Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. New Living Translation He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. English Standard Version who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Berean Standard Bible And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Berean Literal Bible who also has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. King James Bible 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. New King James Version who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. New American Standard Bible who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. NASB 1995 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. NASB 1977 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Legacy Standard Bible who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Amplified Bible He has qualified us [making us sufficient] as ministers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not of the letter [of a written code] but of the Spirit; for the letter [of the Law] kills [by revealing sin and demanding obedience], but the Spirit gives life. Christian Standard Bible He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Holman Christian Standard Bible He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit produces life. American Standard Version who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Contemporary English Version He makes us worthy to be the servants of his new agreement that comes from the Holy Spirit and not from a written Law. After all, the Law brings death, but the Spirit brings life. English Revised Version who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. GOD'S WORD® Translation He has also qualified us to be ministers of a new promise, a spiritual promise, not a written one. Clearly, what was written brings death, but the Spirit brings life. Good News Translation it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life. International Standard Version who has also qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, which is not written but spiritual, because the written text brings death, but the Spirit gives life. Majority Standard Bible And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. NET Bible who made us adequate to be servants of a new covenant not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. New Heart English Bible who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Weymouth New Testament It is He also who has made us competent to serve Him in connexion with a new Covenant, which is not a written code but a Spirit; for the written code inflicts death, but the Spirit gives Life. World English Bible who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionwho also made us sufficient [to be] servants of the New Covenant, not of letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, and the Spirit makes alive. Berean Literal Bible who also has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Young's Literal Translation who also made us sufficient to be ministrants of a new covenant, not of letter, but of spirit; for the letter doth kill, and the spirit doth make alive. Smith's Literal Translation Who rendered as fitting servants of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter kills, and the Spirit makes alive. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho also hath made us fit ministers of the new testament, not in the letter, but in the spirit. For the letter killeth, but the spirit quickeneth. Catholic Public Domain Version And he has made us suitable ministers of the New Testament, not in the letter, but in the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. New American Bible who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life. New Revised Standard Version who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWho has made us worthy to be ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but the Spirit: for the letter of the law punishes with death, but the Spirit gives life. Aramaic Bible in Plain English He who made us worthy to be Ministers of The New Covenant, not in The Scripture, but in The Spirit, for The Scripture kills, but The Spirit gives life. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentwho has made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of letter, but of spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit makes alive. Godbey New Testament who also rendered us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit creates life. Haweis New Testament Who hath made us also able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Mace New Testament who also hath enabled me to be a minister of the new covenant, not of the literal sense, but of the spiritual meaning: it is the letter that denounces death, but the spirit gives life. Weymouth New Testament It is He also who has made us competent to serve Him in connexion with a new Covenant, which is not a written code but a Spirit; for the written code inflicts death, but the Spirit gives Life. Worrell New Testament Who also qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive. Worsley New Testament Who hath also fitted us to be ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Ministers of a New Covenant…5Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. 6And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory,… Cross References Jeremiah 31:31-34 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ... Ezekiel 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. Hebrews 8:6-13 Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. / For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second. / But God found fault with the people and said: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. ... Romans 7:6 But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Galatians 3:10-14 All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” / Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” / The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” ... Romans 8:2 For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Hebrews 10:15-17 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says: / “This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds.” / Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” Romans 2:29 No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God. Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Colossians 2:14 having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! Romans 3:27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. Galatians 4:24-26 These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. / Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. / But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. Hebrews 9:15 Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Romans 8:4 so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Treasury of Scripture Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. hath. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; … Matthew 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: the new. 2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. not. Romans 2:27-29 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? … Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. for. 2 Corinthians 3:7,9 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: … Deuteronomy 27:26 Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen. Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. but the. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; giveth life. Jump to Previous Able Adequate Agreement Alive Code Competent Connexion Covenant Death Gives Inflicts Kill Killeth Kills Letter Ministers New Quickens Servants Serve Spirit Sufficient Testament WrittenJump to Next Able Adequate Agreement Alive Code Competent Connexion Covenant Death Gives Inflicts Kill Killeth Kills Letter Ministers New Quickens Servants Serve Spirit Sufficient Testament Written2 Corinthians 3 1. Lest their false teachers should charge him with vain glory, 2. he shows the faith of the Corinthians to be a sufficient commendation of his ministry. 6. Whereupon entering a comparison between the ministers of the law and of the gospel, 12. he proves that his ministry is so far the more excellent, 17. as the gospel of life and liberty is more glorious than the law of condemnation. And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant This phrase emphasizes divine empowerment and calling. The "He" refers to God, who qualifies believers for ministry. The concept of a "new covenant" is rooted in Jeremiah 31:31-34, where God promises a new covenant with His people, distinct from the old covenant given through Moses. This new covenant is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, as seen in Hebrews 8:6-13, where it is described as superior and based on better promises. The role of ministers in this context is to serve as ambassadors of this covenant, spreading the message of reconciliation through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). not of the letter but of the Spirit for the letter kills but the Spirit gives life Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, emphasizing his role and the role of other apostles as ministers of the new covenant. 2. Corinth A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and significant trade. The church in Corinth faced various challenges, including divisions and misunderstandings about the Gospel. 3. New Covenant Refers to the covenant established through Jesus Christ, contrasting with the old covenant given through Moses. It emphasizes grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. 4. The Spirit The Holy Spirit, who empowers believers and brings life, in contrast to the "letter" of the law, which brings condemnation. 5. The Letter Refers to the Mosaic Law, which, while holy and good, reveals sin and leads to death without the life-giving power of the Spirit. Teaching Points The Role of the SpiritThe Holy Spirit is essential in the life of a believer, providing guidance, empowerment, and life. Unlike the law, which can only point out sin, the Spirit transforms and renews. Understanding the New Covenant Believers are called to live under the new covenant, which is characterized by grace and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, rather than mere adherence to rules. Life Over Legalism The focus should be on the life-giving power of the Spirit rather than a legalistic adherence to the law. This means prioritizing a relationship with God over ritualistic practices. Qualified by God God qualifies believers to be ministers of the new covenant. This is not based on personal merit but on God's calling and empowerment through the Spirit. Transformation Through the Spirit The Spirit's work in a believer's life leads to transformation, producing the fruit of the Spirit and enabling believers to reflect Christ's character.(6) Able ministers of the new testament.--Better, perhaps, as keeping up the stress on the word that had been used in 2Corinthians 2:16, in the English as in the Greek, sufficient ministers. The noun is used as carrying out the thought implied in the "ministered by us" in 2Corinthians 3:3. In the "new covenant"--new, as implying freshness of life and energy--we have a direct reference, both to our Lord's words, as cited in 1Corinthians 11:25, and given in the Gospel narrative of the Last Supper (see Notes on Matthew 26:28), and to Jeremiah 31:31. The Greek omits the article before all three words, "of a new covenant, one not of a written letter, but of spirit." The idea of "spirit" comes from Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26-27. . . . Verse 6. - Who also. Either, "And he it is who;" or, "Who besides this power, has made us adequate ministers." Hath made us able ministers; rather, made us sufficient ministers. Of the new testament; rather, of a fresh covenant (Jeremiah 31:31). The "new testament" has not the remotest connection with what we call "The New Testament," meaning thereby the book - which, indeed, had at this time no existence. The word "testament" means a will, and in this sense implies neither the Hebrew berith nor the Greek diatheke, both of which mean "covenant." In one passage only of the New Testament (Hebrews 9:16, 17) does diatheke mean a "testament" or "will." For the thought, see Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 1:25; 1 Timothy 1:11, 12. Not of the letter, but of the spirit. In other words, "not of the Law, but of the gospel;" not of that which is dead, but of that which is living; not of that which is deathful, but of that which is life-giving; not of bondage, but of freedom; not of mutilation, but of self-control; not of the outward, but of the inward; not of works, but of grace; not of menace, but of promise; not of curse, but of blessing; not of wrath, but of love; not of Moses, but of Christ. This is the theme which St. Paul develops especially in the Epistles to the Romans and the Galatians (see Romans 2:29; Romans 3:20; Romans 7:6, 10, 11; Romans 8:2; Galatians 3:10; Galatians 5:4, etc.). Not of the letter. Not, that is, of the Mosaic Law regarded as a yoke of externalism; a hard and unhelpful "thou shalt" and "thou shalt not;" a system that possessed no life of its own and inspired no life into others; a "categoric imperative," majestic, indeed, but unsympathetic and pitiless. Both the Law and the gospel were committed to writing; each covenant had its own book; but in the case of the Mosaic Law there was the book and nothing more; in the case of the gospel the book was nothing compared to the spirit, and nothing without the spirit. Out of the spirit. That is, of the gospel which found its pledge and consummation in the gift of the Spirit. The Law, too, was in one sense "spiritual" (Romans 7:14), for it was given by God, who is a Spirit, and it was a holy Law; but though such in itself (in se) it was relatively (per aceidens) a cause of sin and death, because it was addressed to a fallen nature, and inspired no spirit by which that nature could be delivered (see Romans 7:7-25). But in the gospel the spirit is everything; the mere letter is as nothing (John 6:63). For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. This is one of the very numerous "texts" which have been first misinterpreted and have then been made, for whole centuries, the bases of erroneous systems. On this text more than any other, Origen, followed by the exegetes of a thousand years, built his dogma that the Scripture must be interpreted allegorically, not literally, because "the letter" of the Bible kills. The misinterpretation is extravagantly inexcusable, and, like many others, arose solely from rending words away from their context and so reading new senses into them. The contrast is not between "the outward" and the inward sense of Scripture at all. "The letter" refers exclusively to "the Law," and therefore has so little reference to "the Bible" that it was written before most of the New Testament existed, and only touches on a small portion of the Old Testament. Killeth. Two questions arise. (1) What and whom does it kill? and (2) how does it kill? The answers seem to be that . . . Greek Andκαὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. He ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. has qualified ἱκάνωσεν (hikanōsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2427: To make sufficient, render fit, qualify. From hikanos; to enable, i.e. Qualify. us ἡμᾶς (hēmas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [as] ministers διακόνους (diakonous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 1249: Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor. of a new καινῆς (kainēs) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 2537: Fresh, new, unused, novel. Of uncertain affinity; new covenant, διαθήκης (diathēkēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1242: From diatithemai; properly, a disposition, i.e. a contract. not οὐ (ou) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. of [the] letter γράμματος (grammatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 1121: From grapho; a writing, i.e. A letter, note, epistle, book, etc. plural learning. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. of [the] Spirit; πνεύματος (pneumatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit. for γὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. the τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. letter γράμμα (gramma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 1121: From grapho; a writing, i.e. A letter, note, epistle, book, etc. plural learning. kills, ἀποκτέννει (apoktennei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 615: To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy. but δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. the τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Spirit πνεῦμα (pneuma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit. gives life. ζωοποιεῖ (zōopoiei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2227: To make that which was dead to live, cause to live, quicken. From the same as zoon and poieo; tovitalize. Links 2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV2 Corinthians 3:6 NLT 2 Corinthians 3:6 ESV 2 Corinthians 3:6 NASB 2 Corinthians 3:6 KJV 2 Corinthians 3:6 BibleApps.com 2 Corinthians 3:6 Biblia Paralela 2 Corinthians 3:6 Chinese Bible 2 Corinthians 3:6 French Bible 2 Corinthians 3:6 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also made us sufficient as servants (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) |
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