2 Corinthians 3
2 Corinthians 3 is a section in which the Apostle Paul defends his apostolic ministry and explains the essence of the ministry of the gospel. Paul explains why he and his co-workers do not need to receive letters of recommendation from people, and says that the Corinthians are his very 'letters of recommendation.' He then highlights the difference between Moses' law and the gospel—that is, the old covenant and the new covenant—emphasizing that the ministry of the new covenant is more glorious and brings greater freedom.
1verseAre we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?
2verseYou are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men,
3versebeing revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.
4verseSuch confidence we have through Christ toward God,
5versenot that we are sufficient of ourselves to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God,
6versewho also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7verseBut if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away,
8versewon’t service of the Spirit be with much more glory?
9verseFor if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
10verseFor most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses.
11verseFor if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.
12verseHaving therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,
13verseand not as Moses, who put a veil on his face so that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away.
14verseBut their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away.
15verseBut to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.
16verseBut whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17verseNow the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18verseBut we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Structure and Flow of the Text
- Verses 1-3: Reveals that it is the lives of believers sealed by the Holy Spirit that are the letter of recommendation, not letters of recommendation
- Verses 4-6: Emphasizes that Paul's ministry comes from God, and explains the difference between the law and the Spirit (the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life)
- Verses 7-11: Contrasts the old covenant (letters written on stone), whose glory is temporary and will pass away, with the new covenant (the ministry of the Spirit), whose glory is greater and eternal
- Verses 12-18: Uses the incident of Moses covering his face as an analogy to show that true freedom and transformation are evidenced only through Jesus Christ
Explanation of Key Themes
In this chapter, Paul emphasizes that the Christian community is proven not by external evidence or recommendations, but by changes written on each person's heart by the Holy Spirit. He also underscores the glory of new life and freedom in Christ, and the glory of transformation, by contrasting the old covenant (the law) as something made in letters with the new covenant (the gospel) as something made by the Holy Spirit. Through his references to Moses and Moses' law, he presents the hope that the mystery that had been hidden in the old covenant is revealed through Christ, and that those who believe will gradually become more and more like God.
Meditation Points
- Is there evidence in my life of the gospel as a 'letter' that has been written?
- How am I experiencing the difference between legalistic faith and faith led by the Holy Spirit?
- What form does God's glory take in my life?
Apply It to Me
- Let me reflect that the center of my faith life is not external proof or deeds, but an inner change that God gives.
- If there is any part where I have stayed in legalistic, formal faith, I ask for the freedom and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- I hope to become like God's image day by day in the Holy Spirit, and I have an open heart to change and growth.
