◄ 2 Corinthians 3 ►
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Summary Ministers of a New Covenant 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. Teaching Points The Living Epistle Paul describes the Corinthians as a letter from Christ (2 Corinthians 3:3), written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. This highlights the personal and relational nature of the new covenant. The Ministry of the Spirit The chapter contrasts the old covenant, which was engraved in letters on stone and brought death, with the new covenant of the Spirit, which brings life (2 Corinthians 3:6-7). The Glory of the New Covenant Paul explains that the glory of the new covenant surpasses that of the old. The old covenant had glory, but it was fading; the new covenant is permanent and more glorious (2 Corinthians 3:9-11). Transformation through the Spirit The chapter concludes with the transformative work of the Spirit, stating, And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Practical Applications Reflect Christ in Your Life Consider how your actions and words serve as a letter to those around you. Are you reflecting the love and truth of Christ? Embrace the Spirit's Work Acknowledge the Holy Spirit's role in transforming your heart and mind. Seek to be open to His guidance and conviction. Live in the Freedom of the New Covenant Understand that you are no longer bound by the law but are free to live in the Spirit. Let this freedom motivate you to pursue holiness and righteousness. Seek God's Glory Make it a daily practice to contemplate the Lord’s glory and allow His presence to transform you into His likeness. People 1. Paul Paul is the author of the letter and an apostle of Jesus Christ. In this chapter, he speaks about his role as a minister of the new covenant, emphasizing the sufficiency that comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). 2. Moses Moses is referenced as the mediator of the old covenant. Paul contrasts the glory of Moses' ministry, which was temporary and fading, with the surpassing glory of the new covenant in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:7, 13). The Greek term "Μωϋσῆς" (Mōusēs) is used for Moses. 3. The Spirit The Holy Spirit is mentioned as the one who gives life and enables the ministry of the new covenant. Paul highlights that the letter of the law kills, but the Spirit gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6, 8, 17-18). The Greek word "Πνεῦμα" (Pneuma) is used for Spirit. 4. The Lord The Lord, referring to Jesus Christ, is described as the Spirit who brings freedom. Paul explains that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom, and believers are being transformed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). The Greek term "Κύριος" (Kyrios) is used for Lord. Places 1. The Heart The chapter speaks of the "tablets of human hearts" (2 Corinthians 3:3), contrasting the old covenant written on stone with the new covenant written on hearts. The Greek word for heart, "καρδία" (kardia), signifies the center of spiritual life. 2. The Letter and the Spirit Paul contrasts the "letter" that kills with the "Spirit" that gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6). This refers to the old covenant law versus the new covenant of the Spirit. The Greek word for spirit, "πνεῦμα" (pneuma), emphasizes the life-giving aspect of the Holy Spirit. 3. The Face of Moses The chapter references the glory on Moses' face when he received the law (2 Corinthians 3:7). This is a metaphorical place of encounter with God, drawing from Exodus 34:29-35. 4. The Veil Paul discusses the veil that remains over the hearts of those who read the old covenant without turning to Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14-15). The veil symbolizes spiritual blindness or separation from understanding the full glory of God. 5. The Freedom of the Spirit The chapter concludes with the idea that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17). This freedom is a spiritual state or place of liberation from the law's condemnation. Events 1. Paul's Defense of His Ministry (2 Corinthians 3:1-3) Paul begins by addressing the need for commendation, stating, "Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?" . He emphasizes that the Corinthians themselves are his letter, "written on our hearts, known and read by everyone" . This metaphor highlights the transformation in the believers' lives as evidence of his ministry's authenticity. 2. The New Covenant Ministry (2 Corinthians 3:4-6) Paul contrasts the old covenant with the new, stating, "Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God" . He describes himself as a minister of a new covenant, "not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" . The Greek word for "letter" (γράμμα, gramma) refers to the written law, while "Spirit" (πνεῦμα, pneuma) signifies the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. 3. The Glory of the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) Paul contrasts the glory of the old covenant, which was "engraved in letters on stone" and came with glory, with the surpassing glory of the new covenant. He writes, "If the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?" . The temporary nature of the old covenant's glory is highlighted by the Greek word for "fleeting" (καταργούμενον, katargoumenon), meaning being rendered ineffective or passing away. 4. Boldness in the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:12-13) Paul speaks of the boldness that comes from the hope in the new covenant, saying, "Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away" . The veil symbolizes the obscured understanding under the old covenant. 5. The Veil Removed in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14-16) Paul explains that the minds of the Israelites were hardened, and "to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed" . The Greek word for "veil" (κάλυμμα, kalymma) signifies a covering that obscures understanding, which is removed in Christ. 6. Transformation by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) Paul concludes with the transformative power of the Spirit, stating, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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" . The Greek word for "transformed" (μεταμορφούμεθα, metamorphoumetha) indicates a profound change in form or nature, reflecting the ongoing spiritual transformation of believers. Connections to Additional Scriptures Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. Romans 8:2 For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. Hebrews 8:6 But now Jesus has received a more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. Prayer Points Thanksgiving for the New Covenant Thank God for the new covenant established through Jesus Christ and the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit. Transformation and Reflection Pray for the Holy Spirit to transform you into the image of Christ and help you reflect His glory to others. Openness to the Spirit Ask for a heart that is open and responsive to the leading and conviction of the Holy Spirit. Boldness in Witness Pray for the courage to be a living epistle, boldly sharing the message of Christ through your life and testimony. Bible Study Questions 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? Topics 1. The Ministry of the Spirit vs. the Letter (2 Corinthians 3:1-6) Paul contrasts the old covenant, which is based on the letter of the law, with the new covenant, which is of the Spirit. He emphasizes that the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. The Greek word for "letter" (γράμμα, gramma) refers to the written code, while "Spirit" (πνεῦμα, pneuma) signifies the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. 2. The Glory of the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) Paul discusses the surpassing glory of the new covenant compared to the old. The old covenant, associated with Moses and the law, had glory, but it was fading. The new covenant, through the Spirit, has a permanent and greater glory. The Greek term for "glory" (δόξα, doxa) is central to understanding the divine presence and majesty revealed in the new covenant. 3. The Unveiled Faces of Believers (2 Corinthians 3:12-18) Paul explains that unlike Moses, who veiled his face to hide the fading glory, believers in Christ have unveiled faces, reflecting the Lord's glory. This transformation into the likeness of Christ is by the Spirit. The Greek word for "unveiled" (ἀνακεκαλυμμένος, anakekalymmenos) signifies openness and transparency in the believer's relationship with God. Themes 1. The Ministry of the Spirit Paul contrasts the old covenant, which was based on the letter of the law, with the new covenant, which is based on the Spirit. He states, "He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Corinthians 3:6). The Greek word for "Spirit" (πνεῦμα, pneuma) emphasizes the life-giving and transformative power of the Holy Spirit. 2. The Glory of the New Covenant The new covenant is described as more glorious than the old. Paul writes, "For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!" (2 Corinthians 3:9). The Greek word for "glory" (δόξα, doxa) signifies the divine radiance and honor associated with the new covenant. 3. The Veil and Spiritual Blindness Paul uses the imagery of a veil to describe the spiritual blindness of those who do not accept the new covenant. He explains, "But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed" (2 Corinthians 3:14). The veil symbolizes the inability to perceive the full truth of the gospel without Christ. 4. Freedom in Christ The theme of freedom is central, as Paul declares, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17). The Greek word for "freedom" (ἐλευθερία, eleutheria) indicates liberation from the constraints of the law and sin, achieved through the Spirit. 5. Transformation into Christ’s Likeness Believers are being transformed into the image of Christ, reflecting His glory. Paul writes, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Greek word for "transformed" (μεταμορφόω, metamorphoō) suggests a profound change in form and nature, akin to spiritual metamorphosis. Bible Hub Chapter Summaries and Bible Study Questions