2 Corinthians 3

Ministers of the New Covenant

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? Parallel theme: 2 Corinthians 2:17, 5:12, 10:12, 12:11, 12:19, Acts 18:27, 1 Corinthians 3:10, 4:15, 10:33, 16:3 +5

2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Parallel theme: Romans 1:8, Philippians 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 1:8

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 GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally.; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. References God: 2 Corinthians 6:16, Exodus 31:18, Psalms 40:8, Jeremiah 31:33, Hebrews 8:10. Spirit: Ezekiel 11:19, Hebrews 9:14. Parallel theme: Exodus 24:12, Proverbs 3:3, Hebrews 10:16 +5

4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: References Christ: 2 Corinthians 2:14, Philippians 1:6. Faith: Ephesians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:8. References God: Exodus 18:19

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; References God: 2 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 3:6, 3:10, 15:10, Philippians 2:13. Parallel theme: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Luke 21:15, John 15:5, Philippians 4:13, James 1:17 +5

6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers.: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Covenant: 2 Corinthians 3:14, Jeremiah 31:31, Hebrews 7:22, 12:24, 13:20. Spirit: John 6:63, Romans 7:6, 8:2, 1 Corinthians 15:45. Parallel theme: Romans 3:20 +5

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 gloryGlory: δόξα (Doxa). The Greek doxa (δόξα) means glory, splendor, or magnificence—the radiant manifestation of God's perfection. Christ revealed the Father's glory: 'we beheld his glory' (John 1:14). of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: References Moses: Exodus 24:12, 31:18. Parallel theme: 2 Corinthians 3:3, 3:6, Psalms 119:97, 119:174, Acts 6:15, Romans 4:15, 10:4, 1 Corinthians 13:10 +5

8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? Spirit: Isaiah 11:2, 44:3, 59:21, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Galatians 3:14, Ephesians 2:18, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:2. Parallel theme: John 1:17 +4

9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. Righteousness: 2 Corinthians 5:21

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. Parallel theme: Hebrews 8:13

The Glory of the New Covenant

12 Seeing then that we have such hopeHope: ἐλπίς (Elpis). The Greek elpis (ἐλπίς) denotes hope—confident expectation of good. This hope is 'an anchor of the soul' (Hebrews 6:19), grounded in Christ's resurrection and the believer's future inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-4)., we use great plainness of speech: Hope: Philippians 1:20. Parallel theme: 2 Corinthians 7:4, John 16:29, Acts 4:13

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: References Moses: 2 Corinthians 3:7. Parallel theme: Colossians 2:17

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. References Christ: 2 Corinthians 4:6. Parallel theme: Isaiah 44:18, Jeremiah 5:21, Matthew 13:11, 16:17, John 12:40, Acts 13:15, 16:14, 26:18, Romans 11:25 +5

15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint., the vail shall be taken away. References Lord: Exodus 34:34, Deuteronomy 4:30, 30:10, Isaiah 54:13, Jeremiah 31:34, Lamentations 3:40. Parallel theme: Isaiah 25:7, 29:18, Romans 11:23 +4

17 Now the Lord is that SpiritSpirit: πνεῦμα (Pneuma). The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers.: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Spirit: 2 Corinthians 3:6, Psalms 51:12, John 6:63, Romans 8:2, 1 Corinthians 15:45, Galatians 4:6, 2 Timothy 1:7. Parallel theme: John 8:32, Galatians 5:1, 5:13 +5

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the gloryGlory: δόξα (Doxa). The Greek doxa (δόξα) means glory, splendor, or magnificence—the radiant manifestation of God's perfection. Christ revealed the Father's glory: 'we beheld his glory' (John 1:14). of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Glory: 2 Corinthians 4:4, 4:6, John 1:14, 17:24. Parallel theme: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:29, 12:2, 1 Corinthians 13:12, 15:49, Colossians 3:10 +5