Letters of the Spirit
For Meditation
In this section, Paul continues to defend himself against those in Corinth who claim that Paul is a fraud and lacks legitimacy. Where are all the signs of his expertise and skill, they ask? Where are his letters of recommendation? They essentially want to see his “resume,” the proof of his legitimacy as an apostle.
Paul refuses to take the bait, and continues to insist that for the Christian, power is manifested most in weakness. God uses weak people to communicate the truth and power of the gospel. He uses three metaphors in this section to illustrate this.
First, we are like incense bearers (and the incense itself) in the victory parade of the Messiah, spreading the fragrance of the gospel (2:14-17). Second, we are letters, written by Christ through the Spirit (3:1-3). Third, we are mirrors, reflecting the person of Jesus (3:17-18). The key in all of these is that "our competence comes from God” (3:5). This work is God's work in us. All we do is make ourselves available. Incense bearers just walk along. Letters just get written on. Mirrors just reflect. Our job is to stay close to Jesus, he does the work in and through us. Power is made known in our weakness.
2 Corinthians 2:14–3:4, 3:17-18
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 for,To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
3 1Are 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 everyone. 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. 4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.