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2 Corinthians 3

World English Bible

WEB

1Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you? 2You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men, 3being 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. 4Such confidence we have through Christ toward God, 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 servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7But 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, 8won’t service of the Spirit be with much more glory? 9For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses. 11For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory. 12Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 13and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face so that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly 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 remains, because in Christ it passes away. 15But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16But whenever someone turns 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 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, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

2 Corinthians Chapter 3 presents a profound contrast between the old covenant, represented by the law given to Moses, and the new covenant established through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul begins by defending his ministry, emphasizing that he does not need letters of recommendation, as the Corinthians themselves are his letter, written on their hearts and known by all. This highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, as they are made new creations in Christ (#2Corinthians3:1-3).

Paul then elaborates on the glory of the old covenant, which came with a fading glory as Moses' face shone after receiving the law. However, he argues that the glory of the new covenant is far greater and permanent, as it brings life and righteousness (#2Corinthians3:7-9). The chapter emphasizes that the Spirit gives life, contrasting the letter of the law, which brings death. Paul reassures the believers that through the Spirit, they are transformed into the image of Christ, moving from glory to glory (#2Corinthians3:17-18). This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the freedom and transformation that comes through faith in Jesus, encouraging believers to embrace their identity in the new covenant and the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

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Referenced by

  1. Exodus 34:29-30v7Exodus 34:29-30 describes Moses' face shining after speaking with God, which Paul references in 2 Corinthians 3:7-8 to contrast the glory of the old covenant with the greater glory of the new covenant.
  2. Romans 7:6v6Romans 7:6 discusses being released from the law to serve in the new way of the Spirit, which is echoed in 2 Corinthians 3:6 where Paul contrasts the letter that kills with the Spirit that gives life.
  3. 1 Corinthians 13:12v181 Corinthians 13:12 speaks of seeing dimly now but clearly in the future, which is similar to 2 Corinthians 3:18, where believers are being transformed into the image of Christ.

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