ScriptureDepth's study of 2 Corinthians 3
“Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
Paul writes to the Corinthians about the transformative presence of the Spirit, asserting that where the Spirit is present, there is 'liberty', which contrasts with the old covenant.
What 2 Corinthians 3 is about
Paul begins by questioning the need for letters of commendation. He asserts that the Corinthians themselves are a letter, known by all, written by the Spirit of God (vv. 1-3). He speaks of confidence from God, noting that their sufficiency comes from Him, who made them servants of a new covenant, one that gives life rather than death (vv. 4-6). Next, Paul compares the old and new covenants. He describes the glory of the old covenant, which was evident in Moses, but explains that the glory of the new covenant far surpasses it (vv. 7-11). Paul expresses boldness in ministry, contrasting his openness with Moses, who had to veil his face (vv. 12-14). Finally, he notes that the veil remains for many when reading the old covenant. However, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed, leading to transformation as they behold the glory of the Lord (vv. 15-18).
The chapter leaves the reader holding the promise that turning to the Lord removes the veil and brings transformation.
2 Corinthians 3 at a glance
- 2 Corinthians 3:1–3Defense of Apostolic Authority
- 2 Corinthians 3:4–6Confidence from God
- 2 Corinthians 3:7–11Comparison of Covenants
- 2 Corinthians 3:12–14Boldness in Ministry
- 2 Corinthians 3:15–18The Unveiling in Christ
Key verse: 2 Corinthians 3:17
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read 2 Corinthians 3 (WEB)
Defense of Apostolic Authority 2 Corinthians 3:1–3
1Verse 1. Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you? 2Verse 2. You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3Verse 3. being 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.
Confidence from God 2 Corinthians 3:4–6
4Verse 4. Such confidence we have through Christ toward God; 5Verse 5. not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; 6Verse 6. who 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.
Comparison of Covenants 2 Corinthians 3:7–11
7Verse 7. But 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; 8Verse 8. won’t service of the Spirit be with much more glory? 9Verse 9. For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10Verse 10. For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses. 11Verse 11. For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.
Boldness in Ministry 2 Corinthians 3:12–14
12Verse 12. Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 13Verse 13. and 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. 14Verse 14. But 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.
The Unveiling in Christ 2 Corinthians 3:15–18
15Verse 15. But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16Verse 16. But whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Verse 17. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18Verse 18. But 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)
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Main themes in 2 Corinthians 3
New Covenant vs Old Covenant
In verses 6-7, Paul contrasts the new covenant with the old covenant, stating that he and others are 'servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit.' He points out that 'the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.' This comparison highlights the surpassing glory of the new covenant over the old, which was marked by death and condemnation.
Glory of the Spirit
The glory of the Spirit is a significant aspect in verses 8-11, where Paul argues that the 'service of the Spirit' will have 'much more glory' than the service of the old covenant. He notes that although the old covenant had glory, much more glory is found in that which remains, which is tied to the Spirit's work in believers, contrasting the passing nature of the old.
Transformation in Christ
In verses 17-18, Paul states that 'Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.' He describes how believers, with 'unveiled face,' are 'transformed into the same image from glory to glory.' This transformation is an ongoing process facilitated by the Spirit, indicating the significant change that takes place in those who follow Christ.
Freedom in the Spirit
Freedom in the Spirit is proclaimed in verse 17, where Paul affirms that 'where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.' This freedom stands in contrast to the bondage associated with the old covenant. The chapter culminates with the idea that believers, transformed by the Spirit, experience a liberating relationship with God that is dynamic and life-giving.
Chapter outline
How 2 Corinthians 3 unfolds
2 Corinthians 3:1–3 Defense of Apostolic Authority
Paul questions the need for letters of commendation, asserting that the Corinthian believers themselves are 'our letter,' known and read by all, a testament to their ministry (vv. 1-3).
2 Corinthians 3:4–6 Confidence from God
Paul expresses confidence in God, acknowledging that their sufficiency as ministers comes from God rather than themselves, highlighting the distinction between the old and new covenants (vv. 4-6).
2 Corinthians 3:7–11 Comparison of Covenants
Paul compares the glory of the old covenant, associated with Moses and death, to the greater glory of the new covenant of the Spirit, emphasizing the surpassing nature of the new (vv. 7-11).
2 Corinthians 3:12–14 Boldness in Ministry
Paul states that he speaks with boldness rather than veiling his face like Moses did, contrasting the fading glory with the enduring glory revealed in Christ (vv. 12-14).
2 Corinthians 3:15–18 The Unveiling in Christ
Paul describes the continuing veil over the hearts of those reading the old covenant, which is removed in Christ, leading to transformation and liberty through the Spirit (vv. 15-18).
Key verses
2 Corinthians 3:17Paul writes to the Corinthians about the transformative presence of the Spirit, asserting that where the Spirit is present, there is 'liberty', which contrasts with the old covenant.
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Study questions
Questions for studying 2 Corinthians 3
- observeIn v3, what is described as being 'written not with ink'?
- observeWhat does Paul say in v6 about the 'letter' and the 'Spirit'?
- interpretIn vv. 14-15, why does Paul mention the 'veil' that remains over their hearts?
- interpretIn v12, what does Paul mean by 'great boldness of speech'?
- applyWhen have you experienced a moment of 'liberty' as described in v17?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo 2 Corinthians 3
- Romans 82 Corinthians 3:18 and Romans 8:29Both transformed: 2 Corinthians 3:18 speaks of being transformed into the same image, while Romans 8:29 mentions being conformed to the image of his Son.
- Philippians 42 Corinthians 3:4 and Philippians 4:13Both confidence: 2 Corinthians 3:4 expresses confidence through Christ towards God, while Philippians 4:13 affirms doing all things through Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 42 Corinthians 3:18 and 2 Corinthians 4:6Both glory: 2 Corinthians 3:18 mentions transformation into the same image of glory, while 2 Corinthians 4:6 refers to the knowledge of the glory of God.
- Hebrews 82 Corinthians 3:3 and Hebrews 8:10Both hearts: 2 Corinthians 3:3 reveals believers as letters written on hearts of flesh, while Hebrews 8:10 speaks of laws written on hearts.
- Galatians 52 Corinthians 3:17 and Galatians 5:1Both liberty: 2 Corinthians 3:17 indicates liberty where the Spirit is, while Galatians 5:1 speaks of standing firm in that liberty.
- Jeremiah 312 Corinthians 3:3 and Jeremiah 31:33Both covenant: 2 Corinthians 3:3 discusses a letter written on hearts, while Jeremiah 31:33 mentions putting the law in their hearts.
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Where to go from here
- 2 Corinthians: the whole bookThis is Paul's most personal and most turbulent letter.
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