2 CORINTHIANS 3:6 ABLE MINISTERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

[Doug]

2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

Paul was made an able minister of the new testament. Paul did not minister the old letter of the law, he ministered the spirit.

The new testament should be viewed as being distinct from the old and new covenants. A covenant is an agreement between two parties. A testament is a bequest made by only one party on behalf of an other or others. A testament is not in force until the death of the testator, the one who makes a will or legacy.

The new covenant was made only with the house of Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 31:31). The new covenant promised Israel and Judah that God will, by His Spirit, write His law in their hearts; by His Spirit, enable them to keep His law, and be a light to the Gentiles (Jeremiah 31:31-34 Ezekiel 36:24-28 Matthew 5:14 Isaiah 60:3). The new covenant will be fulfilled in the future.

The new testament is given to Israel as well. Jesus died and shed his blood to redeem Israel; for the redemption of their transgressions that were under the first testament (Hebrews 9:15-18 Matthew 26:28 Mark 14:24). The new testament was put into force upon his death (Hebrews 9:17), while the new covenant has yet to be fulfilled.

Paul is a minister of the spirit; a minister of the new testament, not the new covenant. Paul expounds the spiritual blessings, the spititual benefits, of the new testament, given to the body of Christ; the blessings and eternal salvation, which are bestowed, by the cross of Christ. The new testament blood of Christ, has also been applied to His body, the church (Romans 3:25 Romans 4:25 Romans 8:16 1 Corinthians 2:12 1 Corinthians 12:13 Philippians 3:3).

That Jesus would die for the sins of Israel was in prophecy (Mark 8:31 Mark 9:31 Isaiah 53 Psalm 16:10); that his death and shed blood would also be applied to Gentiles and the body of Christ was kept secret until revealed to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Ephesians 3:2-6).

Paul is also an able minister to the Jews. Paul details that God will keep His covenant with the Jews; God has not cast away Israel (Romans 11:2 Romans 11:27

 

[Michael]

2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

The new testament should be viewed as being distinct from the old and new covenants. A covenant is an agreement between two parties. A testament is a bequest made by only one party on behalf of an other or others. A testament is not in force until the death of the testator, the one who makes a will or legacy.

When we realize that "testament" and "covenant" are the same exact word in the Greek - διαθήκη diathḗkē - and are used interchangeably by Jesus, Himself, when speaking of the one (& only) "New Covenant", it really helps clear the confusion and strange doctrines of some preacher-men today.

And as well, setting aside modern definition of "inheritance", plus knowing that God never died, helps with understanding how we Gentiles enter into that One New Covenant made with Israel and Judah.

 

[Doug]

When we realize that "testament" and "covenant" are the same exact word in the Greek - διαθήκη diathḗkē - and are used interchangeably by Jesus, Himself, when speaking of the one (& only) "New Covenant", it really helps clear the confusion and strange doctrines of some preacher-men today.

And as well, setting aside modern definition of "inheritance", plus knowing that God never died, helps with understanding how we Gentiles enter into that One New Covenant made with Israel and Judah.

The body of Christ does not enter into any covenants they are for Israel (Romans 9:4).

 

[Michael]

The body of Christ does not enter into any covenants they are for Israel (Romans 9:4).

When we realize that "testament" and "covenant" are the same exact word in the Greek - διαθήκη diathḗkē - and are used interchangeably by Jesus, Himself, when speaking of the one (& only) "New Covenant", it really helps clear the confusion and strange doctrines of some preacher-men today.

And of course since us Gentiles who believe are "grafted into the one olive tree", we become of the "Israel of God" and join them to whom was given all the promises of God. Apart from the Covenant, and becoming part of the "Israel of God", us Gentiles will have no inheritance in the Kingdom.

 

[Doug]

When we realize that "testament" and "covenant" are the same exact word in the Greek - διαθήκη diathḗkē - and are used interchangeably by Jesus, Himself, when speaking of the one (& only) "New Covenant", it really helps clear the confusion and strange doctrines of some preacher-men today.

And of course since us Gentiles who believe are "grafted into the one olive tree", we become of the "Israel of God" and join them to whom was given all the promises of God. Apart from the Covenant, and becoming part of the "Israel of God", us Gentiles will have no inheritance in the Kingdom.

I do not think the body is the Israel of God, I think that refers to the believing remnant of Israel.
I also do not think that the Gentiles in the body are the ones Paul is speaking of as being grafted in. For one, the body is comprised of Jew and Gentile, so how could a Jew be called a wild olive tree?
I think Paul is speaking of the election of grace where the Jewish believing remnant has believed Jesus is Messiah, the Son of God and has believed the gospel of the kingdom and will enter the prophetic Davidic kingdom on earth.
Romans 9:4 Paul is speaking of Israelites
Romans 9:24 the called are both Jew and Gentile
Romans 9:25 Paul is speaking of Hosea 2:23 The people of God are the remnant
Romans 9:27 Paul states the remnant being saved
Romans 9:30 Gentiles believed by faith and became part of the remnant
Romans 10:19 Unbelieving Israel will be provoked by a foolish nation (the remnant of Jews and Gentiles who believed on Christ and the gospel of the kingdom)
Romans 10:21 Calling out to Israel
Romans 11:1 God has not cast away Israel
Romans 11:7 Israel blinded but the election by faith is righteous
Romans 11:13 Paul speaks to the Gentiles still present who believed and are the election of grace, the remnant
Romans 11:26 Israel will be saved

 

[MOJS4545]

the new covenant is what Jesus started with his death and resurrection and is what all believers are a part of today.

 

[Doug]

the new covenant is what Jesus started with his death and resurrection and is what all believers are a part of today.

Please cite the verse that says the body of Christ gets the new covenant

 

[NewCreation435]

Please cite the verse that says the body of Christ gets the new covenant

Matthew 26:28 comes to mind. The disciples represent the body of Christ which is the church at that time. Jesus instituted the new covenant there.

 

[Doug]

Matthew 26:28 comes to mind. The disciples represent the body of Christ which is the church at that time. Jesus instituted the new covenant there.

Matthew 26:28 does not say the body of Christ gets the new covenant. This verse is about the new testament in which Christ died for the sins of Israel under the old testament (Hebrews 9:15)

The church at that time was not the body of Christ. The church at that time was called the church of God (Galatians 1:13). The body of Christ was a mystery hid in God revealed to Paul (Ephesians 3:4-7)