2nd Corinthians Chapter 3: Message of Christ Written on the Hearts of Believers Who Reflect the Glory of the Lord; Not on Tables of Stone or as Moses’ Face was Veiled To Israel:

Paul begins the 3rd chapter asking rhetorically if he and his fellow workers needed letters of commendation to the Corinthians or from them, as was apparently the practice of false apostles, 2 Corinthians 3:11 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?

. He answers that the believing Corinthians (members of The Body of Christ) themselves are the epistle (message or letter) written (engraved or inscribed) of all men, because they are declared (rendered apparent) to be the epistle (message or letter) of Christ not written (engraved or inscribed) with ink (as was the Law), but with the Spirit of the Living God, not in tables of stone (as was the law of Moses) but in the fleshly tables of the heart. 2 Corinthians 3:2 - 32 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.

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.

. Key words in these verses:

• Epistle is from the Greek epistole (G1992) found 24 times in the New Testament (NT), most frequently in 2nd Corinthians at 8 times, 3 here in chapter 3; meaning “a written message or letter.”

• Written is from the Greek eggrapho (G1449) found only in these 2 verses in the NT; meaning “to engrave, that is, inscribe, i.e., write in.”

• Tables from the Greek plax (G4109), meaning “a flat surface, plate or tablet - a table,” found only 3 times in the NT, twice here in verse 3 and once in Hebrews 9:44 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

where it refers to the tables on which God’s covenant/testament was written.

• Fleshly is from the Greek sarkinos (G4560) found only here in the NT, meaning “similar to flesh, that is (by analogy) soft, fleshly.” Paul is teaching that the Spirit of God wrote the message of Christ on the heart of believers, as ministered by Paul.

• Heart is from the Greek kardia (G2588), meaning “the heart, figuratively the thoughts or feelings (mind).”

Recapping: The Spirit of God engraves the message of Christ revealed to the Apostle Paul in the hearts of all true believers for all to read, not as was the Law of Commandments written on stone, 2 Corinthians 3:2 - 3. All members of The Body of Christ are a seal of Paul’s Apostleship in the Lord, 1 Corinthians 9:1 - 21 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

; just as all are baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, Romans 6:33 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

; 1 Corinthians 12:1313 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

; Galatians 3:2727 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

and are ambassadors for Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:2020 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

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“And such trust (reliance, confidence) have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient (able or capable) of ourselves to think (reckon, suppose) anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency (ability) is of God; 2 Corinthians 3:4 - 54 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

. The word “trust” is from the Greek “pepoithesis” (G4006) found 6 times in the NT, once in 1st Corinthians, 3 times in 2nd Corinthians and once each in Ephesians and Philippians. It is translated “trust” only here and “confidence” in the other 5 verses, the meaning being “reliance, confidence, trust.” These 2 verses teach what should be obvious; that no one is capable by their own ability to carry out God’s Work. The ability to accomplish God’s Will is through Christ to God-ward. It is Christ working in the believer Who accomplishes God’s Will, as Paul writes in Colossians 1:24 - 2724 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

27 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:

: (verse 24) “Who (Paul) now rejoice in my (Paul’s) sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my (Paul’s) flesh for His (Christ’s) Body's sake, which is the church (The Body of Christ made up of all true believers): (verse 25) Whereof (The Body of Christ) I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you (all true believers), to fulfil the word of God; (verse 26) Even the mystery (secret) which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: (verse 27) To whom (believers, i.e., Saints) God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery (secret) among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Simply put, Christ in each Member of His Body is the riches of the glory of the mystery that Paul preached.

“Who (God) also hath made us (Paul and fellow Apostles) able ministers (teachers, pastors, servants) of the (should be “a”) new testament (covenant); not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” 2 Corinthians 3:66 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

. The word “letter,” found twice in this verse is from the Greek “gramma” (G1121), which means “a writing, note, epistle, book,” obviously from whence we get our English word “grammar.” The “letter” that killeth refers to the Law of Moses as explained in the next verse: “But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones,” 2 Corinthians 3:6a. There was no life in the Law; it was meant to teach that all are sinners and no one except Jesus Christ can keep it, Romans 3:19 - 2019 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

; Romans 4:1515 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

; Romans 7:5 - 85 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.

; Romans 8:22 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

; 1 Corinthians 15:5656 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

, “but the Spirit giveth life,” 2 Corinthians 3:6b.

Christ enabled Paul to be a minister/teacher of a new covenant (compared to the Old one, which was the Law). However, the new covenant ministered by Paul is not the same as the new Covenant offered to Israel referenced in Jeremiah 31:3131 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

. Israel’s New Covenant was briefly experienced by a relatively few Jews who were filled with the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem. It was offered by Peter and the 12 as documented in the first part of the book of Acts. Israel rejected it in short order. It will be established in the future when the Lord writes it on the hearts of all Israel, Jeremiah 31:3333 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

. However the new covenant Christ gave Paul to reveal, 2 Corinthians 3:6, is based on the same precious Shed Blood of Christ upon which Israel’s New Covenant is based. But Paul’s new covenant was a mystery (secret) before it was revealed to Paul in that it is for Gentile believers who have been grafted into Christ, Romans 11:11 - 2411 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

and blessed with all Spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ, Ephesians 1:33 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

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“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 3:77 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:

. Note that the Old covenant is called “the ministration of death” and yet the Children of Israel were afraid to come near Moses when he came down from the mountain with it because his face shown with the reflection of God’s glory, Exodus 34:29 - 3229 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

31 And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.

32 And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.

. And yet, that glory would be “done away.” By comparison, the new covenant revealed to Paul was the ministration of the Spirit and righteousness and exceeded the glory of the Old by far because the glory of the Old ended while that of the new remains (forever), 2 Corinthians 3:8 - 118 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

9 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.

. “Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:” 2 Corinthians 3:1212 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

, i.e., since Paul had such hope (earnest expectation, confidence) he spoke with great plainness of speech. The 3 words plainness of speech are from the Greek “parrhesia” (G3954), which means “all out spokenness, frankness, confidence, assurance.”

“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 3:1313 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:

. This refers to the account in Exodus 34:3333 And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.

33 And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.

that reads: “And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.” Sir Robert Anderson on page 5 of his book “The Gospel and It’s Ministry” writes concerning 2 Corinthians 3:7 - 117 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?

9 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.

: “In Exodus 34:33, the A. V. suggests a false meaning, by inserting till, instead of when. Moses spoke to the people with unveiled face, but when he ceased speaking, he put on a veil that they might not see the glory fading; they were not to know that the glory of the old covenant was transitory.” As a side, speaking of Moses, he lived until he was 120 years of age when he had the same ability of mind and body as a young man. He was the only one in Israel to whom God spoke face to face many times during the last 40 years of his life, Deuteronomy 34:5 - 125 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.

6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.

8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.

9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,

11 In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,

12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.

. And, whereas God spoke to Moses here on earth and he stayed strong and healthy until his death at 120 years, God spoke to the Apostle Paul face to face in the Third Heaven but Paul was afflicted with physical ailments until the end of his life and met a cruel death at the hands of the Romans, 2 Corinthians 12:1 - 101 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

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.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

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“But their (Israel’s) minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail (that Moses put on to hide the fading glory) untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament (Covenant); which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 2 Corinthians 3:1414 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.

- 1514 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.

. Israel as a whole was and are still blinded to the fact that the glory of the Law faded and went away and that vail should have been removed when Christ finished His Work on the Cross of Calvary. “Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3:1616 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

. After the Church, the Body of Christ, is raptured to Heaven as revealed to the Apostle Paul the Great Tribulation will occur and the Lord will put His Spirit in Israel Who will turn to the Lord. It must be stressed that this will occur only because the Lord will write His New Covenant on the hearts of all Israel Jeremiah 31:33.

Next is a verse taken out of context by many who have emblazoned it on the mastheads of newspapers and government monuments for years: “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:1717 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

. The Spirit referenced here is referenced above in 2 Corinthians 3:6, it is the Holy Spirit of God that made Paul and all true believers able ministers of the New Covenant/Testament that gives life to them.

“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 3:1818 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.

. The 2 words “with open” translate 1 Greek word “anakalupto” (G2343) meaning “in the sense of a reversal and to open; unveil, taken away.” It is found only here and earlier in this chapter compounded with another Greek word where it is translated “untaken away” in 2 Corinthians 3:14 meaning “not unveiled or taken away.” The 5 words “beholding as in a glass” translate 1 Greek word “katoptrizomai” (G2734) found only here in the NT. It is a compound word meaning “to mirror oneself, that is, to see reflected.” And so believers today know that, unlike Israel and the Law, all believers since Paul (members of Christ’s Body) have no vail covering the glory of the Lord; and by the work of the Holy Spirit, as each believer looks upon the Glory the glory of the Lord, which is growing in understanding and knowledge of the finished Work of The Lord Jesus Christ, each one reflects that Glory of the Lord in their lives.