2 Corinthians3

Paul asserts that the Corinthian believers are his living letter of commendation, written by the Spirit of God on their hearts. He contrasts the Old Covenant, a ministration of death and condemnation, with the New Covenant, a ministration of the Spirit that gives life and righteousness. This new covenant far exceeds the old in glory, removing the veil that obscured understanding and granting liberty and transformation through the Spirit.
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The Corinthians: Paul's Letter of Recommendation

1
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? ​
2
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3
Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. ​
4
And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; ​

The Sufficiency of the New Covenant Ministry

6
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. ​

The Superior Glory of the Spirit

7
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: ​
8
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. ​
10
For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
11
For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. ​

Clarity and Transformation by the Spirit

12
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: ​
13
And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: ​
14
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. ​
15
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. ​
17
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ​
18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. ​

Study Notes for 2 Corinthians 3

Verse 1

Paul addresses critics (likely rival teachers) who demanded formal letters of commendation to prove his apostolic authority. Paul asserts that his successful ministry in Corinth is the only proof needed.

Verse 3

Paul uses the powerful contrast between the Old Covenant (written on stone, Ex. 34:1) and the New Covenant (written by the Holy Spirit on the human heart, Jer. 31:33).

Verse 5

This verse is a crucial theological statement on ministry. Paul emphasizes that the ability (sufficiency) for their effective ministry comes entirely from God, countering any claim of human power or inherent merit.

Verse 6

Paul defines his ministry as belonging to the New Covenant (or Testament). The 'letter' refers to the Mosaic Law, which merely exposes sin and brings condemnation ('killeth'), while the 'Spirit' refers to the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit under the new agreement.

Verse 7

The 'ministration of death' refers to the Mosaic Law (the Ten Commandments written on stone). Although it was glorious—evidenced by Moses’ radiant face (Ex. 34:29)—its function was to condemn those who failed to keep it.

Verse 9

The contrast is intensified: if the Law, which condemns, was glorious, the new ministry that imputes righteousness through Christ must possess a far greater, enduring glory.

Verse 11

The Old Covenant was 'done away' (abolished) in the sense that its provisional role was fulfilled in Christ. The New Covenant 'remains' (is permanent) because it is based on eternal righteousness.

Verse 12

Because the New Covenant is permanent and superior, Paul’s ministry is characterized by 'great plainness of speech' (boldness or clarity), unlike the veiled nature of the Old Covenant.

Verse 13

Referring to Exodus 34:33-35, Moses veiled his face not only because the glory was intense but also to hide the fact that the radiance was fading, symbolizing the temporary nature of the Law.

Verse 14

The 'vail' symbolizes the spiritual blindness of Israel, preventing them from understanding the Law’s true purpose and its fulfillment in Christ. This spiritual veil is only removed through faith in Christ.

Verse 16

Paul promises that when Israel turns to Christ (the Lord), the spiritual blindness will cease, and they will fully grasp the gospel message.

Verse 17

Paul equates 'the Lord' (Jesus Christ) with 'the Spirit.' Where the Holy Spirit is active, there is liberty—freedom from the Law’s condemnation and the bondage of sin.

Verse 18

Unlike Moses, believers see God’s glory 'with open face.' This vision acts like a mirror, reflecting the glory of Christ, resulting in a progressive spiritual transformation (sanctification) into His likeness.

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