often used as a metaphor for the entire Old Testament law.
Instead of hollow legalism, faithful followers of Jesus are marked by three practices. First, their worship is spiritual and recognisable by a focus on the Holy Spirit's work in their lives.
Second, they put their faith and worship in Christ, not the law. The Old Testament law looked forward to the Messiah, but did not know who He would be. Believers glory in Christ Jesus, who had been revealed as the Son of God, the predicted Jewish Messiah.
Third, Christians don't stake their eternity, or their spiritual lives, on rituals or their own good works. Again, circumcision is part of the general context here. The proper confidence of a Christian is not in whether a person has been circumcised—or followed some other religious ritual—but whether they have received salvation through faith in Jesus.
The ritual of circumcision is not morally wrong now, and was not mistaken when Paul wrote this letter. Paul would soon note his own circumcision (Philippians 3:5). In the same way, adherence to the Torah was also positive, but not absolutely required (Philippians 3:7). However, in comparison with knowing Christ, these things were unimportant (Philippians 3:7–8). In particular, they are not something that can grant forgiveness of sins before God. Jesus offers a righteousness that is not of the law, but through faith (Philippians 3:9).
Who then is "the circumcision"? Paul tells us in Philippians 3:3, it is those who "worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."This is the Church, Christians, true believers. Paul says the church is the "true circumcision," the faithful Israel, and the true Jew.
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