FRAMEWORKS:
2
Cor 3: Qualifications & the nature of the new covenant
v.1-6
Their Competency
v.7-18
The Greater Glory of the New Covenant
[Chapter
Synopsis: Paul
seeking unity, perhaps in the face of criticisms, suggests their
qualification is their end product – the believers in Corinth,
brought through the gospel by the work of the Spirit. The work
of the Spirit is contrasted with the old covenant that came through
Moses and the Law and brought a glory to Moses that gradually
faded. By contrast, the new covenant brings a glory that lasts
and transforms.]
v.1-6
Their Competency
v.1
(we
don't really want to blow our own trumpet, but…) Are
we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some
people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
v.2
(the
truth is you are what shows us as we are) You
yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read
by everyone.
v.3
(you
reveal we are from Christ) You
show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry,
written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not
on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
v.4 (we're
sure of this before God) Such
confidence we have through Christ before God.
v.5
(and
our competence comes from Him) Not
that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves,
but our competence comes from God.
v.6
(by
His Spirit who brings life) He
has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the
letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit
gives life.
[Passage
Synopsis: The
reality of our ministry is the end product – you! A work of God
by His Spirit]
v.7-18
The Greater Glory of the New Covenant
v.7,8
(if
Moses' ministry was accompanied by God's glory how much more will
the present ministry of the Spirit be glorious) Now
if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters
on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look
steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory
though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more
glorious?
v.9
(if
that ministry brought death, how much more wonderful the ministry
that now brings righteousness) If
the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much
more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!
v.10
(the
past glory fades in comparison to the new glory) For
what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing
glory.
v.11
(indeed
the past glory faded, so how much more wonderful the glory that
lasts) And
if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the
glory of that which lasts!
v.12
(with
that hope we can be bold) Therefore,
since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
v.13
(Moses
had to cover his glory because it faded) We
are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent
the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away.
v.14
(and
a veil covers the minds of those hearing the old covenant because
only believing in Christ will it be lifted) But
their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains
when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because
only in Christ is it taken away.
v.15
(so
when the Law is read, their hearts are covered) Even
to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
v.16
(but
when someone turns to Christ, that veil is removed) But
whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
v.17
(the
Lord as the Spirit brings freedom) Now
the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there
is freedom.
v.18
(and
now without veils his glory shines on us and transforms us)
And
we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory,
are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory,
which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
[Passage
Synopsis: A
comparison between the old and new covenants. The old, from Moses
and the Law, brought a glory that faded and produces a veil that
stops listeners seeing the truth. The new, through Jesus, brings
a lasting glory and freedom which transforms us into Christ's
likeness.]
Chapter
Brief Summary/Recap:
Ch.
3: Qualifications & the nature of the new covenant
•
the Corinthians who are the fruit
of their ministry are also proof of it
•
it is a wonderful ministry in
that it brings the glory of the Lord to believers
•
the Law brought a fading glory
but this glory of the Spirit is lasting
Continue
to Chapter 4