Bible Commentaries
2 Corinthians 3

Introduction

Overview

2 Corinthians 3:1, Lest their false teachers should charge him with vain glory, he shows the faith and graces of the Corinthians to be a sufficient commendation of his ministry; 2 Corinthians 3:6, Whereupon entering a comparison between the ministers of the law and of the gospel, 2 Corinthians 3:12. he proves that his ministry is so far the more excellent, as the gospel of life and liberty is more glorious than the law of condemnation.

Verse 1

begin: 2 Corinthians 2:17, 2 Corinthians 5:12, 2 Corinthians 10:8, 2 Corinthians 10:12, 2 Corinthians 12:11, 2 Corinthians 12:19, 1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 10:33

epistles: Acts 18:27, 1 Corinthians 16:3

Reciprocal: Romans 15:18 - which Romans 16:1 - commend 1 Corinthians 9:2 - for 2 Corinthians 10:14 - we stretch not 2 Corinthians 10:18 - not 2 Corinthians 13:3 - which Galatians 1:1 - but

Verse 2

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

Verse 3

the epistle: Exodus 31:18, Revelation 2:1, Revelation 2:8, Revelation 2:12, Revelation 2:18, Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:7, Revelation 3:14, Revelation 3:22

ministered: 1 Corinthians 8:5-10

the living: 2 Corinthians 6:16, Joshua 3:10, 1 Samuel 17:26, Psalms 42:2, Psalms 84:2, Jeremiah 10:10, Daniel 6:26, Matthew 16:16, 1 Thessalonians 1:9, Hebrews 9:14

not: Exodus 24:12, Exodus 34:1

but: Psalms 40:8, Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 11:19, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 10:16

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:16 - General Deuteronomy 6:6 - shall be Deuteronomy 9:10 - written with Deuteronomy 27:3 - thou shalt Proverbs 3:3 - write Proverbs 6:21 - General Proverbs 7:3 - General Isaiah 51:7 - in whose Jeremiah 17:1 - graven Ezekiel 36:26 - the stony Zechariah 3:9 - I will engrave 2 Corinthians 3:7 - written 2 Corinthians 6:6 - by the 1 Timothy 3:15 - the living

Verse 4

such: 2 Corinthians 2:14, Philippians 1:6

God-ward: Exodus 18:19, 1 Thessalonians 1:8

Reciprocal: Matthew 13:52 - scribe Romans 15:17 - whereof Philippians 4:13 - can

Verse 5

that: 2 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 4:7, Exodus 4:10, John 15:5

but: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Exodus 4:11-16, Jeremiah 1:6-10, Matthew 10:19, Matthew 10:20, Luke 21:15, Luke 24:49, 1 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Philippians 2:13, Philippians 4:13, James 1:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:16 - It is not Exodus 3:11 - General Deuteronomy 1:12 - General Judges 11:11 - uttered Judges 16:20 - the Lord 1 Samuel 17:45 - in the name 1 Kings 3:9 - who is able 1 Chronicles 15:26 - God 1 Chronicles 29:14 - who am I 2 Chronicles 1:10 - for who can Nehemiah 7:5 - put into mine Psalms 18:32 - girdeth Psalms 78:72 - guided Psalms 119:125 - give Acts 3:12 - as Acts 20:19 - with all Romans 1:5 - we have 1 Corinthians 12:3 - no man 2 Corinthians 1:9 - that 2 Corinthians 10:4 - mighty Galatians 6:3 - when 1 Timothy 1:12 - who

Verse 6

hath: 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Matthew 13:52, Romans 1:5, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 3:7, Ephesians 4:11, Ephesians 4:12, Colossians 1:25-29, 1 Timothy 1:11, 1 Timothy 1:12, 1 Timothy 4:6, 2 Timothy 1:11

the new: 2 Corinthians 3:14, Jeremiah 31:31, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25, Hebrews 7:22, Hebrews 8:6-10, Hebrews 9:15-20, Hebrews 12:24, Hebrews 13:20, *marg.

not: Romans 2:27-29, Romans 7:6

for: 2 Corinthians 3:7, 2 Corinthians 3:9, Deuteronomy 27:26, Romans 3:20, Romans 4:15, Romans 7:9-11, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 3:21

but the: John 6:63, Romans 8:2, 1 John 1:1

giveth life: or, quickeneth, John 5:21, Romans 4:17, 1 Corinthians 15:45, Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:5, 1 Peter 3:18

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 26:8 - able men Psalms 78:72 - guided Psalms 119:125 - give Joel 1:13 - ye ministers Romans 2:29 - spirit Romans 6:14 - under Romans 7:5 - which 2 Corinthians 2:16 - who 2 Corinthians 3:8 - the ministration 2 Corinthians 3:11 - much 2 Corinthians 3:17 - the Lord 2 Corinthians 4:1 - seeing 2 Corinthians 4:7 - that 2 Corinthians 5:15 - that they 2 Corinthians 5:20 - ambassadors 2 Corinthians 6:4 - as 2 Corinthians 11:23 - ministers 2 Corinthians 12:9 - My grace Galatians 5:25 - we Colossians 1:23 - whereof Colossians 2:13 - he 1 Thessalonians 1:5 - in word 2 Timothy 2:15 - a workman Hebrews 8:8 - a new

Verse 7

the ministration: 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 3:9, Romans 7:10

written: 2 Corinthians 3:3, Exodus 24:12, Exodus 31:18, Exodus 32:15, Exodus 32:16, Exodus 32:19, Exodus 34:1, Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 4:13, Deuteronomy 5:22, Deuteronomy 9:9-11, Deuteronomy 9:15, Deuteronomy 10:1-4, Hebrews 9:4

was: Deuteronomy 4:8, Nehemiah 9:13, Psalms 19:7, Psalms 19:8, Psalms 119:97, Psalms 119:127, Psalms 119:128, Psalms 119:174, Romans 7:12-14, Romans 7:22, Genesis 3:21

that: Exodus 34:29-35, Luke 9:29-31, Acts 6:15

which: 2 Corinthians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 3:11, 2 Corinthians 3:14, Romans 10:4, 1 Corinthians 13:10

Reciprocal: Exodus 19:24 - lest Deuteronomy 5:25 - this great Deuteronomy 33:2 - a fiery law Jeremiah 31:33 - I will Habakkuk 3:3 - and the earth Matthew 17:3 - Moses Mark 9:2 - transfigured Luke 9:30 - which John 1:17 - the law John 3:30 - but John 5:45 - there Romans 2:12 - in the law Romans 4:15 - Because Romans 5:20 - the law 2 Corinthians 5:14 - then Galatians 2:17 - is Hebrews 8:10 - I will put

Verse 8

the ministration: 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 11:4, Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 44:3, Isaiah 59:21, Joel 2:28, Joel 2:29, John 1:17, John 7:39, Acts 2:17, Acts 2:18, Acts 2:32, Acts 2:33, Romans 8:9-16, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Galatians 3:2-5, Galatians 3:14, Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:22, Galatians 5:23, Ephesians 2:18, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:2, Jude 1:19, Jude 1:20

Reciprocal: Exodus 31:18 - the finger Isaiah 32:15 - the spirit Jeremiah 31:33 - I will Acts 6:15 - saw 2 Corinthians 4:4 - lest Galatians 3:5 - that Ephesians 4:12 - the work 1 Timothy 1:11 - glorious Hebrews 8:10 - I will put

Verse 9

the ministration of condemnation: 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 3:7, Exodus 19:12-19, Exodus 20:18, Exodus 20:19, Romans 1:18, Romans 8:3, Romans 8:4, Galatians 3:10, Hebrews 12:18-21

the ministration of righteousness: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 46:13, Jeremiah 23:6, Romans 1:17, Romans 3:21, Romans 3:22, Romans 4:11, Romans 5:15-21, Romans 10:3-10, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Galatians 5:4, Galatians 5:5, Philippians 3:9, 2 Peter 1:1

exceed: 2 Corinthians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 15:41, Hebrews 3:5, Hebrews 3:6

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:2 - a fiery law Haggai 2:9 - glory Luke 11:13 - how 2 Corinthians 4:4 - lest 2 Corinthians 5:14 - then 2 Corinthians 11:15 - the ministers Hebrews 5:13 - the word

Verse 10

had: Job 25:5, Isaiah 24:23, Haggai 2:3, Haggai 2:7-9, Acts 26:13, Philippians 3:7-8, 2 Peter 1:17, Revelation 21:23, Revelation 21:24, Revelation 22:5

Reciprocal: Isaiah 43:18 - General Haggai 2:9 - glory 1 Corinthians 4:21 - shall 2 Corinthians 3:7 - which 2 Corinthians 3:9 - exceed

Verse 11

if: 2 Corinthians 3:7, Romans 5:20, Romans 5:21, Hebrews 7:21-25, Hebrews 8:13, Hebrews 12:25-29

much: 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 4:1

Reciprocal: 2 Corinthians 3:9 - exceed 2 Corinthians 4:4 - lest

Verse 12

we use: 2 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Corinthians 4:3, 2 Corinthians 4:13, John 10:24, John 16:25, John 16:29, 1 Corinthians 14:19, Colossians 4:4

plainness: or, boldness, 2 Corinthians 7:4, 2 Corinthians 10:1, Acts 4:13, Acts 4:29-31, Acts 9:27, Acts 9:29, Acts 14:3, Ephesians 6:19, Ephesians 6:20, Philippians 1:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Timothy 3:13

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 27:8 - very plainly Psalms 49:4 - dark Habakkuk 2:2 - make Matthew 10:27 - I tell Acts 4:11 - you Philemon 1:8 - bold

Verse 13

which: Exodus 34:33-35

could not: 2 Corinthians 3:18

to the: Romans 10:4, Galatians 3:23, Galatians 3:24, Ephesians 2:14, Ephesians 2:15, Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 10:1-9

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:29 - the skin Psalms 119:18 - wondrous Song of Solomon 2:9 - he standeth Isaiah 25:7 - he will

Verse 14

their: 2 Corinthians 4:3, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Psalms 69:23, Isaiah 6:10, Isaiah 26:10-12, Isaiah 42:18-20, Isaiah 44:18, Isaiah 56:10, Isaiah 59:10, Jeremiah 5:21, Ezekiel 12:2, Matthew 6:23, Matthew 13:11, Matthew 13:13-15, John 9:39-41, John 12:40, Acts 28:26, Acts 28:27, Romans 11:7-10, Romans 11:25

which veil: 2 Corinthians 4:6, Isaiah 25:7, Matthew 16:17, Luke 18:31-34, Luke 24:25-27, Luke 24:44-46, John 8:12, John 12:46, Acts 16:14, Acts 26:18, Ephesians 1:17-20

Reciprocal: Psalms 119:18 - Open Isaiah 10:21 - return Isaiah 29:18 - the deaf Isaiah 42:19 - Who is blind Matthew 11:25 - because Matthew 13:14 - the prophecy Matthew 23:39 - Blessed Mark 3:5 - hardness Luke 9:45 - General Luke 19:42 - but Luke 24:45 - General John 12:35 - lest John 12:38 - revealed John 16:14 - for Acts 3:17 - through Acts 9:18 - immediately Acts 13:27 - because Romans 11:8 - unto this day 1 Corinthians 2:8 - for 1 Corinthians 11:25 - the new 2 Corinthians 3:6 - the new 2 Corinthians 3:7 - which 1 John 2:11 - because Revelation 11:19 - the ark

Verse 15

the veil: Acts 13:27-29

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:45 - for their Deuteronomy 29:4 - General Isaiah 42:19 - Who is blind Mark 11:33 - We Luke 13:35 - Blessed Romans 11:8 - unto this day

Verse 16

when: Exodus 34:34, Deuteronomy 4:30, Deuteronomy 30:10, Lamentations 3:40, Hosea 3:4, Hosea 3:5, Romans 11:25-27

the veil: Isaiah 25:7, Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 54:13, Jeremiah 31:34, John 6:45, John 6:46

Reciprocal: Leviticus 26:45 - for their Deuteronomy 30:2 - return unto Isaiah 11:11 - set his hand Acts 9:35 - turned Acts 26:20 - turn Romans 11:23 - General

Verse 17

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

Verse 18

with: 2 Corinthians 3:13

as in: 1 Corinthians 13:12, James 1:23

the glory: 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 4:6, John 1:14, John 12:41, 1 Timothy 1:11,*Gr.

are: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:29, Romans 12:2, Romans 13:14, 1 Corinthians 15:49, Galatians 6:15, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:10, Titus 3:5, 2 Peter 1:5-9

from: Romans 8:4, Romans 8:7

by the Spirit of the Lord: or, of the Lord the Spirit, 2 Corinthians 3:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:26 - in our Genesis 5:1 - in the likeness Genesis 32:30 - I have Exodus 29:43 - sanctified Exodus 33:18 - General Exodus 37:9 - cherubims spread Numbers 12:8 - similitude 1 Kings 8:11 - for the glory Psalms 17:15 - I will Psalms 26:3 - For Psalms 27:4 - behold Psalms 84:7 - They Psalms 84:11 - the Lord Psalms 85:13 - shall set Psalms 90:17 - And let Proverbs 4:18 - General Song of Solomon 4:1 - my Isaiah 35:2 - they shall Isaiah 40:5 - the glory Isaiah 59:21 - My spirit Isaiah 60:2 - the Lord Ezekiel 8:4 - General Ezekiel 36:26 - new heart Micah 2:9 - my glory Luke 2:9 - and the Luke 9:31 - appeared John 2:11 - manifested John 8:32 - and the John 11:40 - see John 13:31 - and God John 14:21 - and will John 17:17 - Sanctify John 17:22 - the glory John 17:24 - may Acts 6:15 - saw Acts 11:18 - and glorified Romans 3:3 - faith Romans 5:2 - the glory Romans 5:5 - shed 2 Corinthians 1:23 - that 2 Corinthians 4:17 - far Ephesians 4:24 - after Ephesians 5:8 - but 1 Thessalonians 2:13 - effectually Hebrews 2:10 - glory James 1:25 - liberty 2 Peter 1:4 - ye might 1 John 3:2 - for 1 John 3:6 - whosoever