2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2
Image: Stairway at the Cloisters,
Rick Morley.
- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV. Chapter 4.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries. Chapter 4.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons. Chapter 4.
- Historical References, Commentary and Comparative
Texts:
- 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."
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
- Commentary,
Exodus 34:29-35, David E. Fredrickson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
- "In 2 Corinthians 3:18 Paul pictures the church as a community of faces gazing at one another lost in a hall of mirrors in a dizzying transfiguration into the image of Jesus, the Christ, the one who is to come, always deferred."
- The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2016.
- Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2016.
- Commentary,
Exodus 34:29-35, Carla Works, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
- "The epistle reading for today reminds us that the revelation of Jesus’ glory is so spectacular that it initiates the transfiguration of all who are in Christ. "
- Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
-
"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.
- "The Glory of the New Covenant," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
-
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."
- "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."
- Commentary,
Exodus 34:29-35, David E. Fredrickson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Duff, Paul B.,
"Glory in the Ministry of Death: Gentile Condemnation and Letters of
Recommendation in 2 Cor. 3:6-18," Novum Testamentum, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Grech, Prosper, OSA,
"2 Corinthians 3:17 and the Pauline Doctrine of Conversion to the Holy
Spirit," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1955.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Greenwood, David,
"The Lord Is the Spirit: Some Considerations of 2 Corinthians 3:17,"
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1972.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Grdelidze, Tamara,
"'God, in Your Grace, Transform the World,' Bible Study on 2 Corinthians
3:18," Ecumenical Review, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - 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.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hafemann, Scott,
"Paul's Use of the Old Testament in 2 Corinthians," Interpretation,
1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hamerton-Kelly, Robert G., "A Girardian
Interpretation of Paul: Rivalry, Mimesis and Victimage in the Corinthian
Correspondence," Semeia, 1985.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Krause, Deborah,
"Keeping It Real: The Image of God in the New Testament,"
Interpretation, 2005.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Pederson, Sigfred,
"Paul's Understanding of the Biblical Law," Novum Testamentum,
2002.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Schlarlemann, Martin H., "Of Surpassing Splendor: An
Exegetical Study of 2 Corinthians 3:4-18," Concordia Journal,
1978.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - 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.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Uddin, Mohan, "Paul, the Devil and 'Unbelief' in
Israel (with Particular Reference to 2 Corinthians 3-4 and Romans
9-11)," Tyndale Bulletin, 1999.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Unnik, Willem Cornelis van, "With Unveiled Face: An
Exegesis of 2 Corinthians 3:12-18," Novum Testamentum, 1963.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Duff, Paul B.,
"Glory in the Ministry of Death: Gentile Condemnation and Letters of
Recommendation in 2 Cor. 3:6-18," Novum Testamentum, 2004.
- Sermons:
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Transfiguration, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2013.
- Drama:
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Hymns and Music:
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: 2 Corinthians 3:18. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of 2 Corinthians
