False circumcision—that is what Paul called the false teachers who tried to sway the Christians to submit to the Law of Moses and circumcision. Those teachers prided themselves in their ability to keep the Law. But Paul in the previous verse (2) dismissed them as “dogs” and “the uncircumcision.”

Now the apostle counters that “we” (meaning himself and those who follow his teachings) are the “true circumcision.” His message was more true to historical Judaism than the Judaizers’ outward adherence to the Law.

He wrote that true believers are characterized by three things: 1) They “worship in the Spirit of God.” Jesus Himself had said, “An hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers” (John 4:23). This worship contrasts with fleshly worship which prides itself in keeping the Law. 2) True believers “glory in Christ Jesus.” They are all about Him. He is the focus of their worship, they are ultimately concerned with His reputation. He is the One they fix their eyes on and make known in the world. The Judaizers had rendered Jesus Christ as being a good rabbi, but He was not central to their life’s purpose. For the Christian, Jesus is the beginning and the end. He is everything. He is the message of the gospel. 3) True believers do not put any confidence in their human abilities (i.e. flesh) to attain standing with God. The Judaizers, on the other hand, promoted adherence to the Law which breeds a false pride of accomplishment.

Paul digresses into a personal testimony about his former life under the Law. If anyone could find satisfaction in that way of life, he was the one. To the casual reader of Scripture, Paul may seem to be bragging, which would of course be sub-Christian. However he is looking back on his attitude before his conversion. He was not just your typical Jew, promoting the law of Moses, but was one of the most advanced practitioners of the Jewish religion. Of everyone, he had the most to boast in. And he had the most to lose in coming to faith in Christ. It was certainly not his failure in comparison with others that led him to true faith in Christ. In the next few verses he outlines his major credentials, and gives us an insight into his former pride.