2 Corinthians 3:6-8 BSB

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 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, 2 Cor. 3:6. 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, 2 Cor. 3:6. As able ministers of the New... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:4-11

3:4-11 We can believe this with such confidence because we believe it through Christ and in the sight of God. It is not that in our own resources we are adequate to reckon up the effect of anything that we have done, as it were personally, but our adequacy comes from God, who has made us adequate to be ministers of the new relationship which has come into existence between him and men. This new relationship does not depend on a written document, but on the Spirit. The written document is a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:6

Who also hath made us able ministers ,.... This is an answer to the question in 2 Corinthians 2:16 who is sufficient for these things? no man is of himself; we are indeed sufficient for them, but not of ourselves; our sufficiency is of God, he hath made us able, or sufficient ministers: such ministers as are not of men's, but God's making, are sufficient ones; and none are sufficient but whom God makes so; and those he makes able and sufficient, by giving them spiritual gifts, fitting them... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:7

But if the ministration of death ,.... The apostle having observed the difference between the law and the Gospel, the one being a killing letter, the other a quickening spirit, enlarges upon it, and more, fully explains it; and proceeds to take notice of other things in which they differ; and to show the superior glory and excellency of the one to the other; for that by "the ministration of death", he means the law, as delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai, is clear from its being said to be ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:8

How shall not the ministration of the Spirit ,.... By "the ministration of the Spirit", is meant the Gospel; so called not only because it ministers spiritual things, as peace, pardon, righteousness and salvation, spiritual joy and comfort, and even spiritual life; but because it ministers the Spirit of God himself, by whom it is not only dictated, and by him at first confirmed, and who qualities persons for the preaching of it; but by it he conveys himself into the hearts of men, and makes... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:6

Who hath made us able ministers - This is a more formal answer to the question, Who is sufficient for these things? προς ταυτα τις ἱκανος ; 1 Corinthians 2:16 . God, says the apostle, has made us able ministers; ἱκανωσεν ἡμας διακονους , he has made us sufficient for these things; for the reader will observe that he uses the same word in both places. We apostles execute, under the Divine influence, what God himself has devised. We are ministers of the new covenant; of this new... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:7

The ministration of death - Here the apostle evidently intends the law. It was a ministration, διακονια or service of death. It was the province of the law to ascertain the duty of man; to assign his duties; to fix penalties for transgressions, etc.; and by it is the knowledge of sin. As man is prone to sin, and is continually committing it, this law was to him a continual ministration of death. Its letter killed; and it was only the Gospel to which it referred that could give life,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:8

The ministration of the Spirit - The Gospel dispensation, which gives the true spiritual sense of the law. Be rather glorious? - Forasmuch as the thing signified is of infinitely more consequence than that by which it is signified. The Thing bread will preserve a man alive; the Word bread can give life to nothing. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:6

Verse 6 6.Who hath made us competent. (376) He had acknowledged himself to be altogether useless. Now he declares, that, by the grace of God, he has been qualified (377) for an office, for which he was previously unqualified. From this we infer its magnitude and difficulty, as it can be undertaken by no one, that has not been previously prepared and fashioned for it by God. It is the Apostle’s intention, also, to extol the dignity of the gospel. There is, at the same time, no doubt, that he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:7

Verse 7 7But if the ministry of death. He now sets forth the dignity of the gospel by this argument — that God conferred distinguished honor upon the law, which, nevertheless, is nothing in comparison with the gospel. The law was rendered illustrious by many miracles. Paul, however, touches here upon one of them merely — that the face of Moses shone with such splendor as dazzled the eyes of all. That splendour was a token of the glory of the law. He now draws an argument from the less to the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:6-11

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:4-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:7

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