2 Corinthians 3:6-8 - Questions and Answers

Note: Many of the questions on this section of the website were taken from John Reisinger’s web site: http:\www.soundofgrace.com

 

2 Corinthians 3:6-8 - He [God] has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-- not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?

 

Questions:

n      Who is speaking here as “ministers of the new covenant”? (Hint: see 2Cor. 1:1)

n       Paul and Timothy

n      When he says “not of the letter but of the Spirit”, what two things are being contrasted? (Hint: to see what “letter” refers look at verse 7)

n       The Old Covenant which is written in letters on stone and the New Covenant which is written on the heart of believers by the Spirit

n      How is it that the “letter” (Old Covenant) kills and the Spirit (New Covenant) gives life?

n       The Old Covenant “letter” makes us realize that we are spiritually dead (unable to keep the Law). The New Covenant “Spirit” makes us Spiritually alive through faith in Christ

 

2 Corinthians 3:9-12 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

 

Questions:

n    What is the “ministry that condemns men” referred to in this verse and in what way is it glorious? (Hint: look back at verse 7)

n      The Old Covenant (Law) which cannot be kept and therefore condemns all who try. It is glorious in that Moses face became radiant at the time He received the teachings of the Law

n    What is the “ministry that brings righteousness”?

n      The New Covenant where the spirit saves the believing sinner and brings about obedience to Christ through a changed heart

 

2 Corinthians 3:13-16 - We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

 

Questions:

n      Why did Moses put a veil over his face?

n       To keep the Israelites from seeing that the radiance on Moses face was fading.

n      How is it that a “veil covered their hearts” when Moses was read in that day? Who is this referring to?

n       The Jews who are still looking to the Old Covenant Law for salvation are unable to see that the glory of the Old Covenant is faded – it cannot save them and yet they keep hoping that it will!

n      How is it that whenever anyone turns to the Lord the veil is taken away?

n       Once someone turns to Christ by the power of the Spirit given in the New Covenant, they are able to recognize that the Old Covenant Law cannot provide salvation and they see that its glory has faded.