Paul defends his ministry by pointing to the transformed lives of the Corinthians. They are his letter of recommendation — evidence of Christ’s work through the Spirit.
He contrasts the Old Covenant (written on stone tablets) with the New Covenant (written on hearts by the Spirit). The “letter kills” refers to the Law exposing sin and bringing condemnation. The Spirit gives life through Christ.
Paul references Exodus 34, where Moses’ face shone with God’s glory but was veiled. That glory was real but temporary. The New Covenant ministry, grounded in righteousness through Christ, carries greater and lasting glory.
The “veil” represents spiritual blindness. When someone turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
Believers now behold the Lord’s glory openly and are progressively transformed into His image.
Major themes:
- New Covenant vs Old Covenant
- Spirit-given life
- Greater, lasting glory
- Removal of spiritual blindness
- Ongoing transformation
Christ Foreshadowing — 2 Corinthians 3 (Condensed)
This chapter fulfills the promise of a New Covenant foretold by Jeremiah — a law written on hearts.
Where Moses mediated fading glory, Christ mediates lasting glory. He removes the veil and grants access to God’s presence.
The righteousness that the Law could not produce is now given through Him. The Spirit, poured out because of Christ, transforms believers into His likeness.
The glory once reflected on Moses’ face
Now shines in the face of Christ —
And through Him,
In those who belong to Him.
2 Corinthians 3
(Verse 1)
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again?
Do we need letters of approval?
You yourselves are our letter —
Written on our hearts,
Known and read by all.
(Verse 2)
You show that you are a letter from Christ,
Delivered through us,
Written not with ink
But with the Spirit of the living God.
Not on tablets of stone,
But on tablets of human hearts.
(Chorus)
Our sufficiency is from God.
Ministers of a new covenant —
Not of the letter that kills,
But of the Spirit who gives life.
For where the Spirit of the Lord is,
There is freedom.
(Verse 3)
The ministry carved in stone
Came with glory —
So bright that Israel
Could not gaze at Moses’ face.
Yet that glory was fading.
How much more
Will the ministry of the Spirit
Overflow in glory?
(Verse 4)
If condemnation came with glory,
How much greater
Is righteousness through Christ?
What once shone
Is surpassed
By the glory that remains.
(Bridge)
We are not like Moses,
Who placed a veil
Over his face.
But when one turns to the Lord,
The veil is removed.
(Verse 5)
Now the Lord is the Spirit,
And where the Spirit of the Lord is,
There is freedom.
And we all, with unveiled face,
Beholding the glory of the Lord,
Are being transformed
Into the same image —
From glory to glory.
(Ending)
This comes from the Lord
Who is the Spirit.
