Off the Shelf Sunday School--2 Corinthians

The New Covenant of Grace (3:1-17)

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  

1.        Some traveling teachers in the early Church, brought letters of recommendation as validation of their abilities and the truth of their teachings. Paul reminded them that he did not need this because they knew him and the truth of what he taught. Their conversion was evidence that God confirmed Paul and worked through him. What are some reasons that evidence of seminary training is important in evaluating the teachings of ministers or pastors? Are there any disadvantages to limiting the selection of teachers, based mainly on seminary credentials?

2.        Paul says that it is the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through him, rather than human credentials, that makes him a valid and competent teacher. He claims his competency comes from God and not men. 

3.        Paul calls the laws of Moses the covenant of death. Why is this? (Rom 3:19-26)

4.        When Moses received the Ten Commandments of God, his face glowed because he was in the presence of God on Mount Sinai. (Ex 34:29-33) This radiance faded with time. However, the glory of those who put their faith in Jesus will never fade, as they will reflect God’s glory. (Rom 8:18-23; Phil 3:20-21; Pet 5:4)

5.        Paul says that the Jews, (and others who do not believe in Jesus), do not accept Jesus because their minds and hearts are darkened, as though covered with a veil. This prevents the light of the gospel from reaching them. This teaching shows that it is by God’s grace that we are saved. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to remove the veil from those God has chosen. (Ti 3:4-7)

6.        Those who are born-again through faith in Jesus are adopted by God. These Christians are declared holy and will shine in the glorious presence of God. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 8:12-18; Phil 2:12-16)