Introductory remarks:
"Paul says the church members prove that God is working through him. If the giving of the Law, which brought condemnation, was so glorious that the people couldn't look at Moses, how much more glorious must the covenant of righteousness be? Moses wore a veil to hide the fact the glory was fading. There is a similar veil over the Jews, making them unable to see that the glory of the covenant of the Law is replaced by the lasting glory of the new covenant" (A Survey of 2 Corinthians - By Brenda). This chapter may be outlined as follows: Ministers of the New Covenant vv. 1-18.
Ministers of the New Covenant
Verse 1, "Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?"
LGT "Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or need we, as some, a commendatory epistle to you or from you?"
Do we begin again to commend ourselves: the word "commend" here means to boast foolishly beyond measure. Paul is forced by his enemies to boast of his ministry, however, we must remember that Paul did not take credit for his grace ministry, but gave God all the glory. Or need we, as some, a commendatory epistle to you or from you: the false teachers came with letters from Judea promoting them as teachers of the Word. Paul says that he did not need a letter to recommend him, for he was a true apostle, called by the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 2, "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men."
LGT "Ye are our epistle, having been inscribed in our hearts, being known and being read of all men."
Ye are our epistle, having been inscribed in our hearts: as long as the Corinthians keep learning Bible doctrine, that was what was dear to Paul's heart. Being known and being read of all men: Paul now shifts the emphasis to the Church, in that, by their understanding Bible doctrine and living it, they were evidence of the truth of the Word of God.
Vincent notes:
"The figure itself is that of a commendatory letter representing the Corinthian Church: 'Ye are our letter.' This figure is carried out in three directions:1. As related to the apostles' own consciousness. The Corinthian Church is a letter written on the apostles' hearts. Their own consciousness testifies that the Church is the fruit of a divinely accredited, honest, and faithful ministry. 2. As related to the Corinthians themselves. The church needs no letter to commend the apostles to it. It is its own commendation. As the visible fruit of the apostles' ministry they are a commendatory letter to themselves. If the question arises among them, 'Were Paul and his colleagues duly commissioned?' - the answer is, 'We ourselves are the proof of it.' 3. As related to others outside of the Corinthian Church. The answer to the charge that the Corinthians have been taught by irregular and uncomissioned teachers is the same: 'Behold the fruit of their labors in us. We are their commission.'"
Verse 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 fleshly tables of the heart."
LGT "Being manifested that ye are Christ's epistle, ministered by us, having been inscribed not with ink, but with [the] Spirit of [the] Living God; not on tables of stone, but on fleshly tables of [the] heart."
Being manifested: It was shown to all that they were Christians. That ye are Christ's epistle: the Corinthian believers were the epistles of Christ by their conversion. Even their faith is manifest because of Christ. Ministered by us: they became epistles through the ministry of Paul and his companions, that is, they were converted under Paul's direct ministry. Having been inscribed not by ink: not with ink, as this epistle he was presently writing, and the first one he wrote them. This was an epistle written on their hearts that could not be erased, and was manifest to all. But with the Spirit of the Living God: the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, and manifest God's grace in every heart. "If [since] written by the Spirit of the Living God, it was far more valuable, and precious, and permanent than any record which could be made by ink. Every trace of the Spirit's influences on the heart was an undoubted proof that God had sent the apostles; and was proof which they would much more sensibly and tenderly feel than they could any letter of recommendation written in ink" (Barnes). Not on tables of stone: Paul is obviously referring to the Ten Commandments, which was given to Moses. The false teachers sent by the Judaizers who perverted them by saying that they must be circumcised and keep the Sabbath, etc. But on fleshly tables of the heart: "This testimonial was of more value than an inscription on stone, because, (1.) No hand but that of God could reach the heart, and inscribe these truths there. (2.) Because it would be attended with a life-giving and living influence. It was not a mere dead letter. (3.) Because it would be permanent" (Barnes).
Verse 4, "And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward."
LGT "And such confidence have we through the Christ toward God."
None of what Paul has said is conceit on his part, because he says it is because of Christ that he has done these things.
Verse 5, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God."
LGT "Not that we are competent from ourselves, to reckon any thing as of ourselves, but our competency [is] from God."
Paul never claimed to be self-confident; what he did say was, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). "God is not looking for some big something or some big somebody. If he had wanted that, He couldn't use me, and He couldn't use you. God chooses the weak things of this world, little things, insignificant things to accomplish His purposes. Our sufficiency is of God" (McGee).
Verse 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."
LGT "Who also made us sufficient for such confidence as servants of a new covenant, not of [the] letter, but of Spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit quickens."
Who also made us sufficient for such confidence: in spite of their weaknesses, God was able to make them fit for His service, because of their willingness. As servants of a new covenant: this new covenant is the covenant of grace. The article is missing, so it means a new covenant, that is, a covenant of grace. The term new covenant in the gospels and the epistles never refers to the collection of New Testament writings - Vincent. Not of [the] letter: those false apostles that came without the call of God, making the grace of God depend on good works; these false ministers perverted the grace of God, and made salvation depend on, among many things, keeping the law. But of the Spirit: the contrast between the two covenants, that is, the old economy and this new economy of grace is quite evident. This new covenant of grace can only be understood as the Holy Spirit enlightens us. For the letter kills: under the old economy the penalty of breaking the Law, in many cases was death; but the complete meaning of this phrase is that there was no provision for our salvation under the Law, that is, man can not clean himself up, nor be good enough to be accepted by God; for the Law was given as a "Schoolmaster" to bring all to Christ. But the Spirit quickens: eternal life is the free gift of God's grace to all who will but simply accept His gift. The two economies are contrasted By Calvin: "In the first place, Paul calls the Law the ministry of death. Secondly, he says, that the doctrine of it was written in letters, and with ink. Thirdly, that it was engraven on stones. Fourthly, that it was not of perpetual duration; but instead of this, its condition was temporary and fading. And fifthly, he calls it the ministry of condemnation. To render the antithesis complete, it would have been necessary for him to employ as many corresponding clauses in reference to the gospel; but he has merely spoken of it as being the ministry of the spirit, and of righteousness, and as enduring forever". Paul goes on in the epistle to the Ephesians and calls all the benefits of the covenant of grace, the riches of grace. These Riches of grace have been listed by Chafer, in his lectures in Systematic Theology, which we have studied several times over the years, and have received God's blessing through them.
Verse 7, "But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away,"
LGT "But if the ministration of death, having been engraven on stones by means of letters, was produced with glory, so that the children of Israel were not able to look intently into the face of Moses, on account of the glory of his face, which was passing away."
But if the ministration of death: it is marked out by the outcome of death, because the letter kills. The Law meant death to the sinner. Having been engraven on stones by means of letters: Paul is speaking of the Ten Commandments. "The ministration of death is that of Moses, and does not apply to his entire career as Israel's lawgiver, but to his particular ministry in receiving on Sinai and transmitting to the people the law of God. The ministration may be said to have been graven on stones, since the whole purport of that economy which he represented was contained in the tables, and he was its minister in bring the agent through whom God delivered it to the people" (Vincent). Was produced with glory: there was nothing wrong with the law itself; it was a righteous law, but it condemned man. God's glory was shown in it. So that the children of Israel were not able to look intently into the face of Moses, on account of the glory of his face: And His glory shone in Moses' face; the laws of God are all perfect and righteous as God is perfect and righteous. Which was passing away: literally, being brought to nothing (Rom. 3:3). The law could not bring life, it could only reveal to man that he needs something greater, in order to live, and the law pointed out the way.
Verse 8, "How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?"
LGT "How not rather the ministry of the Spirit shall be with glory."
Paul is introducing the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, which is all grace.
Verse 9, "But if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory."
LGT "For if the ministry of condemnation [be] glory, much rather abounds the ministry of righteousness in glory."
For if the ministry of condemnation: the law brings condemnation because man is unable to keep It. Be glory: the law was righteous, however, it did not make man righteous, it could only condemn. Much rather abounds the ministry of righteousness in glory: where the law condemned, Christ saves. The law was but a schoolmaster to bring all men to Christ. "For God had made Christ to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ" (2 Cor. 5:21). Christ went to the cross and gave his life for us, in order that we might be made fit for God's presence, which abounds in grace.
Verse 10, "For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth."
LGT "For even that which hath been made glorious, has not been made glorious in this respect, on account of the surpassing glory."
For even that which hath been made glorious: Moses was unable to see the glory, which shone in his face, but the children of Israel saw much glory. Has not been made glorious: the law brought about death, and condemnation. The temporary glory of the law shone in Moses' face, and it no longer shone. In this respect: the law no longer appears glorious. On account of the surpassing glory: the glory of the gospel of grace, brought about by the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for us, completely overshadows the glory that once shone in the face of Moses.
Verse 11, "For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."
LGT "For if that which is being cancelled [was] through glory, much rather that which remains [is] with glory."
For if that which is being cancelled was through glory: which shone on Moses' face. This glory is in the process of being cancelled through the preaching of the gospel of grace. Much rather that which remains is with glory: the glory of the law has been done away by the gospel of grace, which remains forever. "The law which passes away was through glory as a temporary medium; the Gospel which remains abides in glory" (Winer).
Verse 12, "Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
LGT "Having therefore such hope, we use much boldness:"
Having therefore such hope: the Jews could not see Christ because they still had the veil of unbelief covering their eyes. They rejected this hope of Christ and eternal life with deliberate hatred for Christ. We use much boldness: Paul says he and the other apostles deliver the gospel of grace with much simplicity and confidence that all may understand, even the little ones. "We speak not only with all confidence, but with all imaginable plainness: keeping back nothing; concealing nothing; and here we differ from Jewish doctors, and from the Gentile philosophers, who affect obscurity, and endeavor, by figures, metaphors, and allegories, to hide everything from the vulgar (the average person). But we wish that all may hear; and we speak so that all may understand" (Dr. Adam Clark-quoted by the editor of Calvin's commentary).
Verse 13, "And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished."
LGT "And not according as Moses put a veil on his face, for the sons of Israel should not look intently on the end of that being cancelled."
And not according as Moses: Paul says that the gospel of grace is to be given in full, and nothing is hidden. Put a veil on his face: this was not to hide the glory that shone forth, but a figure that this law was not the end in itself, but veiled until Christ would come and remove it forever. For the sons of Israel should not look intently: the children of Israel were not to look to the law as the end, but only a way to the end. On the end of that being cancelled: the law was a schoolmaster that brought them to Christ, Who is the end of the Law. The law could never save, but it showed the children of Israel their desperation in keeping the law, and God's grace offered His only begotten Son to free all from the law. The sacrificial system Moses instituted foreshadowed all that Christ would do for mankind, that is, making man fit for God's presence by placing on all believers the righteousness of Christ; Christ purchased us all out of the slave market of sin. That is, He redeemed us with His precious blood, and now we believers are all fit for God's presence in that we are perfect in Christ.
Verse 14, "But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which veil is done away in Christ."
LGT "But their thoughts were hardened. For until the present day the same veil at the reading of the old covenant remains, not uncovered, because in Christ is being annulled."
But their thoughts were hardened: Paul lays the blame of the Jews blindness completely upon themselves. For until the present day: right up to the time of Paul; and we might say the same thing, for the Jews today are as blind as they were then. The same veil at the reading of the old covenant remains: "There is a veil over their minds when the law is read, as there was over Moses' face. They cannot yet recognize the end of the Mosaic ministry" (Vincent). Not uncovered: the veil remains because the Jews refuse to take the veil off, for this would demand that they accept Christ as their Savior, and no self-respecting Jew is going to admit they need a Savior. Because in Christ is being annulled: Because the Jews refuse to believe in Christ, they deliberately leave the old covenant veil in place. The Jews that do accept Christ are given the Revelation to lift the veil from their minds.
Verse 15, "But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their hearts."
LGT "But unto this day, when Moses may be read, a veil lies upon their hearts:"
"A vivid and distressing picture, a fact that cause Paul agony of heart (Rom. 9:1-5). With willful blindness the rabbis set aside the Word of God by their tradition in the time of Jesus (Mark 7:8f.) (Robertson). Unless the Jews accept Christ as Savior, they will never see the true light, that is, they will not let the light of the glorious gospel shine upon them. McGee makes this great comment: "When they (the Jew) read the Law, they actually think (imagine) that they are able to keep it. But in reading the Old Testament we do not find the confidence that you would expect in the hearts and minds of God's people. Even David raised some questions. Job was in absolute bewilderment. Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and wept when he faced death. However, in this day of grace in which you and I live, even the weakest saint who trusts Jesus has absolute assurance of his perfect acceptance with God."
Verse 16, "Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away."
LGT "But when it shall have turned to [the] Lord, the veil is taken away."
The pronoun "it" refers to the heart of unbelieving Israel. Whenever Moses went before the Lord, he removed the veil from his face, because Moses was a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Jews must remove the veil of the old economy in order to be saved; until then, they are headed for hell.
Verse 17, "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
LGT "Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of [the] Lord is, [there is] freedom."
The Holy Spirit is the only One who can give this knowledge; if a person believes, it is because God's Holy Spirit has enlightened him or her. A person must be willing to allow the spirit to teach them, or they will never learn. The Jews have put their trust in the Law, and the Law condemns them; until the Jew takes the veil of the law from his face, he will never see the light of day. The Law kills, while grace gives life and freedom. Under grace we do not need a veil, but we have free access to God's throne at any time. We should come boldly before our dear heavenly Father.
Verse 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."
LGT "But we all with uncovered face reflecting the glory of [the] Lord as in a mirror, to the same image are being transformed from glory to glory, just as from [the] Lord [the] Spirit."
But we all: all Christians. With uncovered face: only believers have their faces uncovered, because they have removed them by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Reflecting the glory of the Lord as in a mirror: when we see ourselves as He sees us, we reflect the glory of the Lord. It is nothing we have done, but everything Christ has accomplished for us. When we behold the glory of the Lord, we see ourselves as He sees us, that is, washed in the blood of Christ. To the same image are being transformed from glory to glory: the divine design of the gospel of grace is that as we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit, we are daily being transformed into the image of God's Son; and when we finally arrive at our eternal home, we will know even as we are known. Just as from the Lord the Spirit: this does not in any way take away the personality of the Holy Spirit. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, are homousias, that is, they are of the same essence, and never work independently from the other. God the Father planned Salvation; God the Son actuated our Salvation on the cross, and God the Holy Spirit empowered the plan, that is, made it real to our hearts and minds. The entire Godhead was always working out the great plan of Salvation by means of Grace through faith in the Son, no more, no less.
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