notes

Main point summary

The Spirit of the Lord, who frees us in Christ also transforms us into the glorious likeness of Christ from one degree to another when we are beholding the glory of the Lord.

Discourse

editing

NT

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

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mine

Now the Lord 1 is the Spirit,

The Lord [who removed the veil of the law through His New Covenant] is the Spirit,

and where r the Spirit of the Lord is,

and wherever this Spirit of the Lord is present,

there is s freedom.

there is freedom [from the old covenant of slavery to the law].

locative

situationresponse

And we all, with unveiled face, t beholding u the glory of the Lord, 1

Because of that there is nothing that stops us from fully beholding [present continuous] the glory of the Lord (now)

v are being transformed into the same image

as a result, we are being continuously transformed in to the very image of the Lord, whose glory we are beholding

actionresult

w from one degree of glory to another.

which is from one degree to another (one step at a time).

actionmanner

For this comes from the Lord

By the way, this is the Lord's doing

who is the Spirit.

who is the Spirit of God.

ideaexplanation

ground

inference

discourse

Notes

CONTEXT: Paul, begins chapter 3 with an appeal for the Corinthian believers' commitment to his teachings and to himself. It is evident from 2 Cor 5:12; 10:12 and 12:11 that Corinthian believers were deceived by boastful self-appointed apostles and their degrading teachings against Paul. In defense, Paul gently reminds them of what he had taught them, pointing to the freedom in Christ in the Ministry of the New Covenant through His Spirit as apposed to the death from the Ministry of the Condemnation of the Old Covenant that was given through Moses. The glory that God has revealed in the Lord Jesus surpasses the glory of the law. So much so that it is to every one and it has a purpose. MAIN POINT: The Spirit of the Lord brings freedom not bondage and legalism to a believer. This freedom is a continuous work of transformation in a believer, perfecting in him/her the image of Christ from one degree of glory to another. TAKEAWAY: This passage is on the doctrine of sanctification. It is an overwhelming truth about the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life: He not only brings us freedom in Christ, but applies that freedom by working transformation in us, growing us into His likeness, one step at a time. This spiritual freedom is true and its evidence can be clearly seen in a believer's emotional and physical life too. He is the Author of my freedom and He will perfect it in me ( Phil 1:6 ). How can we grow? By “ beholding ” the glory of the LORD! How can we behold His glory? It comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (18d-e) So, what do I do now? - Believe and rejoice at this marvelous truth. - Ask and seek for God's Spirit to work this transformation in me.