This very long page presents my idea that Paul’s eucharist in 1 Corinthians 11:25 cites the “New Covenant” was the first time Jesus talked about such and those words were put into Jesus’ mouth by Paul. As Jesus is not recorded as using the word then it follows that it was not part of his message. Then Mark repeated what he learned from Paul’s letter and then Matthew and Luke repeated Mark and/or Paul.
In places on this page where the word Prompt appears the text following it is from ChatGPT. Anything in square brackets [ ] is my comments.
What is Paul’s “New Covenant”?
Prompt – Provide a list of all the places in Paul’s authentic seven letters where he defines the new covenant. Cite sources at the end of the response.
In Paul’s authentic letters (commonly agreed to be Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon), the “new covenant” is a significant concept, though he refers to it explicitly only in specific contexts. Below is a list of references where Paul discusses or defines the “new covenant,” along with relevant explanations.
Key References:
- 2 Corinthians 3:6
“He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”- Here, Paul contrasts the “new covenant” with the old covenant of the Law, emphasizing that the new is empowered by the Spirit rather than the written code, which he associates with death.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
- In an extended discussion, Paul compares the glory of the old covenant (given through Moses and written on tablets of stone) with the surpassing glory of the new covenant, written on human hearts by the Spirit. This covenant brings transformation and freedom.
- 1 Corinthians 11:25
“In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”- [Not from Chat – How did Paul know this as he was not there and had little regard for the supposed “pillars of the Church”? This appears to me to be the earliest usage of the phrase “new Covenant” in the NT and was by Paul who had no personal experience with Jesus and very little with those who were with Jesus. Then the synoptics repeated Paul’s words.]
- Romans 8:1-4 (implied)
- While not using the term “new covenant,” Paul speaks of the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus freeing believers from the law of sin and death.
- Galatians 4:21-31 (implied)
- Paul allegorically contrasts Hagar (representing the old covenant) with Sarah (representing the new covenant) to affirm that Christians are children of the free woman, heirs of the promise, not bound by the old covenant of the Law.
Context and Theological Implications:
Paul’s understanding of the new covenant aligns with Old Testament promises, particularly Jeremiah 31:31-34, which speaks of a new covenant written on hearts, characterized by an intimate relationship with God and forgiveness of sins. Paul’s theology emphasizes that this covenant is inaugurated by Christ’s death and resurrection and is mediated through the Spirit, marking a transition from the Mosaic Law to life in Christ.
Sources:
- New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible
- Dunn, James D. G., The Theology of Paul the Apostle
- Wright, N. T., Paul and the Faithfulness of God
- Matera, Frank J., II Corinthians: A Commentary
Did Jesus Speak of the “New Covenant”?
Prompt – Provide a list of all the places where Jesus defines a new covenant. Cite sources at the end of the response.
The concept of the “new covenant” established by Jesus is mentioned explicitly and implicitly in several passages in the New Testament. Below is a list of key instances where Jesus speaks or acts in a way that defines this new covenant.
1. Explicit – The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
- Matthew 26:27–28
“Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'”
- Mark 14:24
“He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.'”
- Luke 22:20
“And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'”
- 1 Corinthians 11:25
“In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'”
[In these passages, Jesus repeats what Paul first said he said.]
Implicit Teachings on the New Covenant [per the sources Chat drew upon]
2. Jesus’ Teaching on Fulfillment of the Law
- Matthew 5:17–18
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.”
[This does not speak of a new covenant.]
3. The Promise of Forgiveness and Transformation
- John 3:16–17
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
[This does not speak of a new covenant.]
4. Teaching on the Bread of Life
- John 6:51–58
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
[This does not speak of a new covenant.]
5. The Great Commandment
- John 13:34–35
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
[This does not speak of a new covenant.]
Theological Commentary
The new covenant is understood [by whom?] as a fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:31–34, where God promises a covenant written on the hearts of his people, characterized by intimate knowledge of God and the forgiveness of sins.
Sources
- All passages are cited from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
- Theological context is drawn from New Testament studies and interpretations of covenant theology.
Is the Greek word for Covenant used Consistently?
Prompt – Is the Greek word Paul used for covenant the same as the Greek word used in Matthew, Mark and Luke in the Lord’s Supper where they have Jesus speaking about the Covenant?
Yes, the Greek word used for “covenant” in the passages describing the Lord’s Supper in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Paul’s letters is the same: διαθήκη (diathēkē). This term is consistently used in these instances to refer to the concept of a covenant.
Here are the key uses:
The Synoptic Gospels
- Matthew 26:28 Greek: τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν τὸ αἷμά μου τῆς διαθήκης
(“For this is my blood of the covenant…”) - Mark 14:24 Greek: τοῦτο ἐστιν τὸ αἷμά μου τῆς διαθήκης
(“This is my blood of the covenant…”) - Luke 22:20 Greek: τοῦτο τὸ ποτήριον ἡ καινὴ διαθήκη ἐν τῷ αἵματί μου
(“This cup is the new covenant in my blood…”)
Paul’s Usage
- 1 Corinthians 11:25 Greek: τοῦτο τὸ ποτήριον ἡ καινὴ διαθήκη ἐστιν ἐν τῷ αἵματί μου
(“This cup is the new covenant in my blood…”)
Theological Significance of Diathēkē
The word διαθήκη is the standard Greek translation of the Hebrew בְּרִית (berith, “covenant”) in the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek version of the Old Testament. It often refers to agreements between God and humanity, such as the Mosaic Covenant.
Were there other Greek words for covenant that could have been used?
Prompt – List all Greek words in biblical times that mean covenant.
In biblical times, several Greek words could be used to express the idea of a “covenant” or similar concepts, though some are much more common in scriptural contexts than others. Here’s a list of these terms and their relevance:
1. διαθήκη (diathēkē)
- Meaning: Covenant, testament, agreement.
- Usage: This is the dominant term in the Septuagint (LXX) and New Testament to translate the Hebrew word בְּרִית (berith), meaning covenant.
- Example: The Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 24:8), the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34, quoted in Hebrews 8:8–12).
- In the New Testament, it refers to the new covenant inaugurated by Jesus (e.g., Matthew 26:28, Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25, Hebrews 8:8–13).
- Context: Primarily used in theological contexts to describe divine covenants.
2. συνθήκη (synthēkē)
- Meaning: A mutual agreement, compact, or treaty.
- Usage: Rarely used in biblical texts, but it was common in secular Greek to describe agreements between equals, such as treaties or contracts.
- Context: The term does not appear in the New Testament but might occur in non-biblical Greek literature and apocryphal works.
3. ὅρκος (horkos)
- Meaning: Oath.
- Usage: While not directly meaning “covenant,” oaths were integral to covenant-making in the ancient Near Eastern context.
- Example: Hebrews 6:16–17 speaks of God confirming His promise with an oath.
- Context: Often associated with the legal or binding elements of agreements.
4. συμφωνία (symphōnia)
- Meaning: Agreement, harmony.
- Usage: Appears in Luke 15:25 to describe music (“symphony”) but in broader Greek usage, it could signify agreements or contracts.
- Context: Not directly linked to covenants but could conceptually relate to mutual agreements.
Summary of Covenant-Specific Terms:
- διαθήκη (diathēkē): The primary term in the Bible for “covenant.”
- συνθήκη (synthēkē): An alternative for agreements, not used in Scripture.
- Related concepts: ὅρκος (oath) for confirming covenants, συμφωνία for general agreements.
In biblical literature, diathēkē overwhelmingly dominates as the term for covenant, due to its theological weight and its established use in the Septuagint to render the Hebrew berith. The other terms rarely appear or have broader, more secular meanings.
