The Book of
2 Corinthians 3
18 verses≈ 3 min1 personBSB
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In this chapter
Where we are
- 1–2:13ComfortWhy Paul changed his plans
- 2:14–5:10Treasure in clayThe glory of the new covenantChapter 3
- 5:11–7Be reconciledOpen your hearts; joy restored
- 8–9Generous givingThe gift for the saints
- 10–13Strong in weaknessPaul's defence of his ministry
Ministers of a New Covenant
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Such confidence before God is ours through Christ. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.
And 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
Reflect
A letter anyone can read
Paul says the believers in Corinth are “a letter from Christ,” “known and read by everyone.” People who never open a Bible still read the lives of Christians. What would someone read in yours this week: in your words, your work, the way you treat people at home? Write down one place where you want Christ’s handwriting to show more clearly, and ask the Spirit to write it there.
The Glory of the New Covenant
Now if the ministry of death, which was 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?
For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!
2 Corinthians 3:9
Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it. For if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which endures!
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Paul honors the old covenant: it “came with such glory” that Moses’ face shone. But the law written on stone could only show sin and pronounce its sentence, and its glory was passing. The new covenant brings the Spirit and righteousness, and its glory lasts. The point is not that the first was bad, but that the second is so much better.
Question
Quick question
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the tablets of the law, something had happened to his face (Exodus 34).
Why could the Israelites not gaze at the face of Moses?
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.
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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
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. And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
2 Corinthians 3:16
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
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
Pray
Unveiled
Thank God that “whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” Turn to Him now, and ask Him to lift any veil that still lies over your heart. Pray for someone you love who cannot yet see the glory of Christ. Then ask the Spirit to keep doing what He has begun: to make you more like Jesus, day by day, “with intensifying glory.”
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2 Corinthians 3
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A verse to carry with you
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
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