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2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2
 | Reading the Text:
|
| Historical References, Commentary and Comparative
Texts:
 | Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of
Spirit:
|
| Commandment XII.4,
Shepherd of Hermas. (c.145) |
| IV.16, Stromata,
Clement of Alexandria (c 200) |
| V.11, Against
Marcion, Tertullian
(c. 212) |
| Chapter
XV, On Modesty, Tertullian
(c. 217) |
| I.I.2, First
Principles (De Principiis), Origen.
(c.225) |
| X.18, Commentary
on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St.
Gregory Nazianzen], Origen.
(c.230) |
| V.LX, VI.LXX, Against
Celsus, Origen.
(c.246) |
| XI.14, XII.11, Commentary
on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247) |
| VII.32,
Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius of Caesarea, (c. 320). |
| From the Geneva Notes.
Chapter 4.
 | "Continuing in the allegory of
the covering, he compares the Gospel to a glass, which although it
is most bright and sparkling, yet it does not dazzle their eyes who
look in it, as the Law does, but instead transforms them with its
beams, so that they also are partakers of the glory and shining of
it, to enlighten others: as Christ said unto his own, "You are
the light of the world", whereas he himself alone is the light.
We are also commanded in another place to shine as candles before
the world, because we are partakers of God's Spirit. But Paul speaks
here properly of the ministers of the Gospel, as it appears both by
that which goes before, and that which comes after, and in that he
sets before them his own example and that of his fellows." |
|
| From
Matthew Henry's
Commentary.
Chapter 4.
| "We should not rest contented
without knowing the transforming power of the gospel, by the working
of the Spirit, bringing us to seek to be like the temper and
tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, and into union with Him. We behold Christ, as in the glass
of his word; and as the reflection from a mirror causes the face to
shine, the faces of Christians shine also." |
|
| From Wesley's
Notes. Chapter 4.
| "To triumph, implies not only
victory, but an open manifestation of it. And as in triumphal
processions, especially in the east, incense and perfumes were
burned near the conqueror, the apostle beautifully alludes to this
circumstance in the following verse: as likewise to the different
effects which strong perfumes have upon different persons; some of
whom they revive, while they throw others into the most violent
disorders." |
|
| On the Holy Spirit
(2 Cor 3:17). Sermon by John Wesley. |
| From the Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871). Chapter 4.
| "The glory of Moses' face is
antitypically Christ s glory shining behind the veil of legal
ordinances. The veil which has been taken off to the believer is
left on to the unbelieving Jew, so that he should not see (Isa 6:10;
Ac 28:26, 27). He stops short at the letter of the law, not seeing
the end of it. The evangelical glory of the law, like the shining of
Moses' face, cannot be borne by a carnal people, and therefore
remains veiled to them until the Spirit comes to take away the veil
(2Co 3:14-17) [CAMERON]." |
|
| From The People's
New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891. Chapter 4.
| "To look to Jesus has a
transforming power. If we gaze upon him, we will become like him. As
Moses unveiled before the Lord shone with the glory of the Lord, so
we shall reflect the glory of Christ, and show forth his
likeness." |
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| Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
|
"First
Thoughts on Passages on Year C Epistle Passages in the Lectionary:
Transfiguration," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in
Australia.
| "Paul pits his transforming gospel
against the one espoused by those who appeal to the biblical authority of
laws and commandments and who see Jesus as primarily promoting a new
version of Moses." |
|
|
Comments
(commentary) and
Clippings
(technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican
Diocese of Montreal. |
|
Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion,
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, Wesley White. "A place of
conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
| "We like to think a relationship with
G*D will bring clarity about many things - no more dim mirrors or veiled
countenances. This may simply be our conceit - that we (I) can live
without veils." |
|
|
"Glory
and the Greater Glory," analysis and reflections by Cathy
Lessmann at Sabbatheology by The Crossings Community of St
Louis.
| "...when we see God's glory in
Jesus, we see a merciful God. We feel the glow of his pleasure, and
reflect it back." |
|
| "The
More Excellent Ministry," Geerhaudus Vos, in Kerux: The
Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed).
| "There is need for her
ministers of placing themselves ever afresh in the light of the
great apostolic consciousness revealed in our text. They should
learn once more to bear their message out of the fulness of
conviction that it is an unchangeable message, reliable as the
veracity of God himself." |
|
| "Made
in the Image of God," Bill Green, in Kerux: The Online
Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed).
| "When Jesus enters our heart,
he brings the renewing image of God. We are reclothed with what Adam
and Eve lost. We are reclothed in righteousness and now we
understand and love the truth. We can once again judge rightly
between the good and the bad when before we were slaves of
sin." |
|
|
"The Glory
of the New Covenant," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible
Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed
textual notes. |
| "Ecclesia,
Synagoga and the Fallen Crown: Anti-Jewish Propaganda in the Middle Ages." From
Jewish Heritage Online Magazine's Topic of the Month: Crown. |
|
| Articles & Background:
|
| Articles in
ATLAS Journals. (Direct link when you are
subscribed and logged in to
ATLASerials online collection of Religion and Theology Journals.):
| Duff, Paul B.,
"Glory in the Ministry of Death: Gentile Condemnation and Letters of
Recommendation in 2 Cor. 3:6-18," Novum Testamentum, 2004. |
| Grech, Prosper, OSA,
"2 Corinthians 3:17 and the Pauline Doctrine of Conversion to the Holy
Spirit," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1955. |
| Greenwood, David,
"The Lord Is the Spirit: Some Considerations of 2 Corinthians 3:17,"
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1972. |
| Grdelidze, Tamara,
"'God, in Your Grace, Transform the World,' Bible Study on 2 Corinthians
3:18," Ecumenical Review, 2004. |
| Grindheim, Sigurd,
"The Law Kills but the Gospel Gives Life: The Letter-Spirit Dualism in 2
Corinthians 3:5-18," Journal for the Study of the New Testament,
2001. |
| Hafemann, Scott,
"Paul's Use of the Old Testament in 2 Corinthians," Interpretation,
1998. |
| Krause, Deborah,
"Keeping It Real: The Image of God in the New Testament,"
Interpretation, 2005. |
| Pederson, Sigfred,
"Paul's Understanding of the Biblical Law," Novum Testamentum,
2002. |
| Thorsell, Paul R.,
"The Spirit in the Present Age: Preliminary Fulfillment of the Predicted New
Covenant according to Paul," Journal of the Evangelical Theological
Society, 1998. |
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