2 Corinthians 3:2

“Ye are our epistle, etc..] Here a reason is given why they stood in no need of letters of commendation, to or from the church at Corinth, because that church was their living epistle, and which was much preferable to any written one. The apostle calls them their epistle in the same sense, as they are said to be his “work in the Lord, and the seal of his apostleship”, (<460901>1 Corinthians 9:1,2) they were so as persons regenerated by the Spirit and grace of God, in whose conversion he was an instrument; now it was the work of conversion in them, which was the epistle said to be written in our hearts; some think it should be read, “in your hearts”; and so the Ethiopic version reads it; and…”

“our epistle--of recommendation. in our hearts--not letters borne merely in the hands. Your conversion through my instrumentality, and your faith which is "known of all men" by widespread report (Co1 1:4-7), and which is written by memory and affection on my inmost heart and is borne about wherever I go, is my letter of recommendation (Co1 9:2). known and read--words akin in root, sound, and sense (so Co2 1:13). "Ye are known to be my converts by general knowledge: then ye are known more particularly by your reflecting my doctrine in your Christian life." The handwriting is first "known," then the Epistle is "read" [GROTIUS] (Co2 4:2; Co1 14:25). There is not so powerful a sermon in the…”

“Ye are our epistle - compare 1 Corinthians 9:2. This is a most beautiful and happy turn given to the whole subject. The sense is plain. It is, that the conversion of the Corinthians, under the faithful labors of the apostle, was a better testimonial of his character and fidelity than any letters could be. To see the force of this, it must be remembered: That Corinth was an exceedingly dissolute and abandoned place (see the introduction to the First Epistle); That a large number of them had been converted, and a church organized; That their conversion, and the organization of a church in such a city were events that would be known abroad; and, That it had been accomplished entirely under the…”

“Ye are our recommendatory letter - More convincing than bare words could be. Written on our hearts - Deeply engraven there, and plainly legible to all around us. 2 Corinthians 3:3”

“are: Co1 3:10, Co1 9:1, Co1 9:2 in: Co2 7:3, Co2 11:11, Co2 12:15; Phi 1:7 known: Rom 1:8; Co1 9:2; Th1 1:8 2 Corinthians 3:3”