2 Corinthians 3 3

2 Corinthians 3:3 kjv

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.

2 Corinthians 3:3 nkjv

clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

2 Corinthians 3:3 niv

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:3 esv

And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:3 nlt

Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

2 Corinthians 3 verses

2 Corinthians 3 3 Meaning

This verse emphasizes that believers are not under the Mosaic Law as a system of condemnation but are written upon by Christ himself. Their lives are a testament to Christ's work, comparable to letters of recommendation that authenticate the apostles' ministry. It signifies a radical transformation from the old covenant to the new, characterized by internal spiritual inscription rather than external legal code.

2 Corinthians 3 3 Context

This passage is part of Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church, written during a difficult period of opposition and false teaching. The Corinthian believers were facing pressure from Judaizers who advocated for adherence to the Mosaic Law alongside faith in Christ, implying that Paul's ministry was deficient. In chapter 3, Paul contrasts the ministry of the old covenant (associated with Moses and the Law, characterized by fading glory and condemnation) with the glorious and life-giving ministry of the new covenant in Christ. He highlights the transformation that occurs in believers through the Spirit, positioning them as living letters that attest to the efficacy of the gospel. This specific verse, 2 Corinthians 3:3, asserts the internal nature of the new covenant, where Christ himself is the source and inscribed message, making believers self-evidencing emissaries of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 3 3 Word Analysis

• "since" (epei - ἐπεί): Because, since. This introduces the reason for the preceding statement (their qualification and boldness in ministry). It points to the underlying cause.
• "you" (Hymeis - ὑμεῖς): You plural. Refers to the Corinthian believers.
• "are" (este - ἐστε): You are. Present tense, indicating a current reality.
• "clearly" (phaneros - φανερόν): Manifest, evident, plain, clear. Emphasizes the observable nature of the transformation.
• "a" (esti - ἐστιν): Is. Links the subject to its predicate.
• "letter" (epistolē - ἐπιστολή): Letter, epistle. A written message, often for communication or testimony. Here it's metaphorical, a living testimony.
• "of Christ" (Christou - Χριστοῦ): Of Christ. Indicates the author and source of this letter, signifying that Christ’s work is evident within them.
• "ministered" (diakonētheisa - διακονηθεῖσα): Ministered to, served by, written by. This passive participle relates to Christ's action through His Spirit in writing upon them. It’s not a letter written by them, but by Christ’s ministry upon them.
• "by" (di' hēmōn - δι’ ἡμῶν): By us. Implies the apostles' role as facilitators or conduits in the inscription process, though the primary author is Christ. Paul is stating that the ministry which is ours is made evident through the Corinthians.
• "not" (ouk - οὐκ): Not. A negative particle.
• "written" (graphēisan - γραφεῖσαν): Written. Past passive participle, indicating the completed action of inscription by Christ.
• "with" (en - ἐν): In, by, with. Denotes the means or instrument.
• "ink" (melani - μελάνῃ): Ink. Contrasts the external, visible, and often fading medium of ink with the internal, spiritual inscription.
• "but" (alla - ἀλλά): But. A strong adversative conjunction, introducing a contrasting element.
• "with" (alla - ἀλλά): But. Reinforces the contrast.
• "the" (pneumati - πνεύματι): The Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the divine agent of inscription.
• "Spirit" (hagiou - ἁγίου): Holy. Modifies Spirit, specifying its divine nature.
• "of the" (theou - θεοῦ): Of God.
• "living" (zōntos - ζῶντος): Living. Attributes vitality and ongoing effect to the Spirit, and by extension, to the message inscribed by Him.
• "God" (God - θεοῦ): God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "letter of Christ": Signifies that their transformation and lives are a testament to Christ's presence and work, not just something inspired by Him, but actively authored by His ongoing ministry through the Spirit.
• "ministered by us": Clarifies the apostolic role; the ministry of the Corinthians as a testament is enabled by Paul and the other apostles through their preaching and guidance, but ultimately the letter is Christ's.
• "written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God": This is the core contrast. It shifts from external, temporary marks (ink on parchment) to internal, permanent, and dynamic inscription (the Spirit’s work on the heart), marking the distinctiveness of the new covenant.

2 Corinthians 3 3 Bonus Section

The analogy of a letter is potent. In the ancient world, letters were highly valued for communication and authentication. Apostles carrying letters of recommendation would be accepted. Paul flips this, saying the Corinthians don't need letters sent to them, because their transformed lives are the very letters. This emphasizes a ministry authenticated by internal evidence rather than external endorsements. The phrase "Spirit of the living God" points to the dynamic, active power of the Holy Spirit, distinguishing Him from mere pronouncements or the static letter of the law. The use of "living" contrasts with the potential death and condemnation associated with the Law.

2 Corinthians 3 3 Commentary

Paul is asserting that the Corinthians themselves are a clear demonstration of the Gospel’s power. Unlike old covenant writings which used ink and were external, the new covenant is written by the Holy Spirit onto their hearts. This internal inscription is a "letter of recommendation," not requiring the apostles to send their own, because Christ Himself is the author and the message is His life transformed within them. This living epistle testifies to the authenticity of their faith and the ministry. It signifies a profound inward change, reflecting God's new covenant promise found in Jeremiah 31:33 and echoed in Hebrews 8:10, where God’s law is written on their inward parts.