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2 Corinthians Chapter 3

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 18 Verses

What is 2 Corinthians 3 about?

Paul's defense of his apostleship and the theology of the ministry of reconciliation through weakness and suffering. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? or need we, as do some, epistles of commendation to you or from you?
2Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men;
3being made manifest that ye are an 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 tables [that are] hearts of flesh.
4And such confidence have we through Christ to God-ward:
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 ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
7But if the ministration of death, written, [and] engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which [glory] was passing away:
8how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory?
9For if the ministration of condemnation hath glory, much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10For verily that which hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasseth.
11For if that which passeth away [was] with glory, much more that which remaineth [is] in glory.
12Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,
13and [are] not as Moses, [who] put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly 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 remaineth, it not being revealed [to them] that it is done away in Christ.
15But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart.
16But whensoever it shall turn 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 beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Do we begin again to commend ourselves? etc..] The apostle having asserted that he and his fellow ministers always triumphed in Christ, and made manifest the savour of his knowledge in every place; were a sweet savour of Christ to God, did not corrupt the word of God, as some did, but sincerely and faithfully preached Christ; some might insinuate from hence, that he was guilty of arrogance and vain glory; wherefore to remove such a charge, or prevent its being brought, he asks, “do we begin again to commend ourselves?” we do not; what we say, we say honestly, sincerely, in the simplicity of our hearts, without…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THE SOLE COMMENDATION HE NEEDS TO PROVE GOD'S SANCTION OF HIS MINISTRY HE HAS IN HIS CORINTHIAN CONVERTS: HIS MINISTRY EXCELS THE MOSAIC, AS THE GOSPEL OF LIFE AND LIBERTY EXCELS THE LAW OF CONDEMNATION. (2Co. 3:1-18) Are we beginning again to recommend ourselves (Co2 5:12) (as some of them might say he had done in his first Epistle; or, a reproof to "some" who had begun doing so)! commendation--recommendation. (Compare Co2 10:18). The "some" refers to particular persons of the "many" (Co2 2:17) teachers who opposed him, and who came to Corinth with letters of recommendation from other churches; and when leaving…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Do we begin again - This is designed evidently to meet an objection. He had been speaking of his triumph in the ministry 2 Corinthians 2:14, and of his sincerity and honesty, as contrasted with the conduct of many who corrupted the Word of God, 2 Corinthians 2:17. It might be objected that he was magnifying himself in these statements, and designed to commend himself in this manner to the Corinthians. To this he replies in the following verses. To commend ourselves? - To recommend ourselves; do we speak this in our own praise, in order to obtain your favor. Or need we, as some others - Probably some who had…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Do we begin again to recommend ourselves - Is it needful? Have I nothing but my own word to recommend me? St. Paul chiefly here intends himself; though not excluding Timotheus, Titus, and Silvanus. Unless we need - As if he had said, Do I indeed want such recommendation? 2 Corinthians 3:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“3:1-3 Paul’s ministry was validated by the lives of those who were changed by the Good News rather than by a letter of recommendation (cp. Acts 18:27). Christ, the author of this transformation, used Paul to lead believers to him. The marks of genuineness are not in letters written . . . with pen and ink on parchment, but in the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) in human lives and carved . . . on human hearts.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“begin: Co2 2:17, Co2 5:12, Co2 10:8, Co2 10:12, Co2 12:11, Co2 12:19; Co1 3:10, Co1 4:15, Co1 10:33 epistles: Act 18:27; Co1 16:3 2 Corinthians 3:2”
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