2 Corinthians 3

2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Paul’s Divine Calling: The Gospel Ministry Excels that of Moses - In 2 Corinthians3:1-18 we again get a glimpse of what a man looks like who is walking in a mature level of sanctification. It is important to note that this passage gives us a perspective of the role of the Holy Spirit as He calls God’s servants to a ministry of reconciling the world back to God. We immediately see a man who has dedicated his life to Christian service. In 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 Paul explains how he needs no commendations from men to carry out his duties, for he has been divinely qualified by God. Paul illustrates the importance of his calling by referring to the story of Moses as he ministered the Law and statutes to the children of Israel in the wilderness. He explains the glory of his ministry over that of Moses who taught the Law in order to reconcile the Jews unto God. Such a high calling given to Paul far outweighs that given to Moses, whose face shown with God’s glory while delivering the Laws (2 Corinthians 3:7-18). Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. Explanation — 2 Corinthians 3:1-62. Illustration — 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Illustration: Comparing His Ministry to that of Moses – In 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 Paul illustrates the importance of his calling by referring to the story of Moses as he ministered the Law and statutes to the children of Israel in the wilderness. He explains the glory of his ministry over that of Moses who taught the Law in order to reconcile the Jews unto God. Such a high calling given to Paul far outweighs that given to Moses, whose face shown with God’s glory while delivering the Laws (2 Corinthians 3:7-18). The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has been written in our hearts, bringing about righteousness, resulting in eternal life. In contrast, the Law of Moses was written upon stone, bringing transgression and condemnation, which Law was fulfilled in Christ. Moses’ Veil – When Paul attempts to illustrate the glory of the first covenant, he describes the most glorious event of the giving of this covenant, which was the glory that shown on the face of Moses as he delivered the laws and statutes of this covenant. The underlying message in this passage in 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 is that this glorious ministry that has been imparted unto Paul of proclaiming the riches of Christ exceeds the glory of the old covenant under the Law. However, in 2 Corinthians 3:13-18 Paul takes a digression to explain the symbolism and meaning of Moses’ veil. Otherwise, his main thought would read: 2 Corinthians 3:12 to 2 Corinthians 4:1, “Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech…Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;” In other words, Paul recognizes his glorious calling (2 Corinthians 3:1-18), which inspires hope to persevere (2 Corinthians 4:1-16). This is the underlying theme of this passage of Scripture. 2 Corinthians 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 2 Corinthians 3:7 — Comments - In 2 Corinthians 3:7 Paul describes the Law as an “instrument of death,” and particularly the Ten Commandments, which was the part of the Mosaic Law engraved in stones. This is because it brought the curse upon all those who transgressed its statutes. Of course, man’s sinful nature meant that everyone would transgress at some point in their lives, thus, the Law condemned all to death. This is because the wages of sin is death. The purpose of the Law was to bring condemnation so that a person would come to the end of his own self-righteousness and look unto God for redemption. 2 Corinthians 3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 2 Corinthians 3:8 — Comments – The ministry of the Spirit of God is more glorious than that of the Law in that it provides life for all who submit to God, while the Law could only minister death, since no one could perfectly obey its rules. 2 Corinthians 3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 2 Corinthians 3:9 — Comments – The phrase “ministration of condemnation” accurately defines the function of the Mosaic Law. It ministered to the children of Israel by continually finding fault with their lives and demanding that sacrifices be made in the Temple. The Law was unable to minister life to those under its rules, since no one was able to perfectly obey the Law. Instead, it ultimately ministered death to everyone. 2 Corinthians 3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 2 Corinthians 3:10 — Comments – That which had been glorious (i.e., the giving of the law on Mount Sinai) does not even compare to the glorious ministration of righteousness and life in Christ Jesus. Even though that awesome day on Mount Sinai with all its manifestations was glorious (Exodus 4:29-31), the scene on Calvary and Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation far out shined in glory. 2 Corinthians 3:11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 2 Corinthians 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 2 Corinthians 3:12 — Comments – 2 Corinthians 3:1-11 has been spoken with much assurance, boldness, and openness, and plainness of speech, not hiding facts. Paul uses the plural subject in this statement, since this epistle was from Paul and Timothy. 2 Corinthians 1:1, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:” Note other Pauline epistles that were co-authored:

1. Colossians was also from Paul and Timothy.
2. 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians were from Paul, Silvanus and Timothy.
3. 1 Corinthians was from Paul and Sosthenes. 2 Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: 2 Corinthians 3:13 — “And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face” - Comments – The story of Moses wearing a veil to hide his glory is found in Exodus 34:29-35. 2 Corinthians 3:13 — “that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look” – Comments – Christ Jesus is the end, or fulfillment, of the law for righteousness (Romans 10:4, Galatians 3:23). Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Galatians 3:23, “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.” 2 Corinthians 3:13 — “of that which is abolished” – Comments – BDAG offers two possible translations. (1) If the subject of the participle of καταργέω (that which is abolished) is the Mosaic Law, then he translates the word to mean, “abolish, wipe out, set aside.” This is the Mosaic Law which has now been abolished. (2) However, BDAG says if the subject of this participle is the vail (κάλυμμα), then the verb should be translated “remove.” Moses’ face shone as a result of spending time on Mount Sinai, and this splendor began fading as he spent time back in the camp of Israel; but even this fading glory could not be gazed at by the children of Israel. NIV, “while the radiance was fading away.” 2 Corinthians 3:13 — Comments – Moses’ veiled face represents Israel not being able to understand the fulfillment of the Messiah in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:14). John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” 2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 2 Corinthians 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:16 — Comments – When someone turns to Jesus, the veil is removed off of the Old Testament, just like the veil was removed off of Moses’ face. Thus, we can behold His Glory. The pronoun “it” refers to the nation of Israel. 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 — Comments – The Blindness of Israel and the Gentiles – In 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 Paul mentions the fact that the Jews have been blinded unto this day as to their Messiah. When we refer back to 2 Corinthians 2:16, which describes the Gospel as “the savour of death unto death” unto those who are perishing, we understand that Paul is referring to the Jews who have been blinded (2 Corinthians 3:14-16) and to the Gentiles who believe not (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 — Comments – When a Jew turns to Jesus, he becomes free from the law of sin and death. Paul was a Jew. Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Galatians 5:13, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 — “But we all, with open face” – Comments - Under the new covenant, we have an uncovered, unveiled face. 2 Corinthians 3:18 — “beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord” – Comments - By the indwelling Spirit of God, we are able to “contemplate” our “reflections” (BDAG) of Christlikeness. Day by day, our reflection becomes and more like His. 2 Corinthians 3:18 — “are changed into the same image from glory to glory” – Comments – God changes us a little at a time. He gives us revelations and insights little by little. If he did it all at once, our flesh could not contain it. Also, He does not bring us into certain levels either, because we are not spiritually ready for such responsibility. 1 Corinthians 3:2, “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” Note a similar construction in the Old Testament: Psalms 84:7, “They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.” Also, note similar constructions in the New Testament: Romans 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 6:19, “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” 2 Corinthians 2:16, “To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?” Philippians 2:27, “For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had — mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” Note how Frances J. Roberts uses this type of word structure: “As Martha in her desire to minister to Me forfeited My nearness, so thou hast done. My child, I have need of nothing. I desire only thy love. Give Me this first always, and whatsoever service may follow, thou wilt then do with light feet and a heart set free. Abandon to Me thy whole being, and I will then work in and through thee in such a way that even as I am using thee, thou shalt simultaneously experience My energizing power; so that in the very process of giving, thou shalt in very truth receive even beyond what ye give, and shall in each instance emerge richer and stronger. There is no loss when ye serve Me thus.

For when thy life is wholly lost in My life, there is never anything but gain. As the prophet of old exclaimed, ‘They go from strength to strength’. Only sin worketh death and loss. Righteousness worketh life and health.”[56] [56] Frances J. Roberts, Come Away My Beloved (Ojai, California: King’s Farspan, Inc., 1973), 79.However, based upon the context of this passage of Scripture, Andrew Wommack believes the phrase “from glory to glory” refers to the glory of the old covenant being changed into the greater glory of the new covenant.[57] [57] Andrew Wommack, “Hebrew Highlights: The Law Has Power,” Andrew Wommack Ministries [on-line]; accessed 7 March 2012; available from Internet.2 Corinthians 3:18 — Comments - God is working in man through Jesus Christ to restore is in spirit, soul, and body into the same image and glory of God, of which we were created to be in the beginning.