2 Corinthians 3:17

“Now the Lord is that Spirit, etc..] “The Lord”, to whom the heart is turned, when the veil is removed, is Jesus Christ; and he is “that Spirit”, or “the Spirit”: he, as God, is of a spiritual nature and essence; he is a spirit, as God is said to be, (<430424>John 4:24) he is the giver of the Spirit of God, and the very life and spirit of the law, without whom as the end of it, it is a mere dead letter: or rather as by Moses in (<470315>2 Corinthians 3:15) is meant, the law of Moses, so by the “Lord” here may be meant the Gospel of Christ: and this is that Spirit, of which the apostles were made ministers, and is said to give life, (<470306>2 Corinthians 3:6). And where the Spirit of the Lord…”

“the Lord--Christ (Co2 3:14, Co2 3:16; Co2 4:5). is that Spirit--is THE Spirit, namely, that Spirit spoken of in Co2 3:6, and here resumed after the parenthesis (Co2 3:7-16): Christ is the Spirit and "end" of the Old Testament, who giveth life to it, whereas "the letter killeth" (Co1 15:45; Rev 19:10, end). where the Spirit of the Lord is--in a man's "heart" (Co2 3:15; Rom 8:9-10). there is liberty-- (Joh 8:36). "There," and there only. Such cease to be slaves to the letter, which they were while the veil was on their heart. They are free to serve God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus (Phi 3:3): they have no longer the spirit of bondage, but of free sonship (Rom 8:15; Gal 4:7).…”

“Now the Lord is that Spirit - The word “Lord” here evidently refers to the Lord Jesus; see 2 Corinthians 3:16. It may be observed in general in regard to this word, that where it occurs in the New Testament unless the connection require us to understand it of God, it refers to the Lord Jesus. It was the common name by which he was known; see John 20:13; John 21:7, John 21:12; Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:5. The design of Paul in this verse seems to be to account for the “liberty” which he and the other apostles had, or for the boldness, openness, and plainness 2 Corinthians 3:12 which they evinced in contradistinction from the Jews. who so little understood the nature of their institutions. He…”

“Now the Lord - Christ is that Spirit of the law whereof I speak, to which the letter was intended to lead. And where the Spirit of the Lord, Christ, is, there is liberty - Not the veil, the emblem of slavery. There is liberty from servile fear, liberty from the guilt and from the power of sin, liberty to behold with open face the glory of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18”

“the Lord: Co2 3:6; Joh 6:63; Co1 15:45 where: Psa 51:12; Isa 61:1; Rom 8:2, Rom 8:15, Rom 8:16; Gal 4:6; Ti2 1:7 2 Corinthians 3:18”