Bible Commentary

For if the ministration of condemnation [be] glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 9. For if the ministration of condemnation be glory ] Dampnacioun, Wiclif, and similarly the Rhemish version. The law must be understood to be a ministry of condemnation, “not in itself and in its own nature, but … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 3:9”

How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 8. How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?] Literally, how shall not the ministration of the spirit rather be in glory, i.e. if the brightness which was actually fading was so glorious that the Israelites could not bear to look … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 3:8”

But if the ministration of death, written [and] engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which [glory] was to be done away: 7 18. The Ministration of the Spirit superior to that of the Law 7. But … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 3:7”

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 6. Who also hath made us able ministers ] None of the old English versions have given the threefold repetition of the word by St Paul, who … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 3:6”

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God; 5. Not that we are sufficient ] We here return to the idea touched upon in ch. 2Co 2:16, but then passed over on account of St Paul’s eagerness to assert the purity of his … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 3:5”

And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 4. such trust ] Better, perhaps, with the Rhemish version, confidence (Vulgate and Calvin fiducia), i.e. the confidence which St Paul had above expressed (ch. 2Co 2:14-17) in the reality of his mission and work, or in the fact that the Corinthian Church is in itself … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 3:4”

[Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 3. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared ] The Corinthians ‘fell short in no gift,’ but … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 3:3”

Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 2. Ye are our epistle ] See note on last verse. written in our hearts ] ‘Others bear their letters of commendation in their hands, we in our consciences, being fully aware that the existence of the Church of Corinth, due, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 3:2”

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some [others,] epistles of commendation to you, or [letters] of commendation from you? Ch. 2Co 3:1-6. St Paul’s Ministry no self-assumed task, but the communication of the Spirit 1. Do we begin again to commend ourselves? ] A charge had been apparently brought against … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 3:1”

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 17. For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God ] The original makes ‘many’ definite with the article, thus clearly pointing out … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Corinthians 2:17”