2 Corinthians 3:6 kjv
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.
2 Corinthians 3:6 nkjv
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.
2 Corinthians 3:6 niv
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.
2 Corinthians 3:6 esv
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.
2 Corinthians 3:6 nlt
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.
2 Corinthians 3 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 3:3 | "...written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tables but on tablets of human hearts." | Paul's Ministry |
| 2 Cor 3:7 | "Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory..." | Old Covenant Glory |
| 2 Cor 3:9 | "...how much more will the ministry of the Spirit abound in glory." | Spirit's Greater Glory |
| Rom 7:6 | "But now we are released from the law, dead to what once held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new spiritual way." | Freedom in Christ |
| Rom 7:10 | "the very commandment meant to bring life actually brought death." | Law's True Nature |
| Rom 8:2 | "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death." | Law of the Spirit |
| Gal 3:21 | "Then why was the law given? It was added to make transgressions more apparent..." | Purpose of the Law |
| Gal 3:10 | "For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse..." | Curse of the Law |
| John 1:17 | "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." | Grace and Truth |
| John 6:63 | "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all." | Spirit Gives Life |
| Eph 2:1 | "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins..." | Spiritual Death |
| 1 Tim 1:5 | "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." | Love and Faith |
| Heb 8:8-10 | "...he finds fault with them, he says: 'Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah... I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.'" | New Covenant Promise |
| Heb 9:14 | "...how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God!" | Christ's Sacrifice |
| Phil 3:3 | "...for we are the true circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh—" | Confidence in Christ |
| Deut 30:6 | "Moreover the Lord your God will put all these curses upon your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you." | Obedience Blessings |
| Jer 31:33 | (same as Heb 8:33, regarding laws on hearts) | Internalized Law |
| Ps 40:8 | "I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is written on my heart." | Delight in God's Law |
| Isa 50:5 | "The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn away." | Obedience |
| Mark 10:45 | "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." | Service and Ransom |
2 Corinthians 3 verses
2 Corinthians 3 6 Meaning
The Apostle Paul declares that the new covenant in Christ provides life, while the old covenant, represented by letters inscribed on stone, brings death. This stark contrast highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in enabling believers to live righteously, a feat impossible under the Mosaic Law alone.
2 Corinthians 3 6 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 3 extensively contrasts the Old Covenant ministry (represented by the Mosaic Law, carved on stone) with the New Covenant ministry through Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Paul is likely defending his apostleship and the validity of the New Covenant against accusations from some in Corinth who were swayed by Judaizers, those promoting adherence to Mosaic Law for salvation or legitimacy. This particular verse encapsulates the fundamental difference: the old brings death because of its inability to be perfectly fulfilled by sinful humans, while the new brings life through the Spirit's indwelling presence.
2 Corinthians 3 6 Word Analysis
- "For" (gar - γάρ): This is a connective particle, indicating a reason or explanation for what precedes it, linking this statement to the ongoing argument about the superiority of the New Covenant ministry.
- "the letter" (ho gramma - ὁ γράμμα): This refers to the written word, specifically the Mosaic Law as codified in scripture. It represents a system of external rules and commands.
- "kills" (apokteino - ἀποκτείνω): This strong verb means to kill or slay. In this context, it signifies that the letter of the law, when applied to sinful humanity without the aid of the Spirit, reveals sin and incurs divine judgment, leading to spiritual death.
- "but" (de - δὲ): This is a conjunction used to contrast two clauses.
- "the Spirit" (to pneuma - τὸ πνεῦμα): Refers to the Holy Spirit.
- "gives life" (zōopoieō - ζωοποιέω): This verb means to make alive, to give life, or to quicken. It signifies the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit that regenerates and sustains believers, enabling them to live a life pleasing to God.
Group of Words Analysis:The phrase "the letter kills but the Spirit gives life" (ho gramma apokteino, ho de pneuma zōopoiei) presents a profound dichotomy. The "letter" represents the Law in its external, rule-based form, highlighting human inability to obey it perfectly, thus exposing sin and leading to condemnation (death). The "Spirit," on the other hand, signifies the internalized power of God's grace, working within believers, empowering them to fulfill God's will and thus bringing true, spiritual life. This is a core New Testament teaching on salvation by grace through faith, mediated by the Holy Spirit, rather than by works of the Law.
2 Corinthians 3 6 Bonus Section
This verse is pivotal in understanding Pauline theology and the transition from the Old to the New Covenant. The contrast Paul draws is not that the Law is inherently evil (as demonstrated in Romans 7:12 where Paul calls the Law "holy, righteous, and good"), but that in its administration through Moses, it became a system that, due to human sinfulness and lack of internal divine power, ultimately highlighted sin and led to death. The New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, provides the internal capacity for obedience and life. This is echoed in Jesus' own words, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing" (John 6:63). The concept of "life" here refers to more than just biological existence; it encompasses spiritual vitality, righteousness, and communion with God.
2 Corinthians 3 6 Commentary
Paul emphasizes the Spirit's life-giving power in contrast to the Law's condemnation. The Mosaic Law, while holy and good, revealed sin and could not be perfectly obeyed by fallen humanity. When followed with outward effort but lacking inward transformation, it leads to a consciousness of guilt and condemnation (death). The New Covenant, however, is characterized by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers believers to live according to God's will, not through their own strength, but through divine enablement. This results in spiritual life, righteousness, and a restored relationship with God. This vital distinction underscores the sufficiency of Christ and the Holy Spirit for salvation and Christian living.
- Practical Application: Recognizing this truth means trusting not in our ability to keep rules perfectly, but in the Holy Spirit's power to transform us and enable us to live for Christ. It calls for dependence on prayer and the Word, allowing the Spirit to guide our obedience.