2 Corinthians 3:1-3 (WEL) Are we starting to speak well of ourselves, or do we need, as some others do, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You are our letter written in our hearts, known and read by all people. 3 You are clearly seen to be Christ’s letter delivered by us, not written with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, the heart.
Chapter summary:
Box:
“The theme of Paul’s sincerity continues to be contrasted with the conduct of some that corrupted the word of God. God had blessed Paul’s labors because of his faithful service to the Master. Paul was not just bragging on himself to gain the favor of men. Possibly the false teachers had been introduced with letters from elsewhere. Paul had no need of letters of recommendation to them because they were his epistles known and read of all men.
“The Corinthians themselves were the best evidence of Paul’s zeal and faithfulness to the word of truth. Paul’s successful work had nothing to do with his own strength or skill. His work was blessed because of what God had done through him. (2Co 3:6) Paul used this occasion to show how the New Testament Gospel excelled the laws and institutions of Moses. The Law of Moses was a ministration of death that was done away. The gospel is a glorious ministration of righteousness that remains.
“Sadly the Jews did not profit as they should have from the Law of Moses. They were blinded by it. Just as Moses put a veil over his face, the Jews had a veil over their heart when the Law was read. They did not understand what God was saying to them through Scripture. Through the New Testament, Christians have been permitted to behold the glory of the Lord and to be changed into that same image.
V1 Are we starting to speak well of ourselves, or do we need, as some others do, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
You Corinthians know us, our character, our fellowship, our doctrine, our Gospel, our lifestyle, and the authenticating signs through the help of the Holy Spirit.
Other teachers need a recommendation letter or introduction.
Why do we have to prove God’s approval of us?
V2 You are our letter written in our hearts, known and read by all people.
Look at yourselves. Look at what you were and had. Look at what you are now. The Gospel truths are in your heart, soul. All people can see the change. All people can hear your message.
V3 You are clearly seen to be Christ’s letter delivered by us, not written with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, the heart.
The change from worldly thinking and desires to godly thinking and desires has an impact on the world around us to make them curious, wondering why things are different for those Christians. The Christians are a letter, a message, to society.
We read a letter or book and can learn that information. People can “read” us to learn information, too. “Those people call themselves Christians, so what are they like, live, and believe?” Much information can be learned by observation.
What they “read” of the Christian’s life is not a book or letter written by any human but instead a letter written by the Holy Spirit. This letter is the new heart/soul/inner person; it is the real us. GPT-4o mini: “Read means to interpret or understand someone’s character or experiences through their actions and lifestyle choices. Essentially, it suggests that a person’s way of living provides insight into their values, beliefs, and overall life story.”
We learn:
• If we are truly Christians, the way we think, talk, and act will be changed.
• Our Christian life is a witness of the Holy Spirit’s work.
Questions:
• Are you thinking, talking, and living as a Christian?
• How do others think of you?