2 Corinthians 3:6

“Who also hath made us able ministers, etc..] This is an answer to the question in (<470216>2 Corinthians 2:16) who is sufficient for these things? no man is of himself; we are indeed sufficient for them, but not of ourselves; our sufficiency is of God, he hath made us able, or sufficient ministers: such ministers as are not of men's, but God's making, are sufficient ones; and none are sufficient but whom God makes so; and those he makes able and sufficient, by giving them spiritual gifts, fitting them for the ministry: and these are ministers of the New Testament, or “covenant”; the covenant of grace, of which Christ is the Mediator and surety; called “new”, not because newly made, for it…”

“able--rather, as the Greek is the same, corresponding to Co2 3:5, translate, "sufficient as ministers" (Eph 3:7; Col 1:23). the new testament--"the new covenant" as contrasted with the Old Testament or covenant (Co1 11:25; Gal 4:24). He reverts here again to the contrast between the law on "tables of stone," and that "written by the Spirit on fleshly tables of the heart" (Co2 3:3). not of the letter--joined with "ministers"; ministers not of the mere literal precept, in which the old law, as then understood, consisted; "but of the Spirit," that is, the spiritual holiness which lay under the old law, and which the new covenant brings to light (Mat. 5:17-48) with new motives added, and a new…”

“Who also hath made us able ministers ... - This translation does not quite meet the force of the original. It would seem to imply that Paul regarded himself and his fellowlaborers as people of talents, and of signal ability; and that he was inclined to boast of it. But this is not the meaning. It refers properly to his sense of the responsibility and difficulty of the work of the ministry; and to the fact that he did not esteem himself to be sufficient for this work in his own strength 2 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 3:5; and he here says that God had made him sufficient: not able, talented, learned, but sufficient ἱκάνωσεν ἡμᾶς hikanōsen hēmas; he has supplied our deficiency; he has…”

“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new covenant - Of the new, evangelical dispensation. Not of the law, fitly called the letter, from God's literally writing it on the two tables. But of the Spirit - Of the gospel dispensation, which is written on the tables of our hearts by the Spirit. For the letter - The law, the Mosaic dispensation. Killeth - Seals in death those who still cleave to it. But the Spirit - The gospel, conveying the Spirit to those who receive it. Giveth life - Both spiritual and eternal: yea, if we adhere to the literal sense even of the moral law, if we regard only the precept and the sanction as they stand in themselves, not as they lead us to Christ, they are…”

“hath: Co2 5:18-20; Mat 13:52; Rom 1:5; Co1 3:5, Co1 3:10, Co1 12:28; Eph 3:7, Eph 4:11, Eph 4:12; Col 1:25-29; Ti1 1:11, Ti1 1:12, Ti1 4:6; Ti2 1:11 the new: Co2 3:14; Jer 31:31; Mat 26:28; Mar 14:24; Luk 22:20; Co1 11:25; Heb 7:22; Heb 8:6-10, Heb 9:15-20, Heb 12:24, Heb 13:20 \*marg. not: Rom 2:27-29, Rom 7:6 for: Co2 3:7, Co2 3:9; Deu 27:26; Rom 3:20, Rom 4:15, Rom 7:9-11; Gal 3:10-12, Gal 3:21 but the: Joh 6:63; Rom 8:2; Jo1 1:1 giveth life: or, quickeneth, Joh 5:21; Rom 4:17; Co1 15:45; Eph 2:1, Eph 2:5; Pe1 3:18 2 Corinthians 3:7”