3:1 beginning to commend ourselves again In 2:17, Paul reminded the Corinthians about the sincerity of his ministry. He does not, however, want them to misinterpret this reminder as self-commendation—boasting about his achievements to impress others and establish credibility. The Corinthians may have accused Paul of doing so since he addresses this issue throughout the letter (4:2; 5:12; 6:4; 10:12, 18; 12:11). He claims that only false apostles engage in such self-commendation (11:2–3).

letters of recommendation In Paul’s time, itinerant ministers used letters of recommendation to establish their legitimacy and authority. The apostles of Jerusalem sent Paul and Barnabas to Antioch with a letter of recommendation (Acts 15:22–31). Paul includes a letter of recommendation for Titus and two other unnamed men who deliver this letter to the Corinthian church (see note on 2 Cor 8:16–24).

3:2 You are our letter The Corinthians should realize their existence as a church is the result of Paul’s apostolic ministry. In this sense, they serve as Paul’s letter of recommendation, testifying to the legitimacy of his apostleship (compare 1 Cor 9:1–2).

3:3 letter of Christ The Spirit’s transforming work and indwelling presence among the Corinthians function as a recommendation from Christ. See note on 2 Cor 3:1.

tablets of human hearts Paul contrasts the stone tablets, a reference to the law of Moses (Exod 24:12), with the new covenant promised by Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jer 31:33; Ezek 11:20). Christ did away with the old covenant of the law (2 Cor 3:14) and brought in the new covenant with freedom (vv. 15–18). The coming of the Spirit is evidence of this new covenant and legitimizes Paul as a minister of the new covenant.

3:5 our adequacy is from God Paul answers a question he asked in 2:16. He points to God as the source of his qualifications; his confidence (v. 4) does not come from his own abilities, but from the power of God (1 Cor 2:1–5).

3:6 of a new covenant See note on 2 Cor 3:3.

the letter kills This is a reference to the law of Moses (compare Rom 2:27; 7:6). The law does not justify people; it only identifies sin and condemns (see Rom 3:20; 8:2). Instead, people are justified by faith (see Rom 3:28 and note).

3:7 ministry of death Paul contrasts his ministry with the ministry of Moses. The law, as given by Moses, only brings death and condemnation (compare note on 2 Cor 3:6). In contrast to God’s Spirit, the law was not capable of giving life (Rom 8:3; Gal 3:21).

glory The Greek word used here, doxa, refers to the splendor of God’s manifest presence. See note on Rom 1:23.

The Glory of God in Paul’s Letters

Doxa Word Study

face of Moses Even though Moses’ ministry of the law was a ministry of death and condemnation, it was still accompanied by the glory of God. While God’s glory made Moses’ face radiant (Exod 34:29–35), that glory did not last.

3:8 ministry of the Spirit Refers to the ministry that imparts the Holy Spirit (pneuma in Greek) and stands in contrast to the ministry of death described in 2 Cor 3:7. The glory of this ministry is greater and longer lasting because of the Spirit’s presence within the believer (1 Cor 3:16; 6:19).

Pneuma Word Study

3:9 ministry of righteousness This ministry provides right standing before God. It not only removes the guilt of sin, it also empowers the believer to do what is right (compare 2 Cor 3:7 and note).

overflow with glory If the old covenant, which was characterized by death and condemnation, came with glory (see v. 7 and note), how much more does the new covenant, which is characterized by the Spirit and righteousness, reveal God’s glory?

3:10 had been glorified Refers to the law of Moses or the old covenant (Exod 34:29). Although God’s splendor shone on the face of Moses, it cannot compare to the splendor of the new covenant. The glory of the new covenant exceeds the glory of the old covenant.

3:12 boldness Paul bases the boldness of his apostolic ministry in the permanence of the new covenant (2 Cor 3:11) and the hope it provides in the resurrection of Jesus (4:13–18).

3:13 place a veil over his face Refers to Exodus 34:33–35. The veil covered the radiance of the glory, but it also concealed its fading quality. The transitory nature of the glory corresponds to the transitory nature of the old covenant.

3:14 minds were hardened Represents God’s judgment. He hardens the minds and hearts of those who suppress His truth and revelation (Exod 32:9; 33:3; 34:9; compare Rom 1:28).

until this very day Many Israelites rejected God’s word in the law and the prophets (e.g., Isa 6:9–10; Jer 5:21–24; compare Rom 11:7–8, 25). Paul encountered opposition from Jews who denied the gospel message as the fulfillment of the old covenant. He concluded that their hearts were hardened (see Acts 28:26–27; Rom 15:21).

reading of the old covenant Jews typically heard the Law read every week in the local synagogue (see Luke 4:16–17; Acts 13:27; 15:21; 17:2–3).

3:15 Moses is read aloud Refers to the law that God gave to Moses (Exod 24:12).

a veil Moses covered his face with a veil because of the radiance of God’s glory (Exod 34:33–34). This veil represents the Jews’ hardened hearts and their inability to grasp the gospel message and refusal to obey God.

3:16 one turns to the Lord Refers to conversion and the reception of the Spirit.

veil is removed Signifies that nothing stands between believers and God. Through Christ, God has reconciled the world to Himself, bringing freedom and forgiveness (2 Cor 5:18–21).

3:17 the Lord is the Spirit Paul may be identifying Christ with the Spirit—particularly in terms of their roles—while also distinguishing between them. Jesus and the Spirit are elsewhere identified with each other (e.g., Rom 8:9; Phil 1:19; 1 Pet 1:10–11). It also is possible that 2 Cor 3:17 clarifies v. 16, where “the Lord” refers to God the Father. In this case, Paul’s point is that the Lord of the ot narrative mentioned in v. 16 (Exod 34:34) is the Spirit of God (2 Cor 3:3, 6, 8). Either way, the Spirit’s role in lifting the veil is central to Paul’s message.

freedom The ministry of the Spirit (v. 8) brings freedom from the power of sin and death—those things that the law could not free people from. See v. 6 and note.

3:18 unveiled face Represents freedom and confidence to enjoy God’s presence.

the same image Refers to the image of Christ that believers bear (Col 3:10; compare Gen 1:26–27).

Jesus as the Image of God

from glory into glory Paul suggests that believers will progress through ever-greater degrees of glory (doxa in Greek). This may mean that they will learn and grow more in their relationship with Him over time. Alternatively, this progress may begin with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and culminate in the transformation of the physical body into a glorious one (1 Cor 15:50–54).

Doxa Word Study

the Spirit See 2 Cor 3:17.