2Cor 3 | MHM | STEP | Apology for Seeming Self-Commendation In this section, Paul explains why he speaks about himself and his ministry to the Corinthians. Some people in Corinth doubted his authority and tried to damage his reputation. Paul makes it clear that he is not boasting for his own glory, but wants the church to understand his true relationship with them. He points to the changed lives of the believers as the best proof of his ministry’s value. v. 1 : Paul says he does not need to give the Corinthians letters of recommendation or receive them, like some false teachers do. The real evidence of his work is not in words or papers, but in the results of his ministry among them (2 Corinthians 3:1 ).

‏ 2 Corinthians 3

Apology for Seeming Self-Commendation

In this section, Paul explains why he speaks about himself and his ministry to the Corinthians. Some people in Corinth doubted his authority and tried to damage his reputation. Paul makes it clear that he is not boasting for his own glory, but wants the church to understand his true relationship with them. He points to the changed lives of the believers as the best proof of his ministry’s value.

v. 1: Paul says he does not need to give the Corinthians letters of recommendation or receive them, like some false teachers do. The real evidence of his work is not in words or papers, but in the results of his ministry among them (2 Corinthians 3:1 ^a).

v. 2: He tells them, “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men” (2 Corinthians 3:2 ^b). The Corinthians themselves, by their faith and changed lives, show that Paul is a true servant of God. Their transformation is the best recommendation he could ever have.

v. 3: Paul adds that they are actually “the epistle of Christ”, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. Their hearts are like tablets, not of stone but of flesh, made soft and new by God’s power (2 Corinthians 3:3; Ezekiel 36:26 ^c). Paul and other ministers are only instruments; Christ is the true author of this change.

v. 4: Paul says he has confidence in God through Christ about the Corinthians. This hope is not in himself, but in what God has done in their lives (2 Corinthians 3:4 ^d).

v. 5: He admits, “We are not sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God” (2 Corinthians 3:5 ^e). Paul cannot take the credit for the good in their lives. He says that all true ability and praise belong to God, not to people. God’s grace is what makes any Christian or minister effective.

Law and Gospel Compared

In this section, Paul compares the Old Testament law, given through Moses, and the New Testament gospel, brought by Jesus Christ. He explains how he and his fellow workers are ministers of the New Testament, showing why the gospel is greater than the law. Paul writes to answer the claims of false teachers who praised the law of Moses too much.

v. 6: Paul says that God made him and his coworkers “able ministers of the New Testament” (2 Corinthians 3:6 ^f). They do not serve by only teaching the written word—the “letter”—but also by bringing the Spirit of God. He explains that the letter kills, because the law by itself brings death. If we only follow the letter of the gospel, without the Spirit, it is not enough. But when the Spirit is present, the gospel gives spiritual and eternal life.

v. 7: Paul describes the Old Testament law as the ministration of death(2 Corinthians 3:7 ^g). The law points out sin and God’s anger against it. It shows us God above us and against us, but the gospel reveals grace and Emmanuel, meaning “God with us.” The gospel is more glorious than the law, even though the law also had glory. For example, Moses’s face shone with brightness after meeting with God and carrying the tablets of the law (see Exodus 34:29 ^h).

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v. 9: The law is called the ministration of condemnation, because it condemns and curses everyone who does not obey everything written in it. But the gospel is the ministration of righteousness(2 Corinthians 3:9 ⁱ). Through the gospel, God’s righteousness is revealed by faith, and we learn that the just shall live by faith(Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17 ^j). The gospel shows God’s mercy through Jesus Christ, offering forgiveness and eternal life. Its glory is so great that it makes the glory of the law seem small by comparison (2 Corinthians 3:10 ^k).

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v. 11: Paul says that the law has been set aside, but the gospel remains forever (2 Corinthians 3:11 ^l). Not only did the shining of Moses’s face fade, but the law itself was only meant to last for a time. Now it is finished, but the gospel will remain until the end of the world. The gospel is always fresh and glorious.

Superiority of the Gospel

In this section, Paul explains the results of the difference between the old law and the gospel. He says gospel ministers should speak clearly, and he describes the blessings of those who live under the gospel. Paul also compares the experience of the Israelites under the law with the experience of Christians under the gospel.

v. 12: Paul says that ministers of the gospel must use great boldness and clarity in their teaching. Unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face, they should not hide or confuse what God has revealed. The gospel is much clearer than the law. Through Jesus Christ, the true meaning of the Old Testament types and symbols is revealed. He is the one Moses and the prophets wrote about (Romans 10:4 ^m).

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v. 14: Paul explains that those who lived under the law had their minds blinded. A veilwas over their hearts, so they could not truly understand God’s message (2 Corinthians 3:14 ⁿ). This was especially true for those who did not accept Jesus after He came. But Paul says a time is coming when this veil will be taken away.

v. 15: Even today, when people read the law of Moses, a veil lies over their hearts if they do not believe in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:15 ^o). They cannot truly understand the scriptures.

v. 16: Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is removed (2 Corinthians 3:16 ^p). When a person is converted to God, ignorance and hardness of heart are taken away. They can now see and understand God’s truth.

v. 17: Paul says, Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty(2 Corinthians 3:17 ^q). Those who believe the gospel are free from the old ceremonial laws and from the power of sin. They have the freedom to come to God and to pray openly. Their hearts are set free to obey God’s commands with joy.

v. 18: Now, with unveiled faces, Christians can behold the glory of the Lord as in a mirror (2 Corinthians 3:18 ^r). Unlike the Israelites, who saw God’s glory in a dark cloud, Christians see His glory more clearly and with comfort. This light and freedom change believers. They are transformed to become more like Christ, moving from one level of glory to another. This transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit. Christians should value these blessings and seek to experience the gospel’s power to change their lives.