2Cor013 The Subjective Glory of New Covenant Ministry

As a coin has two sides, so the glories of new covenant ministry are twofold. Paul expounded the objective glory of new covenant ministry by contrasting it with the ministry of Moses symbolized by his act of veiling; and, as he expounded the subjective glory of new covenant ministry he seized upon the veil of Moses yet again and showed that it was accompanied by a hardening of the minds of the sons of Israel. In verses 14 and 15 Paul set forth the necessity of the subjective aspect of new covenant ministry as he spoke of the veil cast over the reading of the Old Covenant and over the hearts of the Jews. By contrast, Paul set up the positive aspect of new covenant ministry as he testified that it provided the spiritual quickening which leads to a profitable reading of the word of God.