Letters From Christ
LETTERS FROM CHRIST
2 CORINTHIANS 3:1-3
The believers in Corinth are themselves the proof of Paul’s ministry.
It is a helpful clue to notice that Paul’s thought in 2:17 is not only enlarged later in the letter (in chapters 11–12, where again he denies any mercenary motives in his gospel work), but follows on directly in 4:2. Chapter 3 is therefore likened to a separate explanation between two links in Paul’s thought and has a theme all of its own. He explains with great verve the greatness of the gospel and its superiority to the Mosaic-Judaic order.
The introduction to the topic is found in this section. Paul, having stated the sincerity of his motives (2:17b), backtracks a little, because he finds this assertion something of a distasteful business (3:1). It is not easy for him continually to harp on the openness of his behavior and the purity of his motives, but the situation at Corinth required it (1:12). If any proof is needed of the truth of his apostleship (he is saying, 3:2-3) may it be found, not in letters of commendation such as his enemies were in the habit of using, but in the lives of those whom his preaching had influenced. Such a “letter” existed in the case of the Corinthians themselves. Their new life in Christ is written on “our hearts,” but is really evident for all to see.
Christ is the author of this life-transforming work of grace. As his minister, Paul has led converts to him, and the marks of genuineness are not characters written on parchment with ink, but the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), not letters chiseled out of stone, but engraved on the human heart.
This second thought is drawn from the contrast between the law of God written by him on stone tablets and delivered to Moses (Exodus 31:18), and the promise in Jeremiah 31:33 that God would, in the future, put his law in the inner being and write it on human hearts. The day of that fulfillment, Paul declares, has now arrived.
We may pause to ask, “Why was this promise given? Was not the law sufficient?” The answer lies in Jeremiah 31:32: “They broke my covenant” (see also Hebrews 8:9). The covenant commitment entered into by Israel at God’s will and initiative had proved a failure because of Israel’s defection (see Isaiah 1:2; Hosea 6:7-8; Jeremiah 3:20) and so there was the need for, and promise of, a new covenant.
Note 3:1: “letters of introduction” were given to traveling Christians to certify their good standing as they visited the churches and sought hospitality (Acts 18:27).
Thought “You are a letter from Christ” (3:3). What message do others read in your life?