Thursday, February 10, 2011 (top)
Knowing God – Our Greatest Treasure
(2 Corinthians 3:1-4:18)
In these two chapters, Paul seeks to show believers the unique nature of the ministry of the Gospel Christ had given him. The Gospel opens up for the believer a work of God that transforms us by a progressive spiritual understanding of Christ. Paul refers to this transforming work within the Corinthian believers as "living epistles" who proved the reality of the impact of truth in Christ he had taught them (3:1-3).
Paul goes on to contrast the fading glory of the Law of Moses to the magnificent and glorious light of Christ's gospel (3:7-12). This is the glorious light to which Satan seeks to blind people. However, the light of Christ and His Gospel had progressively transformed these believers from glory to glory into becoming more and more like Jesus (3:17-18).
Paul then shows us that this progressive light of the knowledge of God in Christ in turn becomes a treasure chest of power for life within the weak vessels of clay that we are. It is a treasure that allows us to endure extreme pressure, times when we are overwhelmed with perplexity or persecution, or times when we are beaten down so badly that all seems hopeless. This treasure not only enables us to endure all things but also allows us to use these things to put our self-centered idolatry to death. Our spiritual strength is no longer about us, but about the treasure of power and strength found in Christ. This death to self enables us to then minister to the spiritual lives of those around us (4:6-15).
Paul closes this vital teaching by revealing how the ongoing revelation of the knowledge of Christ keeps us from losing heart in a world of opposition (4:16-17). This must be a primary focus for every sincere believer. It is not human invention or philosophies of man but seeing Christ and knowing Him by faith in ever-increasing ways that can transform us. As we know Him experientially, we will be changed to be like Him. Therefore, let the potential of the revelation of the treasure we find in Christ become a passionate force to seek deeper and deeper personal transforming knowledge of Christ.
NKJV Bible Text
2 Corinthians 3:1-4:18
1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
| Christ's Epistle v. 1 Commend Ourselves – In 2:17 Paul contrasted himself with those who had been motivated by financial profit. Paul states here a rhetorical question that will support his declared sincerity in serving them. Epistles of Commendation – It was common for traveling servants of Christ to carry with them letters from recognized leaders concerning their proven integrity in the ministry. However, Paul asked these two questions in verse one because the answer was obvious. There was no need for outside evidence. Paul had proven his character during his sacrificial and lengthy stay with them. v. 3 You Are Our Epistle – The results of Paul's sincere ministry to them was evident by their lives. Paul later reminded them of how different they were after coming to Christ through Paul's teaching. | Spirit of the Living God – The signature of God's work through Paul in their lives was the direct result of the power of the Holy Spirit through a true and living God. Paul's results were not sourced in him or any other man-centered teachings, but in God. Tablets of the Flesh – This is contrasted with tablets of stone. The stone tablets are a reference to the Old Testament law, while the tablets of the flesh or heart are a reference to the inner being of a person that is recreated, or born of the Spirit, through faith in Christ. The result of Paul's ministry, by the work of the Spirit, resulted in their lives being changed. They sought to live in God's will by the power of a new heart. That far exceeded what the tablets of the law could do. The law can tell us what to do and what not to do, but the law gives us no power to obey it. |
The Spirit, Not the Letter
4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
| The Spirit, Not the Letter v. 4 Have Such Trust – Paul is confident that the ministry he had given them would produce results that would glorify God and benefit them. Through Christ – This confidence was not in himself but in God. v. 5 Sufficiency Is From God – Paul further states that his confidence is grounded in what God did in and through his life. New Covenant – "Covenant" describes an agreement entered into by two or more parties. This new agreement was a reference to the new way God had agreed to cleanse sin, remove the judgment sin deserves, and give eternal life through faith in Christ's work on the cross. | v. 6 The Letter – This is a reference to the Old Testament law being powerless to provide a complete and unending solution to humanity's sin. Letter Kills – The Old Testament law proves that all have sinned and deserve the penalty for sin: death. Spirit Gives Life – The Holy Spirit causes a believer to be born of the Spirit, resulting in a completely new source of life. There is, therefore, the capacity to live a victorious life over sin. Ministry of Death – The law ultimately places all people under the judgment of having broken the law, and therefore places all people under the penalty of death. |
Glory of the New Covenant
7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
| Glory of the New Covenant v. 7 Was Glorious – This reference is to the glory of God revealed when the law was given to Moses (Ex. 19:10-25, 20:18-26; Ex. 34:29-35). Face of Moses – After receiving the law, Moses' face radiated light from being in God's presence (Ex. 34:25-34). v. 8 More Glorious – Paul draws a logical conclusion from the fact that if what could not ultimately save humanity, the law, was nonetheless glorious, should not the new covenant be even more glorious? More glorious because it can do for humanity what is needed to save it from the judgment of sin and give a new life in the Spirit. | v. 9 Ministry of Condemnation – This is another term for the law's results. It condemns all of humanity because all of humanity has sinned. Ministry of Righteousness – The New Covenant provides a gift of right standing before God because of Jesus' payment for our sins, and a new life that enables us to live righteously. v. 11 Passing Away – Paul uses the gradual glory that faded from Moses' face as a legitimate picture of the law. It has no permanent solution for sin. Instead, it was called a tutor, or a temporary teacher, to bring us to Christ (Gal. 3:24-25). Primarily to teach us that we are all sinners, that we all break the law and need a better solution. |
12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech— 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
| v. 12 Boldness of Speech – Based on the superiority of the New Covenant, Paul felt completely justified in the boldness he used to set aside the law as a means of sin's solution and proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. v. 13 Unlike Moses – Paul contrasts the boldness he used with the way Moses hid God's glory when he covered his face, lest the people be discouraged in watching the radiance of his face gradually fade. v. 14 Veil Remains – Paul takes this experience of Moses and shows it to be an excellent picture in describing the Jewish sentiments concerning the Old and New Covenant. They had been, in general, unable to see that the law was a fading temporary agreement offered to them. Reading Of the Old Testament – There are many places in the Old Testament that point to the temporary nature of the law as a means of approach to God. However, a hardened condition of the heart resulted in a blindness of the soul and an inability to see the clear teaching of scriptures (Heb. 3:8, 15; 4:7; John 5:38). v. 16 Veil Is Taken Away – When a person is willing to honestly seek Jesus as the Messiah, the Holy Spirit opens up scripture to make alive and clear its complete message. v. 17 Lord Is the Spirit – The Lord, "YAHWEH," is the God of the Old Testament. Jesus is referred to as YAHWEH often in the New Testament. Here Jesus, as the Lord, is identified with God the Holy Spirit. This points to the concept of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one, yet three equal and distinct persons. | Liberty – The promise of freedom from sin's bondage is one of the core promises Jesus came to make real in any who come to Him by faith (John 8:34-36; Luke 4:18). v. 18 We All – The access to the increasing revelation of God in Jesus Christ is available to all who come to Jesus Christ. Unveiled Face – This is contrasted with those whose hard hearts keep them from seeing the revelation of God in the scriptures, as Paul points out in v. 14-16. As In a Mirror – In Paul's day, because mirrors were polished metal, the reflection was not perfect. The thinking here is that by the work of the Holy Spirit within the life of a believer a person can genuinely see the glory of God in the "face" of Christ. Moses' face was covered (v. 13). But when we are born of the Spirit, Jesus' face is not covered. 2Corinthians 4:3-4 tells us, "Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." This is why Paul prays that the spiritual eyes of believers will be opened so they could see the glory in Christ and the glory we can become in Him through a spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph. 1:15-21). Being Transformed – It is in seeing the glory of Jesus progressively, step by step, that we ourselves are changed into that same glory. This is one of the greatest forces in the quest to genuine spiritual maturity. We will all move toward the conformity to the image of Jesus Christ as we see Him, and therefore are in Him (Rom. 8:29). |
2 Corinthians 4
The Light of Christ's Gospel
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
| Chapter 4 The Light Of Christ's Gospel v. 1 We Have This Ministry – In general, this ministry is in serving God and humanity by proclaiming the New Covenant message of Jesus Christ as referred to in 3:7-18. However, this new covenant is more than a message--it is Jesus Christ, Himself. We bring Jesus Himself to this world, not just a message about Him. Not Lose Heart – This phrase refers to someone who has turned away from a conflict because of cowardice. Paul believed that there was no opposition or personal loss that could cause him to turn in fear from the call he had been given. v.2 Renounced Hidden Things – "To renounce" means to turn away from something. Paul says here in verses 1-2 that he will not turn away from the ministry he has been given. But he has turned away from hidden agendas and hypocrisy. Paul had in mind those who had been ministering to the Corinthians with the end result of turning them away from solid teaching to destructive heresies. Word of God Deceitfully – These false teachers had come among the sheep like wolves in sheep's clothing. They had done so by cloaking themselves with God's Word. However, the fact was that they twisted the scriptures to serve their own lusts for power and finances. Manifestation of the Truth – In this, we see the way approved by God to handle His Word. We are simply to present its declared truth rather than manipulate it in a way that alters its revelation of truth. That is why we have no right to mix the scriptures, the passing philosophies, and traditions of man. Neither are we to soften its edges and explain away plain truth that often is in opposition to a world in rebellion to God. Conscience In the Sight of God – The conscience is the function of the mind that weighs what is right or wrong. However, one's conscience is only as effective as the information that it has to draw upon. That is why Paul says that for the conscience to come up with the right judgment, it must do so in the light of God. Without that, it is easy to see how people can have strong convictions about what they believe, yet, given clearer light on the facts, will admit the error of their conclusions. | v. 3 Who Are Perishing – Paul explains why there are some who, by their conscience and reasoning, do not see the truth contained in the gospel. They are still in a lost state; they lack the spiritual faculty to come to a reasoned conclusion about its truthfulness. v. 4 God of This Age – This phrase refers to Satan, who since the fall of man has enjoyed the allegiance of a human race in rebellion to God. Ephesians 2:1-2 and 6:12 make it clear that Satan exercises great power and authority over humanity (Mt. 4:8; John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11; 2 Tim. 2:16; 1 John 5:19). Has Blinded – This is an appropriate way to describe the condition of humanity in relation to God and His gospel. Just as a physically blind person cannot see the glory of nature or beauty of art, the lost cannot see the glory of God or His gospel unless the Holy Spirit opens his blinded eyes. Light of the Gospel – Light is a symbol for knowledge. Just as the sun dispels the darkness of the night, so the light of the Gospel dispels the darkness of unbelief. In Satan's efforts to keep humanity in blindness, he fosters anything that strengthens an attraction to darkness or provides a counterfeit to the true light of the knowledge of God. Image of God – Here we have one of the many affirmations of the deity of Jesus Christ. v. 5 Not Preach Ourselves – Paul declares this in order to put himself in direct contrast to those who had been "preaching themselves" and in opposition to Paul and the truth he preached. Paul did not allow himself to become a tool in Satan's hands, which would result in attracting people away from the light that is in Jesus Christ. v. 6 Commanded Light – This reference to creation (Gen. 1:3) is a fitting example of how to describe the need for God to create spiritual light for our darkened souls. |
Cast Down but Unconquered
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.
| Cast Down But Unconquered v. 7 This Treasure – This treasure is the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Earthen Vessel – These vessels referred to pots that were replaceable and of small value compared to pots made of precious metals. Of God – Paul likens himself to a clay pot not worth much in itself. But it contains a priceless treasure: the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His gospel. As an "earthen vessel" all attention and credit goes to Jesus, and not the messenger. v. 8 Paul We Are – In verses 8-9, Paul uses a metaphor to show the weakness of the vessel he is. However, he can be empowered by the knowledge of Jesus within him to be more than able to deal with overwhelming odds. Hard pressed – Paul's ministry brought extreme pressure on him. However, because of the power and strength of the treasure within (v. 6-7), he was not crushed under this pressure. Perplexed – Paul's ministry also took him into baffling situations. Because of the Lord within him, he was not in despair, as he knew God always had a purpose and a plan. v. 9 Persecuted – The suffering Paul went through as he preached the gospel was beyond what he could bear by himself. He endured the hate and rejection and violence from so many different types of people because of the treasure in knowing Jesus, who would never leave him or forsake him. | Struck Down – Paul was beaten down both spiritually and physically many times. However, he knew the amazing power of Christ within him that enabled him to get back up every time and go forward to proclaim Jesus and His Gospel. v. 10 In the Body the Dying – Paul's life was exposed to constant situations that required him to deny himself, to "lose his life." He likened this daily process to Jesus' giving up His will and life to redeem humanity. Life of Jesus – The resurrection power of Christ's life fills the vacuum that death to self brings. Paul described this in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." In Our Body – Paul says that in our weak human condition, Christ reveals the reality of His glory as He gives us power to overcome the weaknesses of being "clay pots." v. 11 Are Always Delivered – Paul saw God's providential hand in the constant need he had to deny himself and thereby open the way to be a manifestation of what the life of Jesus within him can do. v. 12 Life In You – It was the life that came out of death to self as described in v. 7-11 that brought forth the ministry of spiritual life Paul imparted to those he served. Spirit of Faith – Paul applies what he had just taught to the present situation. Even though so much had happened to undermine his ministry to these Corinthians, he would not allow this to crush, perplex, forsake, or destroy his ministry to them. By faith in the treasure of Jesus within, he was determined to continue to proclaim the uncompromising truth of Jesus. |
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Seeing the Invisible
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
| v. 13 I Believed – This is a quote from the Greek translation of Psalm 116:10. Therefore Speak – Paul's unwavering commitment to proclaim the truth was sourced in his confidence in the One he spoke for--Jesus Christ. v. 14 Raise Us Up – The assurance of the resurrection, and the validation it will bring to all Paul stood for and taught, strengthened Paul's resolve to not waiver. v. 15 For Your Sakes – In contrast with those who ministered primarily for their own gain (2:17), Paul reveals that his purpose was for the benefit of those he served. To the Glory of God – Rather than bringing glory to himself, it was Paul's goal to bring glory to God in Christ by the effective spreading of the knowledge of Jesus and His gospel of grace. | Seeing the Invisible v. 16 Being Renewed – Paul contrasts his inner man, who is born of the Spirit, with his outward man, which is headed to the grave. Paul was a living proof of the renewing power of the knowledge of Jesus. Seen As Temporary – Paul kept in perspective the fact that the physical world is of little relative value compared with his eternal relationship with Jesus Christ. v. 17 Light Affliction – Paul considered the many afflictions he faced because of his ministry as light compared to the eternal glory he would share in. v. 18 Do Not Look – Paul reveals here one of the secrets as to why he does "not lose heart" (v. 16). He looks at his temporal life in view of eternity. |
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