This chapter 2 Corinthians 3 is closely connected in its design with the preceding. Paul had said in that chapter 2 Corinthians 2:14, that he had always occasion to triumph in the success which he had, and that God always blessed his labors; and especially had spoken, in the close of the previous ch... [ Continue Reading ]
DO WE BEGIN AGAIN - This is designed evidently to meet an objection. He had been speaking of his triumph in the ministry 2 Corinthians 2:14, and of his sincerity and honesty, as contrasted with the conduct of many who corrupted the Word of God, 2 Corinthians 2:17. It might be objected that he was ma... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE OUR EPISTLE - compare 1 Corinthians 9:2. This is a most beautiful and happy turn given to the whole subject. The sense is plain. It is, that the conversion of the Corinthians, under the faithful labors of the apostle, was a better testimonial of his character and fidelity than any letters cou... [ Continue Reading ]
FORASMUCH AS YE ARE MANIFESTLY DECLARED - You are made manifest as the epistle of Christ; or you, being made manifest, are the epistle, etc. They had been made manifest to be such by their conversion. The sense is, it is plain, or evident, that ye are the epistle of Christ. TO BE THE EPISTLE OF CHR... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SUCH TRUST HAVE WE - Such confidence have we that we are appointed by God, and that he accepts our work. Such evidence have we in the success of our labors; such irrefragable proof that God blesses us; that we have trust, or confidence, that we are sent by God, and are owned by him in our minist... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT THAT WE ARE SUFFICIENT OF OURSELVES - This is evidently designed to guard against the appearance of boasting, or of self-confidence. He had spoken of his confidence; of his triumph; of his success; of his undoubted evidence that God had sent him. He here says, that he did not mean to be understo... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO ALSO HATH MADE US ABLE MINISTERS ... - This translation does not quite meet the force of the original. It would seem to imply that Paul regarded himself and his fellowlaborers as people of talents, and of signal ability; and that he was inclined to boast of it. But this is not the meaning. It re... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THE MINISTRATION OF DEATH - In the previous verses, Paul had referred incidentally to the institutions of Moses, and to the superiority of the gospel. He had said that the former were engraved on stones, but the latter on the heart 2 Corinthians 3:3; that the letter of the former tended to de... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW SHALL NOT THE MINISTRATION OF THE SPIRIT - This is an argument from the less to the greater. Several things in it are worthy of notice: (1) The proper contrast to the “ministration of death” 2 Corinthians 3:7, would have been ‘ministration of life.’ But Paul chose rather to call it the ‘ministr... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF THE MINISTRATION OF CONDEMNATION - Of Moses in giving the Law, the effect of which is to produce condemnation. Law condemns the guilty; it does not save them. It denounces punishment; it contains no provisions of pardon. To pardon is to depart from the Law; and must be done under the operatio... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR EVEN THAT WHICH WAS MADE GLORIOUS - (τὸ δεδοξασμένον to dedoxasmenon). That was splendid, excellent, or glorious. This refers doubtless, to the laws and institutions of Moses, especially to the primary giving of the Law. Paul does not deny that it had an honor and majesty such, in some respect... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF THAT WHICH IS DONE AWAY ... - The splendor that attended the giving of the Law; the bright shining of the face of Moses; and the ritual institutions of his religion. It was to be done away. It was never designed to be permanent. Everything in it had a transient existence, and was so designed.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEING THEN THAT WE HAVE SUCH HOPE - Hope properly is a compound emotion, made up of a desire for an object, and an expectation of obtaining it. If there is no desire for it; or if the object is not pleasant and agreeable, there is no hope, though there may be expectation - as in the expectation of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOT AS MOSES - Our conduct is not like that of Moses. We make no attempt to conceal anything in regard to the nature, design, and duration of the gospel. We leave nothing designedly in mystery. WHICH PUT A VAIL OVER HIS FACE - That is, when he came down from Mount Sinai, and when his face shone.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEIR MINDS WERE BLINDED - The word used here (πωρόω pōroō) means rather to harden; to make hard like stone; and then to make dull or stupid. It is applied to the heart, in Mark 6:52; Mark 8:17; to persons, in Romans 11:7; and to the eyes, in Job 17:7. Paul refers here to the fact that the un... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT EVEN UNTO THIS DAY - To the time when Paul wrote this Epistle, about 30 years after Christ was put to death. But it is still as true as it was in the time of Paul; and the character and conduct of the Jews now so entirely accords with the description which he gives of them in his time, as to sho... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS - This is not always to continue. The time is coming when they shall understand their own Scriptures, and see their true beauty. WHEN IT SHALL TURN TO THE LORD - When the Jewish people shall be converted. The word “it” here refers undoubtedly to “Israel” in 2 Corinthians 3:13; and the... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE ALL - All Christians. The discussion in the chapter has related mainly to the apostles; but this declaration seems evidently to refer to all Christians, as distinguished from the Jews. WITH OPEN FACE - compare note on 1 Corinthians 13:12. Tyndale renders this: “and now the Lord’s glory appea... [ Continue Reading ]