Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, October 10th, 2024
the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
Attention!
Take your personal ministry to the Next Level by helping StudyLight build churches and supporting pastors in Uganda.
Click here to join the effort!

Read the Bible

New King James Version

2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Holy Spirit;   Mysteries;   Trinity;   Thompson Chain Reference - Liberty;   Liberty-Bondage;   Spirit;   The Topic Concordance - Change;   Freedom/liberty;   Glory;   God;   Holy Spirit;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - God;   Liberty, Christian;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Freedom;   Gifts of the spirit;   Holy spirit;   Moses;   Paul;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Corinthians, First and Second, Theology of;   Freedom;   Holy Spirit;   Law of Christ;   Mediator, Mediation;   New Covenant;   Sanctification;   Testimony;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Atonement;   Covenant;   Knowledge of God (1);   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Christianity;   Corinth;   Dispensations;   Feasts;   Hebrews, the Epistle to the;   Holy Spirit, the;   Inspiration;   James, the General Epistle of;   Moses;   Old Testament;   Zedekiah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Hope;   Human Free Will;   Humanity;   Lord;   Time, Meaning of;   Veil;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - God;   Liberty;   Moses;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Ascension;   Assumption of Moses;   Clothes;   Doxology ;   Eternal Life (2);   Example;   Fellowship (2);   Freedom of the Will;   Glory;   Grace;   Holy Spirit;   Justification;   Justification (2);   Law;   Man;   Moses;   Moses ;   Perseverance;   Religion (2);   Religious Experience;   Sacrifice (2);   Sanctification;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Vail, Veil;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Lord;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Thessalo'nians, Second Epistle to the,;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Holy Ghost;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Galatians, Epistle to the;   Liberty;   Pauline Theology;   Salvation;   Sanctification;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for December 18;  

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit is, there is freedom.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Legacy Standard Bible
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Bible in Basic English
Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there the heart is free.
Darby Translation
Now the Lord is the Spirit, but where the Spirit of [the] Lord [is, there is] liberty.
Christian Standard Bible®
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
World English Bible
Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Weymouth's New Testament
Now by "the Lord" is meant the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is enjoyed.
King James Version (1611)
Now the Lord is that spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is libertie.
Literal Translation
And the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is freedom.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For the LORDE is a sprete: & where the sprete of the LORDE is, there is libertye.
Mace New Testament (1729)
for the spiritual meaning of the law centers in him, and the spirit of the law is gospel-liberty:
Amplified Bible
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].
American Standard Version
Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Revised Standard Version
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
The Lorde no dout is a sprete. And where the sprete of the Lorde is there is libertie.
Update Bible Version
Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is liberty.
Webster's Bible Translation
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty.
Young's Literal Translation
And the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty;
New Century Version
The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
New English Translation
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom.
Berean Standard Bible
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Contemporary English Version
The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same, and the Lord's Spirit sets us free.
Complete Jewish Bible
Now, " Adonai " in this text means the Spirit. And where the Spirit of Adonai is, there is freedom.
English Standard Version
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Nowe the Lorde is the Spirite, and where the Spirite of the Lorde is, there is libertie.
George Lamsa Translation
Now the LORD is that very Spirit: and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty.
Hebrew Names Version
Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
International Standard Version
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Lord's Spirit is, there is freedom.1 Corinthians 15:45; 2 Corinthians 3:6;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
But the Lord himself is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord, (there) is liberty.
Murdock Translation
Now the Lord himself is the Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
New Living Translation
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
New Life Bible
The heart is free where the Spirit of the Lord is. The Lord is the Spirit.
English Revised Version
Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is liberty.
New Revised Standard
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, the Lord, is, the Spirit: now, where the Spirit of one who is Lord is, there is freedom!
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now the Lord is a Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
King James Version
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Lexham English Bible
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
The Lorde is a spirite: And where the spirite of the Lorde [is] there [is] libertie.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
New American Standard Bible
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Good News Translation
Now, "the Lord" in this passage is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the spirit is the Lord; and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is fredom.

Contextual Overview

12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech-- 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the Lord: 2 Corinthians 3:6, John 6:63, 1 Corinthians 15:45

where: Psalms 51:12, Isaiah 61:1, Romans 8:2, Romans 8:15, Romans 8:16, Galatians 4:6, 2 Timothy 1:7

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:10 - proclaim Psalms 119:32 - enlarge Isaiah 59:21 - My spirit John 4:24 - a Spirit John 8:32 - and the John 8:36 - General Romans 6:22 - But now 2 Corinthians 3:8 - the ministration 2 Corinthians 3:18 - by the Spirit of the Lord Galatians 2:4 - liberty Galatians 5:1 - the liberty James 1:25 - liberty

Cross-References

Genesis 3:2
And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;
Genesis 3:3
but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, "You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die."'
Genesis 3:5
For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Genesis 3:6
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Genesis 3:7
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
Genesis 3:9
Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"
Genesis 3:11
And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"
Genesis 3:13
And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Genesis 3:14
So the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life.
Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Now the Lord is that Spirit,.... "The Lord", to whom the heart is turned, when the veil is removed, is Jesus Christ; and he is "that Spirit", or "the Spirit": he, as God, is of a spiritual nature and essence; he is a spirit, as God is said to be, John 4:24 he is the giver of the Spirit of God, and the very life and spirit of the law, without whom as the end of it, it is a mere dead letter: or rather as by Moses in 2 Corinthians 3:15 is meant, the law of Moses, so by the "Lord" here may be meant the Gospel of Christ: and this is that Spirit, of which the apostles were made ministers, and is said to give life, 2 Corinthians 3:6.

And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; which may be understood of the third person in the Godhead; where he is as a spirit of illumination, there is freedom from former blindness and darkness; where he is as a spirit of regeneration and sanctification, there is freedom from the bondage of sin, and captivity of Satan; where he is as a comforter, there is freedom from the fear of hell, wrath, and damnation: where he is as a spirit of adoption, there is the freedom of children with a father; where he is as a spirit of prayer and supplication, there is liberty of access to God with boldness, Though rather the Gospel as attended with the Spirit of God, in opposition to the law, is here designed; and which points out another difference between the law and the Gospel; where the law is, there is bondage, it genders to it; it has a natural tendency to it: quite contrary is this to what the Jews i say, who call the law, חירות, "liberty": and say,

"that he that studies in the law, hath חירו מכלא, "freedom from everything":''

whereas it gives freedom in nothing, but leads into, and brings on persons a spirit of bondage; it exacts rigorous obedience, where there is no strength to perform; it holds men guilty, curses and condemns for non-obedience; so that such as are under it, and of the works of it, are always under a spirit of bondage; they obey not from love, but fear, as servants or slaves for wages, and derive all their peace and comfort from their obedience: but where the Gospel takes place under the influence of the Spirit of God, there is liberty; not to sin, which is contrary to the Gospel, to the Spirit of God in believers, and to the principle of grace wrought in their souls; but a liberty from the bondage and servitude of it: a liberty from the law's rigorous exaction, curse, and condemnation, and from the veil of former blindness and ignorance.

i Zohar in Gen. fol. 90. 1. & in Exod. fol. 72. 1. & in Numb. fol. 73. 3.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 the common name by which he was known; see John 20:13; John 21:7, John 21:12; Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:5. The design of Paul in this verse seems to be to account for the “liberty” which he and the other apostles had, or for the boldness, openness, and plainness 2 Corinthians 3:12 which they evinced in contradistinction from the Jews. who so little understood the nature of their institutions. He had said 2 Corinthians 3:6, that he was a minister “not of the letter, but of the Spirit;” and he had stated that the Old Testament was not understood by the Jews who adhered to the literal interpretation of the Scriptures. He here says, that the Lord Jesus was “the Spirit” to which he referred, and by which he was enabled to understand the Old Testament so as to speak plainly, and without obscurity. The sense is, that Christ was the Spirit; that is, the sum, the substance of the Old Testament. The figures, types, prophecies, etc. all centered in him, and he was the end of all those institutions. If contemplated as having reference to him, it was easy to understand them. This I take to be the sentiment of the pas sage, though expositors have been greatly divided in regard to its meaning. Thus explained, it does not mean absolutely and abstractly that the Lord Jesus was “a Spirit,” but that he was the sum, the essence, the end, and the purport of the Mosaic rites, the spirit of which Paul had spoken in 2 Corinthians 3:6, as contradistinguished from the letter of the Law.

And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty - This is a general truth designed to illustrate the particular sentiment which he had just advanced. The word “liberty” here (ἐλευθερία eleutheria) refers, I think, to freedom in speaking; the power of speaking openly, and freely, as in 2 Corinthians 3:12. It states the general truth, that the effect of the Spirit of God was to give light and clearness of view; to remove obscurity from a subject, and to enable one to see it plainly. This would be a truth that could not be denied by the Jews, who held to the doctrine that the Spirit of God revealed truth, and it must be admitted by all. Under the influence of that Spirit, therefore, Paul says, that he was able to speak with openness, and boldness; that he had a clear view of truth, which the mass of the Jews had not; and that the system of religion which he preached was open, plain, and clear. The word “freedom,” would perhaps, better convey the idea. “There is freedom from the dark and obscure views of the Jews; freedom from their prejudices, and their superstitions; freedom from the slavery and bondage of sin; the freedom of the children of God, who have clear views of him as their Father and Redeemer and who are enabled to express those views openly and boldly to the world.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 17. Now the Lord is that Spirit — In 2 Corinthians 3:6; 2 Corinthians 3:8, the word το πνευμα, spirit, evidently signifies the Gospel; so called because it points out the spiritual nature and meaning of the law; because it produces spiritual effects; and because it is especially the dispensation of the Spirit of God. Here Jesus Christ is represented as that Spirit, because he is the end of the law for justification to every one that believes; and because the residue of the Spirit is with him, and he is the dispenser of all its gifts, graces, and influences.

And where the Spirit of the Lord is — Wherever this Gospel is received, there the Spirit of the Lord is given; and wherever that Spirit lives and works, there is liberty, not only from Jewish bondage, but from the slavery of sin-from its power, its guilt, and its pollution. See John 8:33-36, and the notes there.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile