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2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
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Matthew Henry's 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 Bible commentary...
The preference of the gospel to the law given by Moses. (1-11) The preaching of the apostle was suitable to the excellency and evidence of the gospel, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (12-18)1-11 Even the appearance of self-praise and courting human applause, is painful to the humble and spiritual mind. Nothing is more delightful to faithful ministers, or more to their praise, than the success of their ministry, as shown in the spirits and lives of those among whom they labour. The law of Christ was written in their hearts, and the love of Christ shed abroad there. Nor was it written in tables of stone, as the law of God given to Moses, but on the fleshy (not fleshly, as fleshliness denotes sensuality) tables of the heart, #Eze 36:26|. Their hearts were humbled and softened to receive this impression, by the new-creating power of the Holy Spirit. He ascribes all the glory to God. And remember, as our whole dependence is upon the Lord, so the whole glory belongs to him alone. The letter killeth: the letter of the law is the ministration of death; and if we rest only in the letter of the gospel, we shall not be the better for so doing: but the Holy Spirit gives life spiritual, and life eternal. The Old Testament dispensation was the ministration of death, but the New Testament of life. The law made known sin, and the wrath and curse of God; it showed us a God above us, and a God against us; but the gospel makes known grace, and Emmanuel, God with us. Therein the righteousness of God by faith is revealed; and this shows us that the just shall live by his faith; this makes known the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ, for obtaining the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The gospel so much exceeds the law in glory, that it eclipses the glory of the legal dispensation. But even the New Testament will be a killing letter, if shown as a mere system or form, and without dependence on God the Holy Spirit, to give it a quickening power.
12-18 It is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness, or clearness, of speech. The Old Testament believers had only cloudy and passing glimpses of that glorious Saviour, and unbelievers looked no further than to the outward institution. But the great precepts of the gospel, believe, love, obey, are truths stated as clearly as possible. And the whole doctrine of Christ crucified, is made as plain as human language can make it. Those who lived under the law, had a veil upon their hearts. This veil is taken away by the doctrines of the Bible about Christ. When any person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is taken away. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is happy, for the heart is set at liberty to run the ways of God's commandments. They have light, and with open face they behold the glory of the Lord. Christians should prize and improve these privileges. We should not rest contented without knowing the transforming power of the gospel, by the working of the Spirit, bringing us to seek to be like the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and into union with Him. We behold Christ, as in the glass of his word; and as the reflection from a mirror causes the face to shine, the faces of Christians shine also.
Recent Comments for 2 Corinthians Chapter 3...
R. D. Mattock's 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 comment on 3/08/2013, 4:36pm...
Verse 17, Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Psalms 46:5, “God is in the midst of her”. This puts it in the right perspective of the Lord being the Most High. The children of Israel really believe in this, and I wonder if we really believe it. David was saying God is in the midst; He stands in the midst of us. Jesus stood upon this earth and told His disciples “I’ll never leave you nor forsake you”, truly He is in the midst of us. Jesus said “whenever two or three are gathered in my name, there I’ll be in the midst”. Church, it’s time to realize that God is in the midst of His Church. He’s here, right now, in this place. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Evalena Latham's 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 comment on 2/05/2013, 12:45pm...
Almighty God through Jesus Christ will never leave us once we have received His Son. That is good news so we can rest in His power to keep us.
Oscar's 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 comment on 10/07/2012, 8:22pm...
Without the spirit of God and Jesus we cannot be free, we need freedom in our lives.
RALPH M. WATERS's 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 comment on 11/03/2011, 2:44pm...
THIS CHAPTER, IS A CHAPTER INWHICH - PEOPLE THAT DO NOT HEAR GOD'S WORD ARE STILL WALKING IN DARKNESS. THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT, HEAR AND DO GOD'S WORD. THE VALE HAS BEEN LIFTED THROUGH CHRIST JESUS, BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE BLINDED THE VALE REMAINS.
Ben weaver's 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 comment about verse 6 on 3/31/2011, 4:13pm...
V.6 & following distinguishes between old and new testament (or covenants). The old, called the letter was engraved in stone, (probably the ten commandments). It killed, served death and condemnation and was to be done away with, and abolished. The new covenant is spiritual and gives life. It glows brighter in bringing us rightness, and will remain forever. This hope is of God and shall not be veiled, but spoken plainly and boldly. All these thoughts are found from V.5 to 13. Jesus is that life-giving spirit.
Glenda's 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 comment on 12/01/2010, 8:24am...
verse 17 explans it all "Now the Lord is that Sprit: and where the Sprit of the Lord is, there is liberty" People who do not know the Lord can not understand this liberty. They think Christians have to many restrictions on thier lives to be happy or have any freedom. We need to lead our livies in such a way that when they see us they want what we have.
Ben Weaver's 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 comment about verse 6 on 11/30/2010, 2:32pm...
Ministers of the new testament / covenant, not of the letter, but of the spirit. Bible organizers and publishers have borrowed the phrase "new testament" to describe the added scriptures, after Malachi. This can be confusing since the Bible's definition of testament is a covenant or arrangment that only came into affect after the cross. See Heb. 9:15-17. The teachings of John the Baptist and Jesus to people who were still under the Moses covenant, were usually not new testament, although they at times adressed it. When Jesus told them to do whatever the Scribes and Pharisees bid them (Matt. 23:2), He was not teaching born-again Christians. Peter was not converted until after the resurrection. See Lu.22:32). To minister, means to serve so in that sense, we can all be ministers one to another. V.3 of this passage states, "You are the epistle (letter) of Christ...written, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. May our Lord direct and bless.
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