2 Corinthians 3
-Chapter 3 can be summed up “finding the glory of the Spirit
of the LORD in the New Covenant through Christ Jesus.” Paul begins with
rhetorical questions on commendation to which, by verse two, Paul says that the
Corinthian believers were the “letter of recommendation” written in the
apostles’ hearts. These “letters” (the believers) were known and read by all
men. *Application* We are a letter sent out into the world by God Himself. Live
sent!
-Paul is telling the Corinthians they are manifested as a
letter of Christ Jesus, cared for and growing with equipping from the apostles
not with ink or stone (the Old Covenant), but with the Spirit of the Living God
in the human heart of faith. Christ is our confidence with respect towards God
(2 Corinthians 3:4). Verse five goes on to relate that since our sufficiency is
not in ourselves (it is from God, He is the source), we have done nothing to
merit adequacy on our own. It is God through His Spirit and the work of Jesus
Christ that has made us ample as servants of a New Covenant of the Spirit,
which gives life unveiled! *Application* The Spirit filled life is a work of
God alone and we must realize this. A puffed up and arrogant attitude of righteous
superiority can easily come into play when we feel we are doing well. But be
careful, our adequacy is from the Lord and in His strength. Don’t go it alone
or you will be left striving in your own strength and find yourself struggling,
tired, and worn out. It is all IN Christ!
-The writer presents a contrast now between the letter (referring
to the Law of the Torah, the Old Covenant), which has the ministry of death and
kills with its potency, and the Spirit (the New Covenant purchased in Christ’s
blood, Luke 22:20), which brings life and indwells the believer for power and
glory in the Lord. Paul says both the letter and the Spirit come with glory,
but the letter (the ministry of condemnation) was fading; whereas the glory of
the Spirit (the ministry of righteousness) was abounding more and more, from
glory to glory. This, Paul rightly concludes, means that what had glory (the
Law, the letter) is now surpassed by the glory of the New Covenant in the Holy
Spirit. In other words, the Spirit’s glory remains whereas the glory of the
letter faded. The result in verse twelve is that because of this hope within us
of the Spirit we have great boldness in our attitudes, words, and life. We need
no veil, like Moses did, because we will never fade or grow dim. Paul says that
there is still (which goes to even our current era) a veil over the hardened
Hebrews because Christ is the only One who can remove this veil, or covering over.
He is the One who brings light and understanding of the Lord’s glory (2
Corinthians 3:14-16). “The Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord
is, there is freedom (liberty, unveiling, no more bondage to sin) (2
Corinthians 3:17).” *Application* We, as New Covenant believers, have the
unveiling, and we are beholding the true glory of the Lord as we are
transformed into His image from glory (letter, the pointing to) to glory (the
Spirit, life eternal) through the work of Christ Jesus on the cross of Calvary
(the construction of the phrase would be translated literally “from glory into
glory,” 2 Corinthians 3:18). Live life fully (John 10:10)! Remember that with
great freedom comes great responsibility. God holds us accountable to live in
His power and do His great and mighty deeds as we live by His Spirit in newness
of life. Any less will grieve and quench His Spirit and Its operation in your
life. Be bold in your faith!
Verses to Memorize- 2
Corinthians 3:5, 16-18
No comments:
Post a Comment