“Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.”
To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safeguarding for you — Paul repeats exhortation because it is 'not troublesome' (ouk okneropn, not burdensome) and necessary for 'safeguarding' (asphales, security, firmness). Repetition is not rhetorical padding but spiritual necessity: dangers require constant vigilance. The phrase suggests he has warned them before of coming threats.
Church Fathers on Philippians 3:2
Dejection and care, whenever they strain the soul beyond due measure, bereave it of its native force. And therefore Paul relieves the Philippians, who were in great despondency, and they were in despondency because they did not know how matters were with Paul; they were in despondency because they thought that it was already over with him, because of the preaching, because of Epaphroditus. It is in giving them assurance on all these points that he introduces the words,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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