2 Corinthians Week 5

Day 1 

READ 

2 Corinthians 3:12-15 

12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. 

Paul wrote about how the minds of the Israelites were hardened and the Old Covenant did not impress them. The only way the veil covering their minds could be removed was by believing in Jesus, the Messiah. Even as Paul wrote this in the middle of the first century A.D. he said their hearts were still covered with that veil. 

REFLECT 

How is it when you read the Scriptures? Did you find it made a difference after you trusted Jesus as your Savior? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a fellow believer who has sought to witness and found minds to be hardened to the truth of the Scriptures. Be reminded that all you can do is witness; it’s up to the working of the Holy Spirit to convict and convert the person (see John 3:5-8).  

Day 2 

READ 

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 

16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 

Paul told how the veil is taken away. It only occurs when a person “turns to the Lord.” Notice that everyone without the veil “can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.” The spiritual goal that God has for believers is to make them more like Jesus. They reflect His glory and “are changed into his glorious image.”  

REFLECT 

Do you find your attitudes are more like Jesus as you grow older in the Christian faith? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a believer about the familiar passage, Romans 8:28. Then discuss God’s purpose for a believer’s life by reading verse 29. The characteristics of Jesus’ life are produced by the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life (see Galatians 5:22-23).  

Day 3 

READ 

2 Corinthians 4:1-2 

1 Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. 2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. 

Knowing God’s purpose in the lives of believers caused Paul to carry on his ministry in a way honoring God. Paul and his team had no desire to “distort the word of God.” Those who knew of their ministry and would be honest would admit this was true of them. No honest person would say Paul and his team used “shameful deeds and underhanded methods.”  

REFLECT 

Think of how the concept of God influences one’s ministry. In what way has your view of God influenced your ministry? 

RESPOND 

Paul was concerned about his integrity no matter where he ministered. Read Acts 20:18-21 to see what he said to the elders from Ephesus. See also Ephesians 4:14-16 for what he wrote to the believers in Ephesus. He spoke the truth in love. 

Day 4 

READ 

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 

3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 

Paul told why peoples’ minds are blinded. The message of the gospel is hidden from those “who are perishing.” Paul described Satan as “the god of this world,” and he is the one who has put a veil over the minds of unbelievers. The message of the gospel does not make sense to them. The glory of Christ is unable to be seen by them.  

REFLECT 

If you have received Christ as Savior, thank the Spirit of God for removing the veil that previously blinded you.  

RESPOND 

Read Colossians 1:26-27 to see what the “glory of Christ” is. This should assure you of being able to share in His glory.  

Day 5 

READ 

2 Corinthians 4:5-7 

5 You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 

To be humble is to have a clear understanding of your limitations. Paul did not wish to focus on himself because he was aware of his sinfulness and was thankful for the grace of God. He realized the main focus should be about “preaching Jesus Christ is Lord.” That He is “Lord” means He is God. As such, believers should recognize Him as master of their lives. Christ-followers receive their power from God, not from their own frail qualities. 

REFLECT 

Do you realize that your spiritual effectiveness comes from God and not from your own abilities? 

RESPOND 

Talk with another believer about where one gains spiritual strength. See what Paul wrote to the Corinthians earlier when he penned 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. His confidence was not in his own abilities but in his loving God who empowered him. See also Micah 6:8 about being humble.