2 Corinthians 3:2

Contextual Overview

¹Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? ¹ Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? ¹ Does is seem like we are tooting our own horns so that y'all will believe we are who we say we are? Do we really need some letter of introduction or endorsement concerning the things we've done? ¹ Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? ¹Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you? ¹ Do we seem to be again attempting to put ourselves in the right? or have we need, as some have, of letters of approval to you or from you? ¹ Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or do we need, as some, commendatory letters to you, or [commendatory] from you? ¹ Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some, letters of recommendation to you or from you? ¹ Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you? ¹ Do we again begin to recommend ourselves? Unless we need, as some do, recommendatory letters to you, or recommendatory letters from you?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

are: 1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 9:1, 1 Corinthians 9:2

in: 2 Corinthians 7:3, 2 Corinthians 11:11, 2 Corinthians 12:15, Philippians 1:7

known: Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 9:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:8

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 27:3 - thou shalt Acts 18:27 - the brethren 1 Corinthians 3:6 - God Philemon 1:19 - how thou

Cross-References

Psalms 58:4
Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

Psalms 58:4
Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

Psalms 58:4
They have venom like the venom of a serpent;Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,

Psalms 58:4
They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear,

Psalms 58:4
They haue poyson [within them] lyke to the poyson of a serpent: they be lyke the deafe adder that stoppeth her eares,

Psalms 58:4
Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: [they are] like the deaf adder which stoppeth her ear;

Psalms 58:4
Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; They are like the deaf cobra that stops its ear,

Psalms 58:4
Their poison is like the poison of a snake; like the deaf adder he stops his ear,

Psalms 58:4
Their anger is as deadly as the poison of a snake. They shut their ears like a deaf cobra

Psalms 58:4
Their poison is like the poison of a snake; Like a deaf cobra that stops its ear,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Ye are our epistle,.... Here a reason is given why they stood in no need of letters of commendation, to or from the church at Corinth, because that church was their living epistle, and which was much preferable to any written one. The apostle calls them their epistle in the same sense, as they are said to be his "work in the Lord, and the seal of his apostleship", 1 Corinthians 9:1 they were so as persons regenerated by the Spirit and grace of God, in whose conversion he was an instrument; now it was the work of conversion in them, which was the epistle said to be

written in our hearts; some think it should be read, "in your hearts"; and so the Ethiopic version reads it; and it looks as if it should be so read, from the following verse, and from the nature of the thing itself; for the conversion of the Corinthians was not written in the heart of the apostle, but in their own; and this was so very notorious and remarkable, that it was

known and read of all men; everyone could read, and was obliged to acknowledge the handwriting; it was so clear a case, what hand the apostle, as an instrument, had in the turning of these persons from idols to serve the living God; and which was so full a proof of the divinity, efficacy, truth, and sincerity of his doctrine, that he needed no letters from any to recommend him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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 could be. To see the force of this, it must be remembered:

1. That Corinth was an exceedingly dissolute and abandoned place (see the introduction to the First Epistle);
2. That a large number of them had been converted, and a church organized;
3. That their conversion, and the organization of a church in such a city were events that would be known abroad; and,
4. That it had been accomplished entirely under the labor of Paul and his companions.

To their knowledge of him, therefore, and to his success there, he could confidently appeal as a testimonial of his character. The characteristics of this commendatory epistle, he proceeds immediately to state. The general sense is, that they were the letter of recommendation which God had given to him; and that their conversion under his ministry was the public testimonial of his character which all might see and read.

Written in our hearts - A few mss. and versions read thus, “your hearts;” and Doddridge has adopted this reading, and supposes that it means that the change produced not only in their external conduct, but in their inward temper, was so great, that all must see that it was an unanswerable attestation to his ministry. But there is not sufficient authority for changing the text; nor is it necessary. The sense is, probably, that this letter was. as it were, written on his heart. It was not merely that Paul had a tender affection for them, as Clarke supposes; nor was it that he regarded them as “a copy of the letter of recommendation from Christ written in his heart,” according to the fanciful conceit of Macknight; but Paul’s idea seems to have been this. He is speaking of the testimonial which he had from God. That testimonial consisted in the conversion of the Corinthians. This he says was written on his heart. It was not a cold letter of introduction, but it was such as, while it left him no room to doubt that God had sent him, also affected his feelings, and was engraved on his soul. It was to him, therefore, far more valuable than any mere letter of commendation or of introduction could be. It was a direct testimonial from God to his own heart of his approbation, and of his having appointed him to the apostolic office. All the difficulty, therefore, which has been felt by commentators in this passage, may be obviated by supposing that Paul here speaks of this testimonial or epistle as addressed to himself, and as satisfactory to him, In the other characteristics which he enumerates, he speaks of it as suited to be a letter commendatory of himself to others.

Known and read of all men - Corinth was a large, splendid, and dissipated city. Their conversion, therefore, would be known afar. All people would hear of it; and their reformation, their subsequent life under the instruction of Paul, and the attestation which God had given among them to his labors, was a sufficient testimonial to the world at large, that God had called him to the apostolic office.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 3:2. Ye are our epistle — I bear the most ardent love to you. I have no need to be put in remembrance of you by any epistles or other means; ye are written in my heart - I have the most affectionate remembrance of you.

Known and read of all men — For wherever I go I mention you; speak of your various gifts and graces; and praise your knowledge in the Gospel.