The aim of this devotional study is to reflect on Paul’s comparison between the Old and the New Covenant.
Observations
2 Corinthians 3:6-18
6 [God] has made us sufficient to be 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 of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.
10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. 12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.
14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Observations and reflections
Context: Paul contrasts the New Covenant in Christ to the Old Covenant through Moses. It is helpful to consider announcements of the two covenants as in these two cases
Exodus 31:18 And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.
Jeremiah 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel… I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. I will be their God, they my people.
- Read through 1 Corinthians 3 and make a comparative table
| Old Covenant | New Covenant |
| Letter | ? |
| Kills | ? |
| Ministry of death | ? |
| On stone | ? |
| Temporal glory | ? |
| Ministry of condemnation | ? |
| No glory | ? |
| Shame of fading glory | ? |
- What does Paul mean with the phrases “ministry of condemnation” and “ministry of righteousness”?
- Jeremiah’s prophesy promised “the law within them… [written] on their hearts”? [Jeremiah 31:33] How?
- What was the basis of the Old Testament? (What was the conditions of the Old Covenant or Pledge?) How was it managed?
- What is the basis of the New Testament (or the New Covenant) according to this Scripture? How is it managed?
- What does Paul say about the glory between the Old and New covenants? What does that mean?
- What is the sign of the New Covenant at work? (v17)
Personal reflection
In which ways can you identify the following in your relationship with God:
A. “condemnation”: a feeling of being in trouble when you are found to behave wrong.
vs “righteousness”: a sense of being tested and approved of, being found acceptable
B. “law on stones”: measuring yourself based on what you are taught in Mosaic Law
vs “law on heart”: testing your motives based on the conviction of the Spirit
C. “ministry of death”: fear of failing God’s standards and threat of hell
vs “ministry of life”: anticipation for Jesus’ return to receive the fullness of our salvation – life with God forever
D. “veiled by Moses”: all you know about God is what he expects through the knowledge of the Law
vs “freedom in the Spirit”: a relational knowledge of God’s heart and will through the Holy Spirit.
Application and prayer
Considering your answers above, pray to God for a revelation of the New Covenant in Christ, assuring God’s satisfaction and our forgiveness and righteousness based on His shed blood.
This worship song will greatly enhance your time of prayer and reflection. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvLxZEU02uI]
Shofar Durbanville Bible Studies 