2 Corinthians 3
Read 2 Corinthians 3 (WEB)+
1Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you? 2You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh. 4Such confidence we have through Christ toward God; 5not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away; 8won’t service of the Spirit be with much more glory? 9For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses. 11For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory. 12Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 13and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away. 14But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away. 15But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16But whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."”
2 Corinthians 3:17
Summary
In 2 Corinthians chapter 3, Paul defends his ministry and contrasts the Old Covenant, represented by the tablets of stone given to Moses, with the New Covenant, which is established through the Spirit. He explains that his confidence comes from God, not from any letters of recommendation or human credentials. Paul emphasizes that the New Covenant brings life and righteousness through the Spirit, in contrast to the Old Covenant which brought condemnation and death. He elucidates how the ministry of the Spirit is far more glorious than the ministry of the law and how believers, by turning to the Lord, are transformed from one degree of glory to another. A key theme is the veil that remains over the hearts of those who do not believe, which is only removed in Christ.
Go deeper
Ask the AI about 2 Corinthians 3
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.
Subscribe free and instantly get “Depth Without Seminary” — our step-by-step study guide (PDF).
One short email each morning. Unsubscribe anytime.
Studying 2 Corinthians with a print Bible beside you? See our picks for the best study Bibles for men.
Chapter outline
How 2 Corinthians 3 unfolds
2 Corinthians 3:1–3 Defense of Apostolic Authority
Paul questions the need for commendation letters, asserting that the Corinthian believers themselves are his letter, known and read by all.
2 Corinthians 3:4–6 Confidence from God
He expresses confidence through Christ, emphasizing that their sufficiency as ministers comes from God, highlighting the distinction between the letter and the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:7–11 Comparison of Covenants
Paul contrasts the Old Covenant's glory, associated with death, to the New Covenant's surpassing glory, which brings life and righteousness.
2 Corinthians 3:12–14 Boldness in Ministry
With hope, Paul speaks boldly, contrasting his ministry with Moses, whose veil symbolized the hardening of hearts regarding the Old Covenant.
2 Corinthians 3:15–18 The Unveiling in Christ
He explains that a veil covers the hearts of the unfaithful, but turning to the Lord removes it, allowing for transformation and freedom through the Spirit.
Key verses
2 Corinthians 3:17This verse encapsulates the chapter's focus on the transformative work of the Spirit, highlighting the freedom it brings to believers.
Main themes in 2 Corinthians 3
New Covenant vs Old Covenant
The theme of the New Covenant versus the Old Covenant emerges in 2 Corinthians 3, especially in verses 6 and 9 where Paul makes a clear comparison. He characterizes the Old Covenant as one that brings condemnation and death, highlighting its limitations, while he presents the New Covenant as one that offers righteousness and life through the Spirit. This distinction serves to illustrate the profound transformation that occurs in the lives of believers under the New Covenant, marking a significant shift from the law to grace.
Glory of the Spirit
Paul highlights the glory of the Spirit in verses 8-11, demonstrating that the ministry of the Spirit exceeds the glory of the Old Covenant. The chapter develops this by arguing that the Spirit brings lasting glory that does not fade, unlike the glory associated with Moses. This focus on glory underscores the superiority of the Christian experience through the Spirit.
Transformation in Christ
Transformation appears in verse 18, where Paul speaks of believers being changed into the image of the Lord. This transformation is linked to the unveiling that occurs when one turns to the Lord, indicating a deep spiritual change. The theme encapsulates the chapter's message about the profound impact of the Spirit on believers.
Freedom in the Spirit
In verse 17, Paul emphasizes that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom, introducing a crucial aspect of the New Covenant. This freedom stands in stark contrast to the restrictions associated with the Old Covenant, which often bound individuals to the law without the life-giving Spirit. By highlighting this theme, Paul underscores that genuine liberty and transformation are found in the work of the Spirit, which empowers believers to live in a new way.
Cross-references
Passages that echo 2 Corinthians 3
- Romans 8Romans 8 connects by emphasizing life in the Spirit, highlighting the shift from condemnation to freedom.
- Philippians 4Philippians 4 echoes the themes of confidence and sufficiency found in God's provision for believers.
- 2 Corinthians 42 Corinthians 4 develops the theme of glory, contrasting the fading glory of the old with the enduring glory of the new.
- Hebrews 8Hebrews 8 connects by discussing the superiority of the New Covenant compared to the Old Covenant.
- Galatians 5Galatians 5 emphasizes freedom in Christ, echoing Paul's assertion that the Spirit brings true liberty.
- Jeremiah 31Jeremiah 31 develops the concept of a new covenant, foreshadowing its fulfillment in Christ.
Study questions
Questions for studying 2 Corinthians 3
- What metaphor does Paul use to describe the Corinthians in verses 1-3?
- How does Paul differentiate between the letter and the Spirit in verse 6?
- What does Paul imply about Moses' veil in verses 12-14?
- How does the glory of the New Covenant compare to the Old Covenant?
- What transformation occurs for believers as described in verse 18?
- How is the theme of freedom articulated through the Spirit in this chapter?
- What significance does Paul place on confidence derived from God rather than human credentials?
2 Corinthians 3: frequently asked questions
What is 2 Corinthians 3 about?+
What is the key verse in 2 Corinthians 3?+
What are the main themes of 2 Corinthians 3?+
Studied in
Where 2 Corinthians 3 comes up on ScriptureDepth
Related chapters