2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6 Lesson 344

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6
Lesson 344

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Paul continues the defense of his ministry begun in lesson 343.

Look for the teaching on hope.

How to remove the veil (3:12-18).
Satan blinds us (4:4).

"We don't go around preaching about ourselves." (4:5)

Chapter four is an excellent passage to read when bereaved.

Jesus knocking on your door.

By the digital artist Shreeharsha Kulkarni.

Study Tip:

"In Bible reading, we need to watch ourselves very closely, lest our thoughts wander, and our reading become perfunctory and meaningless. We must determine resolutely to keep our minds on what we are reading, doing our best to form an intelligent conception of it, and being on the lookout for lessons for ourselves."

Henry Hampton Halley, minister and religious writer (1874-1965).

The Second Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians

The King James Bible

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6
Bold preaching

12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Margin notes:

"Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech" (3:12) - "Since we have such faith (in the New Covenant), we speak boldly and with conviction."

"That which is abolished." (3:13) - The Old Covenant (the Mosaic Law) was abolished and replaced by the New Covenant (Galatians 3:23).

"Their minds were blinded." (3:14) - The unbelieving "children of Israel" were blinded and could not accept the Gospel.

"The same vail." (3:14) - Not the actual veil Moses wore when he returned from meeting with God (Exodus 34:29-33), but a figurative one. Moses' veil kept the Israelites from being blinded by his radiant face, while the veil Paul refers to keeps people from seeing the light of Jesus. But mankind will not always be blinded (Isaiah 25:7). See also Romans 11:7-8.

"When it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away." (3:16) - "When a person turns to Jesus, the veil is taken away." As prophesied in Isaiah 25:7, seven hundred years before the birth of Christ.

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (3:17) - Before Jesus, Jews were slaves to the rites, rituals, ceremonies, and animal sacrifices required by the Old Covenant. Jesus offers freedom from the rules of the Mosaic Law. Believers now find salvation without having to live up to the impossible standards of the Mosaic Law. Additional note: Although Christians are free from the rites and ceremonies of the Mosaic Law, they are not free from its moral teachings.

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass." (3:18) - "But we, with the veil removed, look in the mirror (and see the reflection of God's glory)."

"Changed into the same image from glory to glory." (3:18) - As we grow in faith, we are filled with Christ and changed by the Spirit. By accepting Jesus, we are reborn, and Christ is slowly "formed" within us (Galatians 4:19), changing our goals, motives, attitudes, and futures forever.

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry." (4:1) - "Because we have this ministry."

"We faint not." (4:1) - "We don't lose courage."

"Nor handling the word of God deceitfully." (4:2) - Some ministers, more interested in their own fame and fortune, were distorting Christianity. Many of these false teachers worked in Corinth and created confusion.

"By manifestation of the truth." (4:2) - "By revealing the truth." See also 2 Corinthians 2:17 and 1 Thessalonians 2:5.

"If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost." (4:3) - The Gospel seems like foolishness to the lost (1 Corinthians 1:18).

"The god of this world." (4:4) - The god of this world is Satan (Ephesians 6:12). As mere mortals, we cannot resist Satan by ourselves. We need Jesus in our lives. Additional note: Jesus also referred to Satan as "the prince of this world" (John 12:31; 14:30).

"Christ, who is the image of God." (4:4) - See Hebrews 1:3.

"Servants for Jesus' sake." (4:5) - Paul and the apostles became servants so they could reach more people (1 Corinthians 9:19).

"God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness." (4:6) - As described in Genesis 1:3 and Psalm 36:9.

New Living Translation

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:6

12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.

13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.

14 But the people's minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.

15 Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.

16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit-makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

1 Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.

2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don't try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.

3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.

4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

5 You see, we don't go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake.

6 For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. What does the veil symbolize? (3:13)


Have questions?  I'll do my best to answer them.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. Moses and the veil represent the fading away of the Old Covenant (Mosaic Law). It was replaced with a new agreement between God and mankind. Unlike the old, this New Covenant offers salvation through grace. Those who lived under the Old Covenant had a veil over their eyes that hid the truth; that righteousness is found through Jesus Christ (3:14). When you accept Christ, the veil is removed (3:16).

Application thought for the day:

God gives us free will and allows us to make our own choices.
Many choose to harden themselves against Christ and follow "the god of this world," Satan.
To keep them from seeing the truth, Satan blinds them to the "light of the glorious gospel."
Those who stumble in the dark need a guide to help them find their way.
Are you being a guide?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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