The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.
2 Corinthians 3:2-3
Talking of letters of recommendation reminds Paul of other letters, normal letters and then living letters. We are letters, on display and read by everyone. You are the only “Bible” that some people will read. You are a letter not written in ink on tablets of stone or even paper. You are a letter with His Word written in your heart and all over your life by the Spirit of God. There for all to see. Paul then uses an interesting word for tablets of stone. He uses the Greek word πλαξ [plax] a plate or tablet. This word is a very interesting one. It was used in the ancient world to denote a phenomena in Ancient Near East for authenticating a message. In that world if a king wanted to send a message to another king he had the message written on a clay tablet. That clay tablet was then enclosed with a clay “envelope”. The same message was written on the outside of the clay envelope. When the recipient received the letter he read (or had read to him) the message written on the outside. To authenticate that the message was not tampered with or adulterated the outside envelope was broken revealing the same message within. If the message written inside matched the message written on the outside the message was authenticated. Now how significant is that! Isn’t that the point with us as living letters?
Notice also the link with the verses before these (Bible Gem 519). Did it trigger something in your mind related to yesterday and those trying to adulterate the wine (or the message)? Do you see how Paul’s mind is running on the same theme. The significance of this is huge. You are a living letter. God’s word is written on your heart. Paul has already told us that. But if what is written on the outside is not the same as what is written on the inside, the message is not authentic. How true that is of us. How well does your inner life match your outer life? How well do your inner thoughts match your outer words or actions? That’s a very telling question.
It doesn’t need anymore comment from me at this point. Take it away and suck it like a sweetie. Look careful in this section how Paul’s thought link up. Now it’s your turn to work it out.
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