Summary: 1-3 he starts off the letter by saying he doesn’t need to write epistles of commendation or letter of commendation of their work, because the church IS the letter, living letters showing Christ’s work. Letters not written by pen, but with the spirit, not on stone but the heart. The Holy Spirit’s work is evident through them (their transformed lives- reflecting the character of God). He then highlights that their reliance and dependency isn’t on self but God, and that they are now ministers of a new covenant which isn’t of the letter but of the Spirit, cz the law kills-condemn but the Spirit gives life and restores. The law of Moses: rules to live by and try be good, but New Testament- Christ brings the helper/Spirit- God Himself enabling us to live by the standard which we ourselves could not meet 4-5. ministry of death/letter that kills- old covenant was so glorious that they couldn’t behold his face, how much more of the Ministry of the Spirit which brings life- enabling us to live by the standard 7-9. The old covenant: condemnation: and new: life, (John 3:16-17). 10-11: the old is passing away (symbolism point to Christ) - human work ending but God’s work is eternal, much more glorious.12 -13 speaks about how now in Christ we have a clear picture without a veil which was in place in Moses’ time. 14 -17 back then the veil was physical, but now it’s spiritual. The veil represents: separation of us from accessing the Father, needing a mediator/ us not having a clear picture of Him. The veil lifted happens after Jesus died, Him being our mediator, and showing who the Father is. Also linking back to chapter 2 where we diffuse a knowledge, aroma to people- to know Him is life eternal. When Philip said show us the Father, Jesus said I’ve been showing u- My character is like His. 17 where the Spirit of God is, there’s liberty (from tryna meet standards in our own strength). 18 so then our faces being unveiled, we now see who the Father really is through Christ, His character that was veiled becomes clear to us, the Bible says by beholding, we become changed, so as we behold the clear character of God, we change into His image/character, and from glory to glory, so we look more and more like Him, and this change is happening by the power of the Holy Spirit.