Ministers of the New Covenant | Pastor Raph | Jun 1, 2025

Ministers of the New Covenant

Initially, Saul of Tarsus was a devout and zealous member of the Jewish religious elite, fiercely opposing the burgeoning Jesus movement. He actively persecuted Jesus's followers, arresting them in an effort to, from his perspective, protect Israel and God's honor. His commitment led him to Damascus to apprehend more believers, but on this journey, he had a sudden, direct encounter with the risen Jesus. This transformed him; Jesus questioned his persecution and commissioned Saul to represent Him (Acts 9). Stunned, Saul's mission was completely reversed. He began proclaiming the good news about Jesus in Damascus. On his missionary journeys, Paul traveled to major cities like Corinth.

In Corinth, a cosmopolitan port city, Paul stayed for about a year and a half (Acts 18). He initially preached in the synagogue, and when he faced significant opposition, he turned his focus to the Gentiles. He worked as a tentmaker alongside Aquila and Priscilla, supporting himself while teaching the Gospel. His ministry was fruitful, leading to the conversion of many, including Crispus, the synagogue leader. 

A significant and diverse church was established in Corinth. In that context, Paul fiercely decided to dedicate himself exclusively to sharing the gospel with the Gentiles.

That is important because sometimes it is hard to understand that the Lord leads us in ways that exclude some people. But that it was the case for Paul a few times. His decision made some to follow and some to be out. 

As a pastor, one of the most challenging aspects of ministry. We love all brothers and sisters. But for the sake of the church, some decisions would make some give up walking with us, which is always a great pain.

My comfort, is the words that the Lord said then, and is so real for me right now:

Acts 18:9-10 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

God and our fruits recommend us

In our Bibles, chapter 2, ends like this:

2 Corinthians 2:17 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Paul voluntarily relinquishes the right to be supported by the Corinthians' offering and financial aid to ensure the gospel progresses.

His refusal of payment is a choice to avoid hindering Christ's message.

There is a clear distinction between receiving support and commercializing a ministry. The former is a biblical practice of generosity, while the latter contradicts Jesus' teachings. Matthew 10:8 Jesus commands the disciples, “Freely you have received; freely give.”

In 1 Corinthians 9 he splains the standard way of ministry support.

1 Corinthians 9:14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

I it in this context that Paul continues in chapter 3.

2 Corinthians 3 1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

He is saying, “You Corinthians are our recommendation. Our ministry made you experience the reality of the New Covenant.”

Paul employs the imagery of Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah 31:33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The gospel of grace changes people’s lives. That transformation is a testimony, a message, a letter for all to read.

The law and the religious system of "dos and don'ts" have never changed people’s hearts. The law wasn’t given to modulate behavior and hide the rotten reality of the heart. The law, written on the tablets of stone (Ex. 24.12), was meant to reveal how bankrupt we were. That is why, by faith in Jesus, everyone can receive a new heart.

 Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

It is the fruit of really saving and transforming people through the power of the gospel that recommends us before God and others.

Let’s stop bragging about what we have done, performed, and achieved, and let’s be faithful ministers of the only message that can change our generation. The message of reconciliation in Christ. The message of Salvation in Jesus. The message of the new Covenant by the blood.

Why would anyone choose another message? Only the gospel gives men no space to boast about themselves. Any other message (sadly, in many places, that is what we hear) focuses on man, me and mine. Only the gospel fully centers Jesus and His work in us, through us, for God’s glory.

2 Cor. 3.4-6 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Ministers of the New Covenant

The first contrast Paul uses between the religious preaching and the message of the new covenant is that there is no neutrality. One is Holy Spirit-filled, seasoned, empowered and life-giving. The other is like a written code, a bond, a legal charging document demanding instead of liberating. The word in Greek is γρἀμμα [grámma].

God made each one of us ministers. Just think of your story. You are a public display of God’s transformative love.

Romans 7:6 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

1 Peter 2:9-10 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

The letter brings death because it proclaims God’s will without providing the strength to fulfill it. We all fall under God’s judgment as violators of the covenant. Only the Spirit imparts life, for it is the Spirit that transforms the heart, empowering God’s people to uphold His purposes.

But what is the new covenant? 

Sometimes the best way to understand the new is to count on the contrasting aspect of the old. And that is what Paul does.

7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

Moses’ ministry is referred to as a ministry of death since Israel and anyone else who disobeyed the law would face condemnation (2 Cor. 3:9). 

Paul does not deny the glory of the law.

Hearing ethical and moral lessons has its glory and charm. Where? In the deceiving understanding that our flesh, our self-reliance and effort can make a better version of ourselves.

But that message is obsolete, ineffective and powerless. Is there anyone who still has a landline in their home? Do people still use fax? Nobody has any use for coin-operated public telephones; the UK’s innumerable phone boxes have quickly become obsolete. So they are now free Wi-Fi hotspots for public use.

The New Covenant (Greek: kainē diathēkē, καινὴ διαθήκη; Hebrew: berit chadashah, בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה) in biblical terms is a divine promise of internal transformation, spiritual renewal, and unmediated relationship with God. In Hebrews 8:6–13 and 10:16–17 the author quotes Jeremiah 31 in Greek, showing Jesus as the mediator.

Hebrews 10:16-18 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” 17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

God internalizes His will by changing the heart and indwelling by the Spirit. Paul draws on Ezekiel and Jeremiah, distinguishing external law (γράμμα) vs. internalized Spirit (πνεῦμα).The New Covenant replaces external adherence with internal transformation, activated by faith, trust in Jesus Christ. His death ratifies it. It fulfills the old covenant by achieving its intended moral standards and credits us with His righteousness.

The veil was removed.

Confident of the greater glory of the New Covenant, Paul states the remaining part of the chapter. 

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

In 2 Corinthians 3, the terms "Moses," “The old covenant,” "The ministry of condemnation,” and "the ministry of death” all represent the same reality. It is what brings awareness of sin, but does not transform the heart. It leads to condemnation and death because it relies on human effort and external law.

Paul also explains that as long as someone reads the Old Testament apart from the Holy Spirit and without faith in Christ, they will only see it from a natural, limited perspective. This results in a hardened mind and a spiritual veil over the heart. 

Remember that when Peter, James and John witnessed Moses and Elijah, it was through the glory of Jesus' transfiguration. And you know what Jesus was talking about? 

Luke 9:30–31 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

He discussed the completed work of the cross. That's where our glory lies. It is finished. Jesus achieved everything. Now, it's time to embrace everything we can have in Christ.

But everything changes, Paul says, in verse 16: “When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” Only through a relationship with Christ can someone truly understand and experience what Scripture points to.

2 Corinthians 3:6 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 

The new covenant, which Paul calls the ministry of the Spirit, brings life and freedom. Unlike the old covenant, it transforms us from the inside out. This is the ministry of reconciliation, where only Christ is glorified. 

We are being transformed as we fix our eyes on Him—seeing His glory, love, and goodness.

How can someone see God's glory? One day, Moses to see God’s glory. 

Israel had just committed a grievous sin by worshiping the golden calf (Exodus 32). In response, God expressed His justice and declared that He would not go with the people to the Promised Land, lest He destroy them. Moses, intercedes on their behalf. He pleaded with God for more than mercy, not just for forgiveness, but His continued presence to go with them.

When they deserved the least, Moses stepped on the threshold of grace and asked for God’s blessing.

God answers 

Exodus 33:17 17 And the LORD said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.”

 God releases favor and grace in His sight. 

Moses makes a bold and intimate request– to see God’s glory. God shows Moses not His visible form, but His goodness, His name, and His merciful character.

Exodus 33:18–19 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”

Grace, undeserved, freely given.

His goodness, grace, and mercy reveal God's true glory. The more we look at Him, behold His glory, love, and goodness, the more we are being transformed from one measure to another, from one degree of glory to another.

Transformation is not our work; it is entirely the work of the Spirit. We are changed step by step, “from one degree of glory to another,” as we behold the Lord with unveiled faces.

Hebrews 12:2 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

This is the power of the new covenant: it brings true spiritual renewal, freedom, and the image of Christ being formed in us.