“2 Corinthians 3”

Monday, April 03, 2017

Speaking directly to one of the issues raised by the Judaizing teachers, Paul discusses the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old.

The Judaizing teachers wanted to go back to the Law of Moses (at least for some things) and tried to influence others to do the same. Galatians and Hebrews deal with this problem in their entirety.

It is probably an overstatement to say that the goal of these false teachers was a complete return to the Old Testament. They liked many parts of both laws and their real intention was to form a hybrid of the two covenants, combining parts of each testament to suit their own desires.

They liked what Christ offered; they were just unwilling to completely let go of what Moses (and other Old Testament writers) had delivered.

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul wants to reassure the Corinthians that the new law of Christ is “much more glorious” (verse 11) than the old Law of Moses.

He compares a practice of following the Law of Moses to looking through a veil. The Old Testament is called “a shadow of things to come” in Colossians 2:17. The reality (the real thing) that cast the shadow (or type) is the fulfillment of those images (or antitype) in the New Testament.

He says that the Old Law is the “letter” and the New Testament is “the spirit.” He also points out that “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

And he wanted them to know, without question, that “the veil (the Old Testament) is taken away in Christ” (verse 14). We are to learn and obey the New Testament today.

--Roger Hillis

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