Apostle Paul's Ambiguity

It is often difficult, when reading through the words of the apostle Paul, to distinguish his precise line of reasoning. This is due to a variety of factors, ranging from mere density of language to a lack of proper contextual understanding. This ambiguity is amplified even further, especially in the less known epistles such as the Corinthians and Thessalonians, through the failure of many church bodies and Christian individuals to study the book as a whole. Too often Pastor’s will utilize Paul’s words without a proper understanding of how he using them. This creates a cycle of misunderstanding, confusion, and poor hermeneutics in the church. In an effort to counter this uncertainty, this paper will attempt to outline the context of in

To conclude his discussion of the Christian ministry, Paul writes in verse 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.” (ESV) Throughout this passage, Paul has compared himself, and by extension his ministry, with Moses and his ministry. While the ministry of Moses is covered and veiled, the Christian ministry is free and bold. But what does this freedom and boldness do for the believer? As is the case with this entire section of 2 Corinthians 3, Paul is not abundantly clear in his reasoning. The answer can, however, be found in analyzing the passage that Paul is using to parallel his own words. In Exodus 34, it is the glory of the Lord that is being veiled, and thus that same glory that the Israelites are unable to fully understand. So now, with the veil finally removed, the freedom of the Christian ministry is the freedom to be transformed into the image and glory of Christ and the boldness to pursue that transformation. As Paul writes in his letter to the Romans in chapter 8, verse 29, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”