2 Corinthians 3:17

But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. Parenthetical: of Christians in general. He resumes the ministry (2 Corinthians 4:1). Verse 14. MINDS, [ noeemata (G3540)] - 'mental perceptions;' 'understandings.' BLINDED - rather [ epooroothee (G4456)] 'hardened:' the opposite to 'looking stedfastly at the end' of the law (2 Corinthians 3:13). The veil on Moses' face (answering to the mere letter) is further typical of the veil that is on their hearts...

17._The Lord is the Spirit. _This passage, also, has been misinterpreted, as if Paul had meant to say, that Christ is of a spiritual essence, for they connect it with that statement in John 4:24, _God is a Spirit_. The statement before us, however, has nothing to do with Christ’s essence, but simply points out his office, for it is connected with what goes before, where we found it stated, that the doctrine of the law is literal, and not merely dead, but even an occasion of death. He now, on the other hand, calls _Christ its spirit_, (411) meaning by this, that it will be living and life-giving, only if it is breathed into by Christ. Let the soul be connected with the body, and then there is a living man, endowed with intelligence and perception, fit for all vital functions. (412) Let the soul be removed

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 imp...

Verse 17. _NOW THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT_] In 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 3:8, the word το πνευμα, _spirit_, evidently signifies the Gospel; so called because it points out the _spiritual nature_ and _meaning_ of the _law_; because it produces spiritual effects; and because it is especially the dispensation of the Spirit of God. Here Jesus Christ is represented as that _Spirit_, because he is the _end_ of the _law_ for justification to every one _that believes_; and because the residue of the Spirit is with him, and he is the dispenser of all its gifts, graces, and influences. _AND WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS_] Wherever this Gospel is received, there the Spirit of the Lord is given; and wherever that Spirit

NOW THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT - The word “Lord” here evidently refers to the Lord Jesus; see 2 Corinthians 3:16. It may be observed in general in regard to this word, that where it occurs in the New Testament unless the connection require us to understand it of God, it refers to the Lord Jesus. It was the common name by which he was known; see John 20:13; John 21:7, John 21:12; Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:5. The design of Paul in this verse seems

EXPOSITION Defence against the charge of self-recommendation, which St. Paul does not need (2 Corinthians 3:1). His sufficiency comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:4), who has made him minister of a covenant far more glorious than that given to Hosea (verses 7-11). This ministry needs no veil upon the face (verses 12, 13), such as to this day darkens the hearts of the Jews (verses 14, 15), though it shall one day be removed (verses 16-18). 2 CORINTHIANS 3:1 _St. Paul's ministry is his sufficient letter of commendation. _ 2 Corinthians 3:1

NOW THE LORD IS THAT SPIRIT,.... "The Lord", to whom the heart is turned, when the veil is removed, is Jesus Christ; and he is "that Spirit", or "the Spirit": he, as God, is of a spiritual nature and essence; he is a spirit, as God is said to be, John 4:24 he is the giver of the Spirit of God, and the very life and spirit of the law, without whom as the end of it, it is a mere dead letter: or rather as by Moses in 2 Corinthians 3:15 is meant, the law of Moses, so by the "Lord" here may be meant the Gospel of Christ: and this is that Spirit, of which the apostles were made ministers, and is said to give life, 2 Corinthians 3:6. AND WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS, THERE IS LIBERTY; which may

2 CORINTHIANS 3:17 evleuqeri,a In order to provide a correlative for ou- the Textus Receptus, following ac Db, c F G K L P Y most minuscules itd, g vg syrh copsa goth arm eth, inserts evkei/ before evleuqeri,a. The shorter reading is decisively supported by î46 a* A B C D* 33 424c 1912 itr syrp copbo; furthermore, the use of evkei/ to balance ou- is apparently not in Paul’s style (cf....

4. THE MINISTRY OF THE NEW COVENANT IN CONTRAST WITH THE OLD. CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The Epistle of Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:1)_ 2. The True Sufficiency. (2 Corinthians 3:4) 3. The Old and New Ministry Contrasted. (2 Corinthians 3:7) 4. The Glory in the Face of Moses and the Glory in the Face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:12 .) It was customary in the church to give letters of commendation (Acts 18:27; Rom

2 Corinthians 3:17 F. In 2 Corinthians 3:17 he explains the deep reasons why turning to the Lord is followed by the removal of the veil, and in so doing gives utterance to a statement of the greatest importance for his Christology, the Lord is the Spirit. For here, as elsewhere with few exceptions, the Lord is Christ. It is the heavenly Christ whom he recognises as the Spirit. Their influence is the same. He who turns to the One turns to the Other. And where the Spirit is there is liberty (from the Law). The hindering veil is removed. And so, because Christians are men who have turned to Christ, there is no such veil upon their hearts or upon their revelation of God. They reflect the glory of the Lord Christ undimmed. Nay, more, in reflecting it they undergo a continuous change within