Glad-U-See

Paul’s message, that Yeshua was the Messiah sent from YHVH to regather the dispersed tribes of Israel and restore both houses of Israel and Judah in the Land of Israel (Isa 11:10-16; Eze 37:15-28) was an izmail (a metal knife used to perform circumcision; sharp on both edges, see Jsh 5:2). One edge of the izmail would cut the covenant and allow the lost Israelites to reenter the Commonwealth of Israel (Eph 2:12-13). The other edge would disqualify (Deu 23:1) Israel's enemies.

2Cor 2:14-16 Now thanks be unto YHVH, who always causes us to triumph in the Messiah of Israel, and makes manifest the odor of His knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto YHVH a sweet odor of the Messiah of Israel, in them that are saved (descendants of Jacob, Rom 9:21), and in them that perish (descendants of Esau, Rom 9:22). To the one we are the odor of death unto death (Isa 26:14, Jer 51:57; Mal 1:3-4; 1The 4:13) and to the other the odor of life unto life (Mal 4:1-3). And who is sufficient for these things?

Financial incentive does not make Paul sufficient for these things.

2Cor 2:17 For we are not as many, who peddle the Word of YHVH, but as of sincerity, but as of YHVH, in the sight of YHVH speak we in the Messiah of Israel.

Commendation does not make Paul sufficient.

2Cor 3:1-3 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, letters of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our letter of commendation written in our hearts, known and read of all men; forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the letter from the Messiah of Israel served by us, written not with ink, but with the spirit (authenticity) of the living Elohim; not on a molding board (used to knead dough) made of stone, but on a molding board made of flesh, on hearts (Pro 7:1-3).

Paul was made sufficient by YHVH.

2Cor 3:6 YHVH also hath made us able servants of a new covenant ("new" is the Greek word kainos, and means unfamiliar. It does not mean "new in age", which is the word neos); not of letter (not rote and unthinking), but of spirit (understanding the true intent); because the letter kills our understanding of the Torah, but the spirit restores life to the reading of the Torah (juxtaposing incomprehension and discernment).

2Cor 3:7a Moreover if the agency of death chiseled in letters on stones is visible ...

The engraved stones were boundary stones (no-tresspassing signs), like the one pictured above, that were piled up as a marker, called a galeed in Hebrew. The word "galeed" means a mound of witness (Pro 22:28 NASB; Gen 31:44-48; Jsh 4:1-9). Galeed is a combination of two words: gal is a heap of stones and ed means to record or to give warning.

2Cor 3:7b-8 … (but ignored, as the Children of Israel did, who were still embarrassed for their betrayal in worshipping the golden calf; refused to steadfastly behold the unmasked face of Moses, because his countenance radiated recrimination), how shall not the agency of the spirit (paying attention to the no-tresspassing sign) be more glorious?

This is the basis of chapter three of Second Corinthians: Moses put a mask on his face to approach his audience without causing them embarrassment about the golden calf affair (Exo 32), but he removed the mask to teach them Torah, face-to-face: “And when Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face”. (Exo 34:33, ASV, RV, JPS).

2Cor 3:9-11 For if this agent of condemnation (either the warning marker or the face of Moses) be in plain sight, much more does the agency of righteousness exceed in clarity (for even that warning of condemnation, which was made glorious had no glory when compared to the glory that excels). For example, if that which ceased was too bright (the radiant countenance of Moses behind his mask), much more that which remains is more dazzling (the teaching of Moses, after removing his mask).

The theme of the third chapter of Second Corinthians is the clarity, or glory of Paul's message, to those who would hear it.

2Cor 3:12-13 To sum up then, we have an expectation, that we will use great plainness of speech (unambiguousness); and not obscured, as the face of Moses behind a mask, in that the Children of Israel would not look until the end of his radiance, even as it was fading away (thus missing out on his teaching).

2Cor 3:14-16 But their minds were closed. Even until this day remains the same mask, untaken away, on reading the old covenant ("old" is the Greek word palaios, and indicates that the reading of the Torah had become rote. In our text, new & old and letter & spirit are descriptors of the hearts' of the covenantors, not the covenant); which mask is put away by the Messiah of Israel (as Moses did when he removed his mask and taught the Torah). But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the mask is upon their heart. Nevertheless when their heart shall turn to YHVH, the mask shall be put away.