Useful Bible Studies > 2 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 3. 3. Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? The more of Jesus in me, the less of me in me. 2 Corinthians 3:2 f. This ironical excitement, 2 Corinthians 3:1 , is succeeded by earnestness and pathos. And remember, as our whole dependence is upon the Lord, so the whole glory belongs to him alone. 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our [] hearts, to be known and read by all. No outward obedience is of the slightest value unless the heart turns to God. Paul, they said, was weak. 2 Corinthians 3:18 "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord." We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Those who lived under the law, had a veil upon their hearts. Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? True Christians ascend through various stages of glory as they read God’s Word due to the transforming power of the gospel. 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. They had letters to recommend them (2 Corinthians 3:1). The preference of the gospel to the law given by Moses. They have light, and with open face they behold the glory of the Lord. Commentaries for 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 Paul's Letter of Recommendation It is unthinkable in our society to present yourself to a prospective employer without a résumé in hand and a list of references at your fingertips... View the entire commentary Ministers of the New Covenant. Read commentary on this popular Bible verse and understand the real meaning behind God's Word using John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. Because Paul is a minister of the new covenant, which allows those in Christ to see God's glory, Paul can be far more bold than Moses. 2 Corinthians 3 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is filled with great exegesis and written by the best British Bible scholars of the time. When I become so full of Christ that others can see Christ in me, then the Scripture above becomes more true in my life. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 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. 2 Corinthians 11:3 The Revised Version, amongst other alterations, reads, ‘the simplicity that is _towards_ Christ.’ The inaccurate rendering of the Authorised Version is responsible for a mistake in the meaning of these words, which has done much harm. 2 Corinthians 3 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, as set of 17 volumes on the New Testament, the result of Barclay's dedicated work Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 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. The Old Testament dispensation was the ministration of death, but the New Testament of life. 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. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. 2 Corinthians 3. It is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness, or clearness, of speech. (1-11) The preaching of the apostle was suitable to the excellency and evidence of the gospel, through the power of the Holy Ghost. And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.. a. 2 Corinthians 3 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary by Albert Barnes, a dedicated student of the Bible, continues to be very popular even today. 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. And the whole doctrine of Christ crucified, is made as plain as human language can make it. 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. God’s Holy Spirit is working in the lives of his people in an astonishing way. He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. The passage … We see the glory of the Lord, and it changes us 2 Corinthians 3:18. Boldness is a word that belongs with liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. This veil is taken away by the doctrines of the Bible about Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:6-11 He proveth the superior excellency of the gospel ministry to that of the law, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 and thereupon justifieth his plain speaking, as under a dispensation of greater light and liberty than that of Moses. 1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Proud member Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:1-11 (Read 2 Corinthians 3:1-11) Even the appearance of self-praise and courting human applause, is painful to the humble and spiritual mind. 2 Corinthians 3:1-11 New International Version (NIV). But the great precepts of the gospel, believe, love, obey, are truths stated as clearly as possible. (1) Paul confronts their condition. 2 Corinthians 3:1 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 2 Corinthians 3:1, NIV: "Are we beginning to commend ourselves again?Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?" The Lord is that Spirit, or he is that Spirit mentioned 2 Corinthians 3:18; he is a Spirit, and he gives out of the Spirit unto his people, the Spirit of holiness and sanctification. The preference of the gospel to the law given by Moses. 2 Corinthians 3 Commentary, This commentary, one of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, takes one through the New Testament verse by verse. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary (concise), Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete), California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 2 Corinthians 3:13-18 New International Version (NIV). Ministers of a New Covenant. (12-18). ◄ 2 Corinthians 3:3 ► For as much as you are manifestly declared to be the letter of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. It reveals a glory that is permanent (2 Corinthians 3:8–11). Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. 2 Corinthians 3:1, ESV: "Are we beginning to commend ourselves again?Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?" Compiled & Edited by BST & Crosswalk Staff, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Explanation and Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:18. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, (that holy, sanctifying Spirit, which is often called the Spirit of Christ), Their hearts were humbled and softened to receive this impression, by the new-creating power of the Holy Spirit. The false teachers said that he was not a special person. The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, emotions, and will. 2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, (NASB: Lockman). Instead, he seemed only to oppose them by letter when he was away. 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. Paul, as conscious of his deserts in regard to the Corinthians as he is faithful to his Christian humility (see 2 Corinthians 3:3 ), gives a skilful explanation of the thought contained in 2 Corinthians 3:1 : we need no letters of introduction either to you or from yo. Commentary for 2 Corinthians 3 . 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. 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. (NASB: Lockman)Greek: hemeis de pantes anakekalummeno prosopo ten doxan kuriou katoptrizomenoi ten auten eikona metamorphoumetha apo doxes eis doxan, kathaper apo kuriou pneumatos. Study the bible online using commentary on 2 Corinthians 3 and more! 2 Corinthians 3:4,5 the efficacy of which he ascribeth entirely to God. The law of Christ was written in their hearts, and the love of Christ shed abroad there. 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. (2 Corinthians 3 Clarke Commentary) Heart (kardia [word study]) does not refer to the physical organ but is always used figuratively in Scripture to refer to the seat and center of human life. 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. He is changing them; he is making their character and attitudes like his own. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. (Compare They said that they had great *visions (2 Corinthians 5:13). Compare 2 Corinthians 3:2, "As ye are our Epistle written in our hearts," so Christ has in the first instance made you "His Epistle written with the Spirit in (on) your hearts." Paul's definition and defense of the ministry and true ministers of God in 2 Corinthians 3-6 is especially noteworthy, as is his discussion of the Christian grace of giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9. (12-18)1-11 Even the appearance of self-praise and courting human applause, is painful to the humble and spiritual mind. When any person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is taken away. 3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? He did not oppose them when he was present in Corinth. Or do we need, () as some do, () letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 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, Ezekiel 36:26. Even the appearance of self-praise and courting human applause, is painful to the humble and spiritual mind. As a minister of the old covenant, Moses had to cover his face with a veil in order to protect the sinful Israelites from seeing the glory of God. (1-11) The preaching of the apostle was suitable to the excellency and evidence of the gospel, through the power of the Holy Ghost. © 2020 Christianity.com. 2 Corinthians 3 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, written in 1891 for the novice student, contains aids to help understand every verse. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. Study 2 Corinthians 3 using Wesley’s Explanatory Notes to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning. of All rights reserved. Greek: ouch hoti aph' heauton hikanoi esmen (1PPAI) logisasthai (AMN) ti os ex heauton, all' e hikanotes hemon ek tou theou,. Because of the great work of the Holy Spirit in us through the new covenant, we have a bold, liberated relationship with God. 1 Corinthians 3 – Carnal Christians and Godly Ministers A. Carnality in the Corinthian church. Read 2 Corinthians 3 commentary using John Gill's Exposition of the Bible. They had travelled far to get to Corinth (2 Corinthians 10:13-18). He ascribes all the glory to God. Study 2 Corinthians 3 using Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete) to better understand Scripture with full outline and verse meaning. 3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Christians should prize and improve these privileges. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. He is building on what he wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:12: We use great boldness of speech. I bear on my heart, as a testimony to all men, that which Christ has by His Spirit written in your heart [ALFORD]. That is a very wonderful thing - but especially for people, who formerly were evil and enemies of God*. Salem Media Group. 1. Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the New Testament. All Rights Reserved. What does 2 Corinthians 3:17 mean? The Old Testament believers had only cloudy and passing glimpses of that glorious Saviour, and unbelievers looked no further than to the outward institution. Read full chapter