Post by Laurentius on Oct 28, 2005 12:48:35 GMT -5
"1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts"
2 Corinthians 3:1-3
[...]
"Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God"
2 Corinthians 4:2
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As some preachers wanted recommendation letters to and from the church of Corinth (2 Cor 3:1) . Paul tell us that those guys "peddle the word of God for profit." and that he and Timothy (2 Cor 1:1) have no need of such letters. Those letters were the believers themselves, letters given by Christ and written by the Spirit in their hearts.
Perhaps the preachers they refer to were those who still insisted with the observance of the jewish law for believers. "the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life"* (2 Cor 3:6b) constrast the consequences of trusting in the law and in the Spirit. Even clearer is when Paul says that "even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts." (2 Cor 3:15) A veil that is taken away when we turn to Christ.
To finish we are exhorted to live out the truth : We renounce to the shameful ways, not twisting Scripture neither using deception but "setting forth the truth". Not only by speaking the Word of God (which indeed is true) but by showing its power to change us day by day living not by human wisdom but by God's grace in holiness and sincerity before the Church and the world (2 Cor 1:12)
No better letter of recommendation before men could ever be bestowed to us!!
* Probably you are familiar with such verse. Someone quoted it to me a couple of years ago, perhaps to quench my enthusiasm in reading the Word. First, I realized he quoted out of context. This verse should not be used to discourage personal bible study no matter how eager you are in doing so. Second, the Spirit of God teaches us God's word and if we are to walk by the Spirit, we'd better learn what God has to say about. Third, without application to one's life, personal reading is rendered useless and we resist the Spirit not letting Him work in our lives. Conclusion: It is always good to read the Word so that we walk by the Spirit abounding in fruit for the glory of God
2 Corinthians 3:1-3
[...]
"Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God"
2 Corinthians 4:2
---
As some preachers wanted recommendation letters to and from the church of Corinth (2 Cor 3:1) . Paul tell us that those guys "peddle the word of God for profit." and that he and Timothy (2 Cor 1:1) have no need of such letters. Those letters were the believers themselves, letters given by Christ and written by the Spirit in their hearts.
Perhaps the preachers they refer to were those who still insisted with the observance of the jewish law for believers. "the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life"* (2 Cor 3:6b) constrast the consequences of trusting in the law and in the Spirit. Even clearer is when Paul says that "even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts." (2 Cor 3:15) A veil that is taken away when we turn to Christ.
To finish we are exhorted to live out the truth : We renounce to the shameful ways, not twisting Scripture neither using deception but "setting forth the truth". Not only by speaking the Word of God (which indeed is true) but by showing its power to change us day by day living not by human wisdom but by God's grace in holiness and sincerity before the Church and the world (2 Cor 1:12)
No better letter of recommendation before men could ever be bestowed to us!!
* Probably you are familiar with such verse. Someone quoted it to me a couple of years ago, perhaps to quench my enthusiasm in reading the Word. First, I realized he quoted out of context. This verse should not be used to discourage personal bible study no matter how eager you are in doing so. Second, the Spirit of God teaches us God's word and if we are to walk by the Spirit, we'd better learn what God has to say about. Third, without application to one's life, personal reading is rendered useless and we resist the Spirit not letting Him work in our lives. Conclusion: It is always good to read the Word so that we walk by the Spirit abounding in fruit for the glory of God