For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his
Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the
flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the
flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of
the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard
to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for
righteousness based on the law, faultless. Philippians 3:3-6
Paul
used that phrase “confidence in the flesh” when talking about the argument of
circumcision. Many Jews who became
Christian wanted to involve the Jewish practice of circumcision into the Christian life,
saying a person needed to be circumcised first before becoming a Christian. In this way they were putting “confidence in
the flesh” to be saved.
Paul
said he was the best example of someone who put confidence in the flesh. He too was circumcised, went through Hebrew
school, knew the law inside and out and became a religious leader
(Pharisee). Then he went on and
persecuted the church before getting saved.
Paul understood the attraction of putting our faith in ourselves to save
ourselves which is what people always want to do. Anytime we put confidence in the flesh, in
the world, in our own actions, we take away confidence in Jesus Christ.
We
have become right with God through faith, not flesh. All our confidence is in Jesus.