for we all with unveiled face reflecting as in a mirror

#FOR WE ALL WITH UNVEILED FACE REFLECTING AS IN A MIRROR SERIES#

The usage of a new covenant is derived from Jer 31:31– 33 a passage that also speaks of writing on the heart cf. 2 Cor 3:6 further spells out the situation described in v 3b and “names” it: Paul is living within a new covenant, characterized by the Spirit, which gives life. 2 Cor 3:5– 6 return to the question of his qualifications ( 2 Cor 2:16), attributing them entirely to God. Paul’s confidence ( 2 Cor 3:4) is grounded in his sense of God-given mission ( 2 Cor 2:17), the specifics of which are described in 2 Cor 3:1– 3. Ezekiel’s contrast between the heart of flesh that the Spirit gives and the heart of stone that it replaces ( Ez 36:26) the context is covenant renewal and purification that makes observance of the law possible. If they were charismatics who claimed Moses as their model, that would explain the extended treatment of Moses himself and his glory ( 2 Cor 3:7– 4:6). If they were Judaizers zealous for the Mosaic law, that would explain the detailed contrast between the old and the new covenants ( 2 Cor 3:6 4:7– 6:10). These contrasts suggest that the other preachers may have claimed special relationship with Moses. * This verse contrasts Paul’s letter with those written…in ink (like the credentials of other preachers) and those written…on tablets of stone (like the law of Moses).

#FOR WE ALL WITH UNVEILED FACE REFLECTING AS IN A MIRROR SERIES#

* Mention of “letters of recommendation” generates a series of metaphors in which Paul plays on the word “letter”: (1) the community is Paul’s letter of recommendation ( 2 Cor 3:2a) (2) they are a letter engraved on his affections for all to see and read ( 2 Cor 3:2b) (3) they are a letter from Christ that Paul merely delivers ( 2 Cor 3:3a) (4) they are a letter written by the Spirit on the tablets of human hearts ( 2 Cor 3:3b).

Others who engage in self-commendation will also be mentioned in 2 Cor 10:12– 18. Since he is forced to find something that can recommend him, he points to them: their very existence constitutes his letter of recommendation ( 2 Cor 3:1– 2). The Corinthians themselves should have performed this function for Paul ( 2 Cor 5:12 cf. Presumably they reproach him for not possessing similar credentials and compel him to spell out his own qualifications ( 2 Cor 4:2 5:12 6:4). * Paul seems to allude to certain preachers who pride themselves on their written credentials. g 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, * and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.ġ8 * All of us, gazing with unveiled face on the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as from the Lord who is the Spirit. 7 * Now if the ministry of death, * carved in letters on stone, was so glorious that the Israelites could not look intently at the face of Moses because of its glory that was going to fade, e 8how much more * will the ministry of the Spirit be glorious?ĩFor if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, the ministry of righteousness will abound much more in glory.ġ0Indeed, what was endowed with glory has come to have no glory in this respect because of the glory that surpasses it.ġ1For if what was going to fade was glorious, how much more will what endures be glorious.ġ2Therefore, since we have such hope, * we act very boldlyġ3and not like Moses, * who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites could not look intently at the cessation of what was fading.ġ4Rather, their thoughts were rendered dull, for to this present day * the same veil remains unlifted when they read the old covenant, because through Christ it is taken away.ġ5To this day, in fact, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, f 16but whenever a person turns to the Lord the veil is removed. 1 * a Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you?ĢYou are our letter, * written on our hearts, known and read by all,ģ * b shown to be a letter of Christ administered by us, written not in ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.Ĥ * Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.ĥNot that of ourselves we are qualified to take credit for anything as coming from us rather, our qualification comes from God, c 6who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit d for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

For we all with unveiled face reflecting as in a mirror