2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is that Spirit Literally the spirit, i.e. the spirit which was to replace the letter. The sense is as follows: -The Lord (of whom I have just spoken see last verse) is the spirit of which I have said (2 Corinthians 3:6) that it should be substituted for the letter." For the Lord, even Jesus Christ, is Himself that new power that higher inspiration through which man finds what he ought to do written, no longer in precepts external to himself, but in his own regenerate heart. The new birth of the Spirit is but the implanting in man the humanity of Jesus Christ. -The last Adam was made a life-giving spirit." 1 Corinthians 15:45. This expression like John 4:24, refers, not to the person, but to the essential natureof God, just as in John 6:63, the expression is applied even to the words of God, when they communicate to man essential principles of God's spiritual kingdom. Cf. also John 1:13; John 3:3; John 3:5; Romans 8:2; Romans 8:4. Other explanations of this most difficult passage have been given. (1) -The Spirit is the Lord," (Chrysostom); and he remarks on the order of the words in the Greek of John 4:24 in support of his translation. (2) -The Lord is identical with the Holy Spirit." (3) -The Lord with Whom Moses spoke is the Holy Spirit." (4) -The Lord is the Holy Ghost in so far as the Holy Ghost is the living principle of the indwelling of Christ." (5) -The Lord no dout is a sprete," Tyndale, whom Cranmer follows. It seems on the whole best to interpret the words as above. St Paul now boldly declares that the -spirit" of which he has spoken is nothing less than Christ Himself.

and where the Spirit of the Lord is Hitherto St Paul has been speaking of the Divine Natureof Him who transforms the heart of man. He now speaks of the personal agencythrough Whom that work is achieved. Christ does these things by His Spirit, who is also the Spirit of the Father. Romans 8:9. Cf. also Galatians 4:6; Philippians 1:19; 1 Peter 1:11, with John 14:16-17; John 14:26; Joh 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, &c. This interpretation involves no incongruity with the rest of the passage. The Three Persons in the Blessed Trinity are one in essence, and that essence is Spirit. But the personal agency whereby God works His purpose in man's heart is the Holy Spirit, as Scripture everywhere declares. See the passages cited above.

there is liberty Liberty not only to speak openly (2 Corinthians 3:12), but (2 Corinthians 3:18) to gaze with unveiled face upon the glory of God, and thus to learn how to fulfil the law of man's being. This liberty is the special privilege assured to man by the Gospel. See John 8:32; Romans 6:18; Romans 6:22; Romans 8:2; James 1:25; James 2:12; 1 Peter 2:16.