Ministry of the Spirit: From Letter to Life

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul presents the heart-transforming power of the New Covenant, a ministry not of the letter, but of the Spirit. It teaches us that it is not the observance of law that brings life and righteousness, but the Spirit of the living God. As we turn to the Lord and behold His glory, we experience transformation, growing ever more like Christ in glory.

Verses 1-3: Paul's Defense of His Apostleship

Paul begins by asking if he needs letters of recommendation, either to or from the Corinthians. He asserts that the Corinthians themselves are his letter, written on their hearts, and it is known and read by everyone. This "letter" is not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Verses 4-6: The New Covenant and the Spirit of Life

Paul credits his confidence to God through Christ and declares that he is competent as a minister of the New Covenant, which is not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Verses 7-11: The Glory of the Old vs the New Covenant

He compares the glory of the Old Covenant, which was so radiant that the Israelites couldn’t look steadily at Moses’ face, with the greater glory of the New Covenant, which brings righteousness. If the ministry that brought death was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness?

Verses 12-18: Transformation by the Spirit

Paul proclaims the hope and boldness of the New Covenant, contrasting it with the veiling of Moses' face, which kept the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Lord, the Spirit.

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul defends his apostleship and ministry by discussing the two covenants. He contrasts the glory of the Old Covenant, which was written in letters on stone and brought death, with the New Covenant, which is written by the Spirit on human hearts and brings life. The chapter concludes with the transformative power of the Spirit in the lives of believers.

Paul’s Apostleship and Confidence
The New Covenant vs The Old Covenant
Glory of the New Covenant
Transformation by the SpiritPaul's Defense of His Apostleship
The Old Covenant and the Letter of the Law
The New Covenant and the Spirit of Life
The Unveiled Glory of ChristPaul
The Corinthians
Moses
God
The SpiritCorinth

1. How do the Corinthians serve as a letter of recommendation for Paul?

2. What is the significance of a letter written not with ink but with the Spirit?

3. How does Paul contrast the Old Covenant and the New Covenant?

4. What does the statement "the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" mean to you?

5. How can you apply the idea of the "ministry of the Spirit" in your own life?

6. What can we learn from the imagery of Moses’ fading glory versus the everlasting glory of the New Covenant?

7. What does it mean to be competent as ministers of a New Covenant?

8. How is the New Covenant described as more glorious than the Old Covenant?

9. How is the veil metaphor used in this chapter, and what does it represent?

10. How does turning to the Lord remove the veil?

11. How can we experience the freedom that comes from where the Spirit of the Lord is?

12. What does "beholding the glory of the Lord" involve in our daily lives?

13. How are we being transformed "from glory to glory"?

14. In what practical ways can you pursue this transformation into the image of Christ?

15. How does the knowledge that we are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another encourage you?

16. How can the principles in this chapter affect your relationship with God and with others?

17. How do the concepts in this chapter shape your understanding of the Christian faith and your personal faith journey?

18. How can you share the glory of the New Covenant with others in your life?

19. How does this chapter inform your understanding of the law and grace?

20. How can we apply the lessons from Paul's comparison of the Old and New Covenants to contemporary Christian life and ministry?