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Not that we consider ourselves as adequate from ourselves, but rather our adequacy1 originates from The God.
| 1 | Our adequacy: Or, qualifications, competency. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose 2 Corinthians 3:5 as the theme verse of the chapter – Qualified and Transformed Ministers. Paul begins what will be his defense [apology] throughout his second letter to the Corinthians. [1-3] The brothers and sisters in the congregation are his “letters of commendation.” He borrows language from Jeremiah 31:33 and thus gives us something of an inspired interpretation of Jeremiah.
All ministers and servants are those “qualified by God” and not other men. [4-6] “Servants of the New Covenant” are such, not from men, but the holy Pneuma. This ministry is “a superior glory” compared to the old Law Covenant with Israel. [7-11] The glory of the old covenant passes away as a New Covenant takes its place.
Christians in the New Covenant are not covering their faces so they cannot see as the Israelites did at the base of Mount Sinai. [12-18] In Paul’s day when Jews heard the reading of Moses and the Law they were blind and their “mental thinking was dulled.” When Jew or non-Jew turn to Jehovah this veil is removed, and then ministers of the New Covenant “reflect like mirrors Jehovah’s glory.” Thus, disciples of the Nazarene are being constantly transformed into God’s image.
May Heaven bless this transformation.
[14 June 2002]
