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2 Corinthians 3:9 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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9 For G1063 if G1487 the ministration G1248 of condemnation G2633 be glory, G1391 much G4183 more G3123 doth the ministration G1248 of righteousness G1343 exceed G4052 in G1722 glory. G1391

Cross Reference

Hebrews 12:18-21 STRONG

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For G1063 ye are G4334 not G3756 come G4334 unto the mount G3735 that might be touched, G5584 and G2532 that burned G2545 with fire, G4442 nor G2532 unto blackness, G1105 and G2532 darkness, G4655 and G2532 tempest, G2366 And G2532 the sound G2279 of a trumpet, G4536 and G2532 the voice G5456 of words; G4487 which G3739 voice they that heard G191 intreated G3868 that the word G3056 should G4369 not G3361 be spoken G4369 to them G846 any more: G3361 (For G1063 they could G5342 not G3756 endure G5342 that which was commanded, G1291 And if so much as G2579 a beast G2342 touch G2345 the mountain, G3735 it shall be stoned, G3036 or G2228 thrust through G2700 with a dart: G1002 And G2532 so G3779 terrible G5398 was G2258 the sight, G5324 that Moses G3475 said, G2036 I exceedingly fear G1630 G1510 and G2532 quake:) G1790

Romans 3:21-22 STRONG

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But G1161 now G3570 the righteousness G1343 of God G2316 without G5565 the law G3551 is manifested, G5319 being witnessed G3140 by G5259 the law G3551 and G2532 the prophets; G4396 Even G1161 the righteousness G1343 of God G2316 which is by G1223 faith G4102 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 unto G1519 all G3956 and G2532 upon G1909 all G3956 them that believe: G4100 for G1063 there is G2076 no G3756 difference: G1293

Hebrews 3:5-6 STRONG

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And G2532 Moses G3475 verily G3303 was faithful G4103 in G1722 all G3650 his G846 house, G3624 as G5613 a servant, G2324 for G1519 a testimony G3142 of those things which were to be spoken after; G2980 But G1161 Christ G5547 as G5613 a son G5207 over G1909 his own G846 house; G3624 whose G3739 house G3624 are G2070 we, G2249 if G1437 G4007 we hold fast G2722 the confidence G3954 and G2532 the rejoicing G2745 of the hope G1680 firm G949 unto G3360 the end. G5056

Galatians 5:4-5 STRONG

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Christ G5547 is become of no effect unto you, G575 G2673 whosoever of you G3748 are justified G1344 by G1722 the law; G3551 ye are fallen from G1601 grace. G5485 For G1063 we G2249 through the Spirit G4151 wait for G553 the hope G1680 of righteousness G1343 by G1537 faith. G4102

2 Corinthians 3:10-11 STRONG

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For G1063 even G2532 that which was made glorious G1392 had no G3761 glory G1392 in G1722 this G5129 respect, G3313 by reason G1752 of the glory G1391 that excelleth. G5235 For G1063 if G1487 that which is done away G2673 was glorious, G1223 G1391 much G4183 more G3123 that which remaineth G3306 is glorious. G1722 G1391

2 Corinthians 3:6-7 STRONG

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Who G3739 also G2532 hath made G2427 us G2248 able G2427 ministers G1249 of the new G2537 testament; G1242 not G3756 of the letter, G1121 but G235 of the spirit: G4151 for G1063 the letter G1121 killeth, G615 but G1161 the spirit G4151 giveth life. G2227 But G1161 if G1487 the ministration G1248 of death, G2288 written G1722 G1121 and engraven G1795 in G1722 stones, G3037 was G1096 glorious, G1722 G1391 so G5620 that the children G5207 of Israel G2474 could G1410 not G3361 stedfastly behold G816 the face G1519 G4383 of Moses G3475 for G1223 the glory G1391 of his G846 countenance; G4383 which G3588 glory was to be done away: G2673

Exodus 19:12-19 STRONG

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And thou shalt set bounds H1379 unto the people H5971 round about, H5439 saying, H559 Take heed H8104 to yourselves, that ye go not up H5927 into the mount, H2022 or touch H5060 the border H7097 of it: whosoever toucheth H5060 the mount H2022 shall be surely H4191 put to death: H4191 There shall not an hand H3027 touch H5060 it, but he shall surely H5619 be stoned, H5619 or H176 shot H3384 through; H3384 whether it be beast H929 or H518 man, H376 it shall not live: H2421 when the trumpet H3104 soundeth long, H4900 they shall come up H5927 to the mount. H2022 And Moses H4872 went down H3381 from the mount H2022 unto the people, H5971 and sanctified H6942 the people; H5971 and they washed H3526 their clothes. H8071 And he said H559 unto the people, H5971 Be H1961 ready H3559 against the third H7969 day: H3117 come H5066 not at your wives. H802 And it came to pass on the third H7992 day H3117 in the morning, H1242 that there were thunders H6963 and lightnings, H1300 and a thick H3515 cloud H6051 upon the mount, H2022 and the voice H6963 of the trumpet H7782 exceeding H3966 loud; H2389 so that all the people H5971 that was in the camp H4264 trembled. H2729 And Moses H4872 brought forth H3318 the people H5971 out of the camp H4264 to meet H7125 with God; H430 and they stood H3320 at the nether H8482 part of the mount. H2022 And mount H2022 Sinai H5514 was altogether on a smoke, H6225 because H6440 H834 the LORD H3068 descended H3381 upon it in fire: H784 and the smoke H6227 thereof ascended H5927 as the smoke H6227 of a furnace, H3536 and the whole mount H2022 quaked H2729 greatly. H3966 And when the voice H6963 of the trumpet H7782 sounded H6963 long, H1980 and waxed louder H2390 and louder, H3966 Moses H4872 spake, H1696 and God H430 answered H6030 him by a voice. H6963

Romans 10:3-10 STRONG

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For G1063 they being ignorant G50 of God's G2316 righteousness, G1343 and G2532 going about G2212 to establish G2476 their own G2398 righteousness, G1343 have G5293 not G3756 submitted themselves G5293 unto the righteousness G1343 of God. G2316 For G1063 Christ G5547 is the end G5056 of the law G3551 for G1519 righteousness G1343 to every one G3956 that believeth. G4100 For G1063 Moses G3475 describeth G1125 the righteousness G1343 which G3588 is of G1537 the law, G3551 That G3754 the man G444 which doeth G4160 those things G846 shall live G2198 by G1722 them. G846 But G1161 the righteousness G1343 which is of G1537 faith G4102 speaketh G3004 on this wise, G3779 Say G2036 not G3361 in G1722 thine G4675 heart, G2588 Who G5101 shall ascend G305 into G1519 heaven? G3772 (that is, G5123 to bring G2609 Christ G5547 down G2609 from above:) Or, G2228 Who G5101 shall descend G2597 into G1519 the deep? G12 (that is, G5123 to bring up G321 Christ G5547 again G321 from G1537 the dead.) G3498 But G235 what G5101 saith it? G3004 The word G4487 is G2076 nigh G1451 thee, G4675 even in G1722 thy G4675 mouth, G4750 and G2532 in G1722 thy G4675 heart: G2588 that is, G5123 the word G4487 of faith, G4102 which G3739 we preach; G2784 That G3754 if G1437 thou shalt confess G3670 with G1722 thy G4675 mouth G4750 the Lord G2962 Jesus, G2424 and G2532 shalt believe G4100 in G1722 thine G4675 heart G2588 that G3754 God G2316 hath raised G1453 him G846 from G1537 the dead, G3498 thou shalt be saved. G4982 For G1063 with the heart G2588 man believeth G4100 unto G1519 righteousness; G1343 and G1161 with the mouth G4750 confession is made G3670 unto G1519 salvation. G4991

Romans 8:3-4 STRONG

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For G1063 what the law G3551 could not do, G102 in G1722 that G3739 it was weak G770 through G1223 the flesh, G4561 God G2316 sending G3992 his own G1438 Son G5207 in G1722 the likeness G3667 of sinful G266 flesh, G4561 and G2532 for G4012 sin, G266 condemned G2632 sin G266 in G1722 the flesh: G4561 That G2443 the righteousness G1345 of the law G3551 might be fulfilled G4137 in G1722 us, G2254 who walk G4043 not G3361 after G2596 the flesh, G4561 but G235 after G2596 the Spirit. G4151

Romans 5:15-21 STRONG

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But G235 not G3756 as G5613 the offence, G3900 so G3779 also G2532 is the free gift. G5486 For G1063 if G1487 through the offence G3900 of one G1520 many G4183 be dead, G599 much G4183 more G3123 the grace G5485 of God, G2316 and G2532 the gift G1431 by G1722 grace, G5485 which is G3588 by one G1520 man, G444 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 hath abounded G4052 unto G1519 many. G4183 And G2532 not G3756 as G5613 it was by G1223 one G1520 that sinned, G264 so is the gift: G1434 for G1063 G3303 the judgment G2917 was by G1537 one G1520 to G1519 condemnation, G2631 but G1161 the free gift G5486 is of G1537 many G4183 offences G3900 unto G1519 justification. G1345 For G1063 if G1487 by one man's G1520 offence G3900 death G2288 reigned G936 by G1223 one; G1520 much G4183 more G3123 they which receive G2983 abundance G4050 of grace G5485 and G2532 of the gift G1431 of righteousness G1343 shall reign G936 in G1722 life G2222 by G1223 one, G1520 Jesus G2424 Christ.) G5547 Therefore G686 G3767 as G5613 by G1223 the offence G3900 of one G1520 judgment came upon G1519 all G3956 men G444 to G1519 condemnation; G2631 even G2532 so G3779 by G1223 the righteousness G1345 of one G1520 the free gift came upon G1519 all G3956 men G444 unto G1519 justification G1347 of life. G2222 For G1063 as G5618 by G1223 one G1520 man's G444 disobedience G3876 many G4183 were made G2525 sinners, G268 so G3779 G2532 by G1223 the obedience G5218 of one G1520 shall G2525 many G4183 be made G2525 righteous. G1342 Moreover G1161 the law G3551 entered, G3922 that G2443 the offence G3900 might abound. G4121 But G1161 where G3757 sin G266 abounded, G4121 grace G5485 did much more abound: G5248 That G2443 as G5618 sin G266 hath reigned G936 unto G1722 death, G2288 even G2532 so G3779 might G936 grace G5485 reign G936 through G1223 righteousness G1343 unto G1519 eternal G166 life G2222 by G1223 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 our G2257 Lord. G2962

Romans 1:17-18 STRONG

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For G1063 therein G1722 G846 is G601 the righteousness G1343 of God G2316 revealed G601 from G1537 faith G4102 to G1519 faith: G4102 as G2531 it is written, G1125 G1161 The just G1342 shall live G2198 by G1537 faith. G4102 For G1063 the wrath G3709 of God G2316 is revealed G601 from G575 heaven G3772 against G1909 all G3956 ungodliness G763 and G2532 unrighteousness G93 of men, G444 who hold G2722 the truth G225 in G1722 unrighteousness; G93

Exodus 20:18-19 STRONG

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And all the people H5971 saw H7200 the thunderings, H6963 and the lightnings, H3940 and the noise H6963 of the trumpet, H7782 and the mountain H2022 smoking: H6226 and when the people H5971 saw H7200 it, they removed, H5128 and stood H5975 afar off. H7350 And they said H559 unto Moses, H4872 Speak H1696 thou with us, and we will hear: H8085 but let not God H430 speak H1696 with us, lest we die. H4191

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.