Glory in the Ministry of Death Gentile Condemnation and Letters Of Recommendation in 2 Cor. 3:6-18

Abstract

AbstractIn this article, I part company with the majority of scholars who read 2 Cor. 3:6-18 as a polemic against Judaism. I suggest, to the contrary, that Paul is unconcerned about Torah observant Judaism here. After all, he writes to a gentile church (1 Cor. 12:2) that was apparently untroubled by such issues. Instead, his remarks about the Law focus on the uncircumcised. The Mosaic covenant, Paul argues, brought condemnation and death to them. Read in this way, Paul's argument fits the larger context. For it ironically turns the tables on those who have interpreted his suffering negatively.