Reading for November 30th

 Read 2 Corinthians 3.4-18. In 3.4-18: Ministers of a new covenant. Christ inaugurates the new covenant promised by Jeremiah (31.31-34; 1 Cor 11.25). It replaces the Mosaic law, which was written on tablets of stone (v. 3; Ex 31.18). For Paul, letter symbolizes this written law code, which he experienced as death he found it suffocating (vv. 6, 7: Rom 7.9-10). By contrast, he experienced Christ's life giving Spirit in the new covenant (v. 6; 1.21-22; 1 Cor 15.45). This symbol was spirit ("pneuma"). Paul thinks of each covenant as ministry (diakonia") in which one serves. The old covenant of Moses (v. 14) is described negatively; death (v.7), condemnation (v. 9), fading glory (v. 10), temporary (vv. 7,11). the new covenant under Christ, by contrast, has positive features: Spirit (v. 8), justification (v. 9), greater glory (v. 10), permanent (v. 11), Paul's discussion draws on ex 34.29-35, where God gives Moses the law at Sinai. Glory refers to the brightness of Moses' face (Ex 34.30) and throughout the section could be translated "radiance." But Paul experienced Christ as more dazzling light, greater glory (v. 10; 4.4, 6). for Paul the veil that hid the face of Moses from the Israelites at Sinai now hides Moses' meaning when they read scripture (vv. 14-15). the death of Christ, however, removed the veil, thereby providing a clear view of God (v. 14). Turning to Christ in conversion (v. 16) gives one freedom-unobstructed access to God. Those who view God with unveiled faces gradually acquire God's glory as a gift of the Spirit (v. 18). Comments or Questions..