Study notes
Paul’s ministry was proven by the lives changed by the good news about Jesus, not by a letter of recommendation (compare Acts 18:27). Christ, who caused this change, used Paul to guide believers to him. The true signs are not in letters written with pen and ink on parchment, but in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) in human lives and engraved on human hearts.
Some people wanted proof that Paul was a real apostle. They wanted to see letters from other leaders that proved he could be trusted. But Paul’s authority as an apostle came from God and not from other leaders.
Paul described the Corinthian church as a letter that Jesus had written. He meant that their lives showed that Paul was teaching the truth about the Messiah. Paul didn’t claim to be important. He only claimed to follow Jesus’ example of being a leader who serves.
As God’s servant, Paul taught people the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant. The old covenant was the Mount Sinai covenant. The promises of that covenant pointed to Jesus.
The new covenant changes people’s hearts and makes them right with God for ever. Many people don’t understand this. It’s like their minds are covered with a veil that keeps them from understanding. But God’s Spirit makes people who turn to God understand it. He gives them eternal life and helps them become like Jesus.
The old written covenant refers to the law of Moses as interpreted by Jewish rabbis. It results in death for those who see it as a path to salvation. The law is good (Romans 7:12–14), but those who try to earn merit through it fail. Earning merit through the law leads to either wrongdoing or pride. In both cases, the law brings condemnation (2 Corinthians 3:9).
Paul compares his ministry to others by contrasting the old covenant of written laws (Exodus 31:18) with the new covenant written on human hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).
The old covenant had moments of glory, like when the face of Moses shone from talking with the Lord (Exodus 34:29–35).
The old way has been replaced by the new, eternal way (Hebrews 8:8–13).
The old covenant, symbolized by the veil worn by Moses, caused fear and did not clear spiritual blindness.
Believers who turn to the Lord find freedom in the Spirit. We gain something Moses never experienced as we become more like Christ (4:4; John 1:1–14; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:1–4) and reflect the Lord's glory. Experiencing divine glory in this life helps us become like Christ in the next life (Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2).
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources