3:2 Who are the "dogs" Paul refers to here?
3:2 Who are the "dogs" Paul refers to here?
Paul uses the term dogs here metaphorically of the Judaizers - the Jewish teachers - who he also refers to as "evil workers", and "the concision". Concision means a mutilation of the flesh.
Paul uses this word contemptuously for the Jewish circumcision with its Judaistic influence, in contrast to the true spiritual circumcision - the circumcision of the heart (cp Ac 15:1, 5, 24 with Deut 30:6; Ro 2:25-29; Ga 5:2, 6; Php 3:3; Col 2:8-13).
The Jews were mutilating the gospel message by adding law to grace (cp Ro 9:31-33; 10:3-4 with Ro 2:21-26; 4:16; Eph 2:4-9).
The Judaizers taught that the outward circumcision of the flesh was necessary to salvation, while at the same time they had not undergone the circumcision of the heart - the true spiritual circumcision necessary to salvation.
The outward symbol is nothing without the inward reality (cp Mt 3:9-10; Ro 2:27-29; 7:4-6; 2 Cor 3:5-6; Ga 6:13-16).