What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 3:6?

He has qualified us

“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:5)

• God alone equips His people for spiritual service—no résumé, pedigree, or personal zeal can substitute (1 Timothy 1:12; Colossians 1:12).

• This assurance silences insecurity: the same Lord who saved us now empowers us for every task He assigns (Philippians 1:6).

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as ministers of a new covenant

• The “new covenant” foretold in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and inaugurated by Jesus’ blood (Luke 22:20) replaces the old system of ceremonies and sacrifices (Hebrews 8:6-13).

• To be a “minister” here is not restricted to clergy; every believer is entrusted with living and sharing this covenant reality (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

• Our message centers on forgiveness, a changed heart, and direct access to God through Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22).

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not of the letter

• “The letter” points to the external code—the Mosaic Law etched on stone tablets (Exodus 24:12), effective in exposing sin but powerless to transform (Romans 7:7-13).

• A life driven merely by rules quickly hardens into pride or despair (Romans 2:17-29).

• Paul isn’t dismissing Scripture; he’s contrasting reliance on self-effort with reliance on God’s indwelling power (Galatians 3:10-11).

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but of the Spirit

• Through the Holy Spirit, God writes His law on human hearts (Ezekiel 36:26-27), creating new desires that align with His own (Romans 8:2-4).

• The Spirit supplies daily wisdom, boldness, and love for effective ministry (Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:7).

• Obedience becomes relational rather than ritual, motivated by affection for Christ (John 14:15-17).

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for the letter kills

• The Law’s verdict is clear: “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

• By spotlighting our failure, the written code pronounces condemnation (Galatians 3:10; Romans 7:9-11).

• Attempting to earn righteousness through rule-keeping is a dead-end street that ends in spiritual death and separation from God.

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but the Spirit gives life

• “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing” (John 6:63).

• The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in believers, imparting resurrection life—both now and forever (Romans 8:11; 2 Corinthians 3:17).

• This life overflows into fruitful service, joy, and confident hope (Galatians 5:22-25; John 7:38-39).

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summary

God Himself equips us to serve under the marvelous new covenant established by Christ. Relying on mere rule-keeping condemns and exhausts; depending on the Spirit brings freedom, transformation, and life. Our competence, message, and power all flow from the Spirit, not from the letter, so that every aspect of ministry radiates the life Jesus secured for us.