The Veiled Heart of Unbelief 2Corinthians 4:1-6

7 But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? 2 Corinthians 3:7–8 (NASB95) Introduction ✦ Paul uses the veil that Moses wore as a figure for Jewish misconceptions ✦ He is able to write from the perspective of personal experience ✦ He points out the strength of the Law of the Spirit - forgiveness of sins

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1–2 (NASB95) The Unveiled Ministry ✦ “Ministry” in this context refers to the work given to the Apostles in presenting the Gospel to the world and in convicting the hearts of men ✦ It is this very ministry that is being questioned by his critics ✦ Paul’s defense is the openness of his ministry

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1–2 (NASB95) The Unveiled Ministry ✦ This open ministry in which Paul serves renounces all deceit or trickery and depends only on the plain message of the Gospel ✦ “manifestation” - “an outward evidencing of a latent principle, active exhibition” (Mounce) ✦ “commending” - “to place together...to teach by combining and comparing” (Strong’s) ✦ “conscience” - “a present idea, persisting notion, impression of reality” (Mounce)

2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1–2 (NASB95) The Veiled Heart Seeks to Alter the Gospel ✦ The veil which covered Moses’ face was an attempt to deny the truth presented in the “ministry of condemnation” ✦ They sought life in the law (Rom 7:10,13) ✦ They wanted the Law to be the spiritual reality when it was just the type given to point them to the reality (Gal 3:22-24)

2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1–2 (NASB95) The Veiled Heart Seeks to Alter the Gospel ✦ False doctrine is not limited to those teachings which radically alter the entirety of the Gospel message ✦ The Judaizer did not reject baptism, in his own mind he did not seek to cast off faith in Christ, but through his addition he “fell from grace” and perverted the entirety of the Gospel

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3–4 (NASB95) The Veiled Heart Clings to Behavior Contrary to the Gospel ✦ It is those being transformed into the image of the Lord who experience the glory of the Gospel ✦ Fleshly worldly desires serve as a veil blinding the minds of the unbelieving ✦ We must realize that we can reject Christ in our behavior as well as our doctrine

5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 2 Corinthians 4:5 (NASB95) The Veiled Heart Misplaces its Confidence ✦ Paul placed his confidence in the Lord and only in the Lord ✦ The false teacher places his confidence in his own schemes and deceit ✦ Only when we learn the truth, that we must place our boldness and confidence in Christ, can we know the glory that awaits us