Note 7 at Phil. 3:3: Who were the "we" Paul spoke of? It was not just speaking of the Jews who had been physically circumcised. Paul was saying that Christians are the true circumcised people of God.

In Romans 2:28-29 (see Parallel Scriptures for this verse), Paul revealed that true circumcision was a matter of the heart, not the flesh, and that true Judaism was through new birth, not physical birth (see note 2 at Rom. 2:29, p. 753). In Colossians 2:11 (see Parallel Scriptures for this verse), Paul said spiritual circumcision was done by God without the hands of man.

The physical nation of Israel still has a very important part to play in God's plan. They figure prominently in end time prophecy. But the physical nation of Israel has been displaced in importance by the spiritual seed of Abraham, that is the church of Jesus Christ.

Note 8 at Phil. 3:3: The condition of a person's flesh is not the important thing. It doesn't matter if that flesh is circumcised or holy. It is the condition of the spirit that matters with God (see note 9 at 2 Cor. 5:17, p. 1005). "God is a Spirit: and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:24); "man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7).

Note 9 at Phil. 3:3: In context, Paul is saying that those who put faith in their circumcision to save them are putting confidence in the flesh and not in God. Today the act of circumcision is not the issue, but acts of holiness are still deemed by many as essential for receiving salvation (see note 6 at Gal. 5:2, p. 1078; see note 12 at Gal. 5:6, p. 1079). That is just as wrong as those in Paul's day who believed that being circumcised granted them salvation.