Vv 1-6: Paul's authority is endorsed by the effect of his
teaching.
2Co 3:5
No power of ourselves to: (1) think (2Co 3:5), (2) speak (Num
22:38), or (3) do (Joh 15:5).
2Co 3:6
THE LETTER KILLS: A vigorous, figurative way of saying,
'The law of Moses results in death for those who fail to keep it.'
2Co 3:7
Vv 7-18: A refutation of the Judaizers. Paul contrasts the old
covenant with the new (vv 9-11): that which brings death, and that which brings
life. That which condemns, and that which saves. The glory that fades and the
glory that remains.
FADING THOUGH IT WAS: The physical glory (of Moses and
Law) contrasted with the moral glory (of Christ).
2Co 3:9
IF THE MINISTRY THAT CONDEMNS MEN IS GLORIOUS, HOW MUCH
MORE GLORIOUS IS THE MINISTRY THAT BRINGS RIGHTEOUSNESS!: True Christian
excellence is as unconscious of its beauty as Moses was; whenever it becomes
self-conscious it loses its charm. Beware of the man who talks about his graces.
There is such a thing as being proud of humility and making it profitable to
one's self interests. The man who boasts of a "shining face" (from being in the
"presence" of Christ) is a counterfeit and a cheat. The possessor of the genuine
article never talks about it; never thinks about it; and would be almost
overwhelmed to hear of any such thing being ascribed to him. The charm of a
little child is its utter unconsciousness of self, and that is the charm in true
God-likeness. It is an unaware humility.
2Co 3:10
Cp Joh 1:17.
2Co 3:12
WE ARE VERY BOLD: Moses was not "bold", or "plain of
speech" (KJV): he hid the departing glory from Jews' eyes (SMk 126). Ct 2Co
4:4-6.
2Co 3:16
BUT WHENEVER ANYONE TURNS TO THE LORD, THE VEIL IS TAKEN
AWAY: Cit Exo 34:34: "But whenever he [Moses] entered the LORD'S presence to
speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out."
2Co 3:17
THE LORD: This seems to refer to Yahweh (as in v 16,
which is citing Exo 34:34).
THE SPIRIT: Ref word of God (2Co 2:17), ministry that
brings righteousness (2Co 3:9), the gospel (2Co 4:4).
FREEDOM: The Holy Spirit did not automatically change
men or ecclesias (1Co 1:10,11; 3:1-4; 5:1; 6:1; 11:19). "Freedom" here = freedom
of fear from seeing God's reflected glory in Moses (Exo 34:30; cp Joh 8:32; Rom
8:15).
2Co 3:18
UNVEILED: In ct with vv 13,14.
ARE BEING TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS: In speaking
about a "change" that should take place in us, Paul is showing that because we
know the things he speaks of -- ie, the wonders of the gospel -- we should
change our lives. This is the argument of Rom 12:1-2: a "living sacrifice" is
the logical consequence of believing the doctrines of Christ laid out in Rom
1-11.
TRANSFORMED: Sw in Transfiguration: Mat 17:2; cp Rom
12:2.
EVER-INCREASING GLORY: Lit, "from glory to glory"
(KJV): from the fading glory of Moses to the eternal glory of Christ (2Co
4:6).