Lesson 4 2nd Corinthians 3:1-18 Page 5 1

2Co 3:1-4 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 2

Labors spoke for themselves Needed no testimony about apostleship Needed no letters of commendation 3

Their conversion and progress were proof of his apostleship 1Teacher’s quality is seen in fruit of labor Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 2Paul’s fruits testified of his motivation 3False teachers’ fruits testified of their motivation 4

Paul focused on writing Christ on hearts Col 1:27-29 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. 5

2Co 3:5-11 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 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: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 6

2Co 3:9-11 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 7

God’s strength was essential 1.Paul could not be overconfident 1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 8

2. Thorn in the flesh kept Paul humble 2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 9

Paul was sufficient as a minister 1He had confidence in his ability 2He has abandoned Old Testament for New 3Sufficiency is from God, not man 1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 4Sufficiency is from the Gospel 10

THE LAWTHE GOSPEL Of the letterOf the Spirit Ministry of deathMinistry of the Spirit KillsGives life CondemnationRighteousness Limited gloryMuch more glory Not glorious (compared)Excelling in glory Passing AwayRemains 11

2Co 3:12-15 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 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: 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. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 12

2Co 3:16-18 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 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. 13

Boldness came from hope of a reward for faithfulness Spoke openly without doubt or compromise Moses veil illustrates folly of having faith in those who erect barriers 14

1Pe 1:10-12 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 15

TO THE LAWTO THE GOSPEL Complete truth veiledComplete truth unveiled Not see the Savior clearlySee the Savior clearly Hearts hardenedHearts receptive Moses is authorityChrist is Lord Suffer bondageEnjoy liberty No transformationTransformed to glory 16