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Php 3:2. Βλέπετε, see) A vehement Anaphora,[29] See, and you will avoid; a metonymy of the antecedent for the consequent.[30] The antithesis is σκοπεῖτε, observe, mark,[31] Php 3:17; for Php 3:17 returns to this topic, wonderfully tempered by reproof and exhortation.-τοὺς κύνας, the dogs) Undoubtedly he used this appellation often in their presence, Php 3:18, and he now brought it to the recollection of the Philippians; and hence they would more easily understand it than we. Comp. 2Th 2:5. The three members of the following verse correspond, by a retrograde gradation (descending climax), to the three clauses of this verse; so that the dogs are the false apostles and carnal men, who do not trust in Christ, but in the flesh, and are slaves to foul lusts [utter strangers to true holiness, although exulting in the name of Jews.-V. g.], Php 3:19. So the term dogs is applied to ἐβδελυγμένοις, those to be abominated, Rev 22:15; comp. Rev 21:8; or in other words, the abominable, impure (βδελυκτοὶ, ΜΕΜΙΑΜΜΈΝΟΙς), Tit 1:16; Tit 1:15, strangers to holiness, Mat 7:6; quite different from Paul, living and dying; for in life they abound to overflowing in the vices of dogs, in filthiness, unchastity, snarling, 2Pe 2:22; Deu 23:19 (18); Psa 59:7; Psa 59:16; and they are most of all the enemies of the cross of Christ, Php 3:18; comp. Psa 22:17; Psa 22:21 : and in death they are dead dogs (by which proverb something of the vilest sort is denoted): comp. Php 3:19. That saying is applicable to these, which is commonly used, Take care of the dog.[32] The Jews considered the Gentiles as dogs; see at Mat 15:26; they are now called dogs, who are unwilling to be the Israel of God.-τοὺς κακοὺς ἐργάτας, evil workers) who do not serve God; comp. 2Co 11:13.-τὴν κατατομὴν, the concision) A Paranomasia [See Append.]; for he claims for Christians the glorious name of the circumcision (περιτομῆς) in the following verse. The circumcision of the body was now useless, nay hurtful. See κατατέμνω on the prohibition of cutting the flesh, Lev 21:5; 1Ki 18:28. He speaks not without indignation.
[29] Repetition of the same word at the beginnings of several clauses.-ED.
[30] See, instead of avoid, which is its consequence.-ED.
[31] So as to follow; not as here, See so as to avoid.-ED.
[32] Εὐλαβοῦ τὴν κύνα, cave canem, used to be written near the door of ancient houses to guard strangers against the dog kept in the ostium or janua. At Pompeii, “in the house of the tragic poet,” there is wrought in the Mosaic pavement, “Cave canem,” and the figure of a fierce dog. See Gell’s Pomp.-ED