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2 Corinthians 3:8 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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8 How G4459 shall G1248 not G3780 the ministration G1248 of the spirit G4151 be G2071 rather G3123 G1722 glorious? G1391

Cross Reference

Jude 1:19-20 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

These G3778 be G1526 they who separate G592 themselves, G1438 sensual, G5591 having G2192 not G3361 the Spirit. G4151 But G1161 ye, G5210 beloved, G27 building up G2026 yourselves G1438 on your G5216 most holy G40 faith, G4102 praying G4336 in G1722 the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151

Galatians 5:22-23 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

But G1161 the fruit G2590 of the Spirit G4151 is G2076 love, G26 joy, G5479 peace, G1515 longsuffering, G3115 gentleness, G5544 goodness, G19 faith, G4102 Meekness, G4236 temperance: G1466 against G2596 such G5108 there is G2076 no G3756 law. G3551

Galatians 3:2-5 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

This G5124 only G3440 would G2309 I learn G3129 of G575 you, G5216 Received ye G2983 the Spirit G4151 by G1537 the works G2041 of the law, G3551 or G2228 by G1537 the hearing G189 of faith? G4102 Are ye G2075 so G3779 foolish? G453 having begun G1728 in the Spirit, G4151 are ye G2005 now G3568 made perfect G2005 by the flesh? G4561 Have ye suffered G3958 so many things G5118 in vain? G1500 if it be yet G1489 G2532 in vain. G1500 He therefore G3767 that ministereth G2023 to you G5213 the Spirit, G4151 and G2532 worketh G1754 miracles G1411 among G1722 you, G5213 doeth he it by G1537 the works G2041 of the law, G3551 or G2228 by G1537 the hearing G189 of faith? G4102

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 STRONG

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Now G1161 there are G1526 diversities G1243 of gifts, G5486 but G1161 the same G846 Spirit. G4151 And G2532 there are G1526 differences G1243 of administrations, G1248 but G2532 the same G846 Lord. G2962 And G2532 there are G1526 diversities G1243 of operations, G1755 but G1161 it is G2076 the same G846 God G2316 which G3588 worketh G1754 all G3956 in G1722 all. G3956 But G1161 the manifestation G5321 of the Spirit G4151 is given G1325 to every man G1538 to G4314 profit withal. G4851 For G1063 to one G3739 G3303 is given G1325 by G1223 the Spirit G4151 the word G3056 of wisdom; G4678 G1161 to another G243 the word G3056 of knowledge G1108 by G2596 the same G846 Spirit; G4151 G1161 To another G2087 faith G4102 by G1722 the same G846 Spirit; G4151 G1161 to another G243 the gifts G5486 of healing G2386 by G1722 the same G846 Spirit; G4151 G1161 To another G243 the working G1755 of miracles; G1411 G1161 to another G243 prophecy; G4394 G1161 to another G243 discerning G1253 of spirits; G4151 G1161 to another G2087 divers kinds G1085 of tongues; G1100 G1161 to another G243 the interpretation G2058 of tongues: G1100 But G1161 all G3956 these G5023 worketh G1754 that one G1520 and G2532 the selfsame G846 Spirit, G4151 dividing G1244 to every man G1538 severally G2398 as G2531 he will. G1014

Romans 8:9-16 STRONG

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But G1161 ye G5210 are G2075 not G3756 in G1722 the flesh, G4561 but G235 in G1722 the Spirit, G4151 if so be G1512 that the Spirit G4151 of God G2316 dwell G3611 in G1722 you. G5213 Now G1161 if any man G1536 have G2192 not G3756 the Spirit G4151 of Christ, G5547 he G3778 is G2076 none G3756 of his. G846 And G1161 if G1487 Christ G5547 be in G1722 you, G5213 the body G4983 G3303 is dead G3498 because G1223 of sin; G266 but G1161 the Spirit G4151 is life G2222 because G1223 of righteousness. G1343 But G1161 if G1487 the Spirit G4151 of him that raised up G1453 Jesus G2424 from G1537 the dead G3498 dwell G3611 in G1722 you, G5213 he that raised up G1453 Christ G5547 from G1537 the dead G3498 shall G2227 also G2532 quicken G2227 your G5216 mortal G2349 bodies G4983 by G1223 his G846 Spirit G4151 that dwelleth G1774 G1774 in G1722 you. G5213 Therefore, G686 G3767 brethren, G80 we are G2070 debtors, G3781 not G3756 to the flesh, G4561 to live G2198 after G2596 the flesh. G4561 For G1063 if G1487 ye live G2198 after G2596 the flesh, G4561 ye shall G3195 die: G599 but G1161 if G1487 ye G2289 through the Spirit G4151 do mortify G2289 the deeds G4234 of the body, G4983 ye shall live. G2198 For G1063 as many as G3745 are led G71 by the Spirit G4151 of God, G2316 they G3778 are G1526 the sons G5207 of God. G2316 For G1063 ye have G2983 not G3756 received G2983 the spirit G4151 of bondage G1397 again G3825 to G1519 fear; G5401 but G235 ye have received G2983 the Spirit G4151 of adoption, G5206 whereby G1722 G3739 we cry, G2896 Abba, G5 Father. G3962 The Spirit G4151 itself G846 beareth witness G4828 with our G2257 spirit, G4151 that G3754 we are G2070 the children G5043 of God: G2316

Acts 2:32-33 STRONG

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This G5126 Jesus G2424 hath G450 God G2316 raised up, G450 whereof G3739 we G2249 all G3956 are G2070 witnesses. G3144 Therefore G3767 being G5312 by the right hand G1188 of God G2316 exalted, G5312 and G5037 having received G2983 of G3844 the Father G3962 the promise G1860 of the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 he hath shed forth G1632 this, G5124 which G3739 ye G5210 now G3568 see G991 and G2532 hear. G191

Acts 2:17-18 STRONG

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And G2532 it shall come to pass G2071 in G1722 the last G2078 days, G2250 saith G3004 God, G2316 I will pour out G1632 of G575 my G3450 Spirit G4151 upon G1909 all G3956 flesh: G4561 and G2532 your G5216 sons G5207 and G2532 your G5216 daughters G2364 shall prophesy, G4395 and G2532 your G5216 young men G3495 shall see G3700 visions, G3706 and G2532 your G5216 old men G4245 shall dream G1798 dreams: G1797 And G2532 G1065 on G1909 my G3450 servants G1401 and G2532 on G1909 my G3450 handmaidens G1399 I will pour out G1632 in G1722 those G1565 days G2250 of G575 my G3450 Spirit; G4151 and G2532 they shall prophesy: G4395

Joel 2:28-29 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And it shall come to pass afterward, H310 that I will pour out H8210 my spirit H7307 upon all flesh; H1320 and your sons H1121 and your daughters H1323 shall prophesy, H5012 your old men H2205 shall dream H2492 dreams, H2472 your young men H970 shall see H7200 visions: H2384 And also upon the servants H5650 and upon the handmaids H8198 in those days H3117 will I pour out H8210 my spirit. H7307

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 3

The apostle makes an apology for his seeming to commend himself, and is careful not to assume too much to himself, but to ascribe all praise unto God (v. 1-5). He then draws a comparison between the Old Testament and the New, and shows the excellency of the later above the former (v. 6-11), whence he infers what is the duty of gospel ministers, and the advantage of those who live under the gospel above those who lived under the law (v. 12-18).

2Cr 3:1-5

In these verses,

  • I. The apostle makes an apology for seeming to commend himself. He thought it convenient to protest his sincerity to them, because there were some at Corinth who endeavoured to blast his reputation; yet he was not desirous of vain-glory. And he tells them,
    • 1. That he neither needed nor desired any verbal commendation to them, nor letters testimonial from them, as some others did, meaning the false apostles or teachers, v. 1. His ministry among them had, without controversy, been truly great and honourable, how little soever his person was in reality, or how contemptible soever some would have him thought to be.
    • 2. The Corinthians themselves were his real commendation, and a good testimonial for him, that God was with him of a truth, that he was sent of God: You are our epistle, v. 2. This was the testimonial he most delighted in, and what was most dear to him-they were written in his heart; and this he could appeal to upon occasion, for it was, or might be, known and read of all men. Note, There is nothing more delightful to faithful ministers, nor more to their commendation, than the success of their ministry, evidenced in the hearts and lives of those among whom they labour.
  • II. The apostle is careful not to assume too much to himself, but to ascribe all the praise to God. Therefore,
    • 1. He says they were the epistle of Christ, v. 3. The apostle and others were but instruments, Christ was the author of all the good that was in them. The law of Christ was written in their hearts, and the love of Christ shed abroad in their hearts. This epistle was not written with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; nor was it written in tables of stone, as the law of God given to Moses, but on the heart; and that heart not a stony one, but a heart of flesh, upon the fleshy (not fleshly, as fleshliness denotes sensuality) tables of the heart, that is, upon hearts that are softened and renewed by divine grace, according to that gracious promise, I will take away the stony heart, and I will give you a heart of flesh, Eze. 36:26. This was the good hope the apostle had concerning these Corinthians (v. 4) that their hearts were like the ark of the covenant, containing the tables of the law and the gospel, written with the finger, that is, by the Spirit, of the living God.
    • 2. He utterly disclaims the taking of any praise to themselves, and ascribes all the glory to God: "We are not sufficient of ourselves, v. 5. We could never have made such good impressions on your hearts, nor upon our own. Such are our weakness and inability that we cannot of ourselves think a good thought, much less raise any good thoughts or affections in other men. All our sufficiency is of God; to him therefore are owing all the praise and glory of that good which is done, and from him we must receive grace and strength to do more.' This is true concerning ministers and all Christians; the best are no more than what the grace of God makes them. Our hands are not sufficient for us, but our sufficiency is of God; and his grace is sufficient for us, to furnish us for every good word and work.

2Cr 3:6-11

Here the apostle makes a comparison between the Old Testament and the New, the law of Moses and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and values himself and his fellow-labourers by this, that they were able ministers of the New Testament, that God had made them so, v. 6. This he does in answer to the accusations of false teachers, who magnify greatly the law of Moses.

  • I. He distinguishes between the letter and the spirit even of the New Testament, v. 6. As able ministers of the New Testament, they were ministers not merely of the letter, to read the written word, or to preach the letter of the gospel only, but they were ministers of the Spirit also; the Spirit of God did accompany their ministrations. The letter killeth; this the letter of the law does, for that is the ministration of death; and if we rest only in the letter of the gospel we shall be never the better for so doing, for even that will be a savour of death unto death; but the Spirit of the gospel, going along with the ministry of the gospel, giveth life spiritual and life eternal.
  • II. He shows the difference between the Old Testament and the New, and the excellency of the gospel above the law. For,
    • 1. The Old-Testament dispensation was the ministration of death (v. 7), whereas that of the New Testament is the ministration of life. The law discovered sin, and the wrath and curse of God. This showed us a God above us and a God against us; but the gospel discovers grace, and Emmanuel, God with us. Upon this account the gospel is more glorious than the law; and yet that had a glory in it, witness the shining of Moses's face (an indication thereof) when he came down from the mount with the tables in his hand, that reflected rays of brightness upon his countenance.
    • 2. The law was the ministration of condemnation, for that condemned and cursed every one who continued not in all things written therein to do them; but the gospel is the ministration of righteousness: therein the righteousness of God by faith is revealed. This shows us that the just shall live by his faith. This reveals the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ, for obtaining the remission of sins and eternal life. The gospel therefore so much exceeds in glory that in a manner it eclipses the glory of the legal dispensation, v. 10. As the shining of a burning lamp is lost, or not regarded, when the sun arises and goes forth in his strength; so there was no glory in the Old Testament, in comparison with that of the New.
    • 3. The law is done away, but the gospel does and shall remain, v. 11. Not only did the glory of Moses's face go away, but the glory of Moses's law is done away also; yea, the law of Moses itself is now abolished. That dispensation was only to continue for a time, and then to vanish away; whereas the gospel shall remain to the end of the world, and is always fresh and flourishing and remains glorious.

2Cr 3:12-18

In these verses the apostle draws two inferences from what he had said about the Old and New Testament:-

  • I. Concerning the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness or clearness of speech. They ought not, like Moses, to put a veil upon their faces, or obscure and darken those things which they should make plain. The gospel is a more clear dispensation than the law; the things of God are revealed in the New Testament, not in types and shadows, and ministers are much to blame if they do not set spiritual things, and gospel-truth and grace, in the clearest light that is possible. Though the Israelites could not look stedfastly to the end of what was commanded, but is now abolished, yet we may. We may see the meaning of those types and shadows by the accomplishment, seeing the veil is done away in, Christ and he is come, who was the end of the law for righteousness to all those who believe, and whom Moses and all the prophets pointed to, and wrote of.
  • II. Concerning the privilege and advantage of those who enjoy the gospel, above those who lived under the law. For,
    • 1. Those who lived under the legal dispensation had their minds blinded (v. 14), and there was a veil upon their hearts, v. 15. Thus it was formerly, and so it was especially as to those who remained in Judaism after the coming of the Messiah and the publication of his gospel. Nevertheless, the apostle tells us, there is a time coming when this veil also shall be taken away, and when it (the body of that people) shall turn to the Lord, v. 16. Or, when any particular person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is taken away; the blindness of the mind, and the hardness of the heart, are cured.
    • 2. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is much more happy. For,
      • (1.) They have liberty: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, and where he worketh, as he does under the gospel-dispensation, there is liberty (v. 17), freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and from the servitude of corruption; liberty of access to God, and freedom of speech in prayer. The heart is set at liberty, and enlarged, to run the ways of God's commandments.
      • (2.) They have light; for with open face we behold the glory of the Lord, v. 18. The Israelites saw the glory of God in a cloud, which was dark and dreadful; but Christians see the glory of the Lord as in a glass, more clearly and comfortably. It was the peculiar privilege of Moses for God to converse with him face to face, in a friendly manner; but now all true Christians see him more clearly with open face. He showeth them his glory.
      • (3.) This light and liberty are transforming; we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory (v. 18), from one degree of glorious grace unto another, till grace here be consummated in glory for ever. How much therefore should Christians prize and improve these privileges! We should not rest contented without an experimental knowledge of the transforming power of the gospel, by the operation of the Spirit, bringing us into a conformity to the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.