2 Corinthians 3 6

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 verses

2 Corinthians 3 6 Meaning

This verse declares that God has uniquely equipped believers, especially those in ministry, to serve a new covenant. This new agreement with God operates not on the basis of written rules (the "letter"), which can only reveal sin and lead to condemnation and spiritual death, but through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers, indwells, and transforms, thereby bringing true spiritual life and righteousness.

2 Corinthians 3 6 Context

This verse is central to Paul's defense of his apostolic ministry to the Corinthians. Following his assertion that the Corinthian believers themselves are his "letter of recommendation" (2 Cor 3:1-3), written by the Spirit on hearts, Paul contrasts this spiritual reality with external, human-authored letters. He states that such confidence for ministry does not come from human ability (2 Cor 3:5) but from God, who has made Paul and his colleagues "sufficient" for a particular kind of service. This service is under the new covenant, in stark opposition to the old Mosaic covenant. The broader chapter then delves into a profound comparison of the two covenants, highlighting the superior and enduring glory of the Spirit-led New Covenant over the fading glory of the Law. Historically, Paul was likely combating the influence of those who insisted on adherence to Mosaic Law, perhaps even claiming that their ministry was more legitimate because it connected back to Moses and the original law-giving.

2 Corinthians 3 6 Word analysis

• who (ὅς - hos): Refers directly back to "God" in the preceding verse (2 Cor 3:5). It emphasizes that the competence and authority for ministry come from God alone, not from human inherent ability or external credentials.
• has made us sufficient (ἱκανώσεν ἡμᾶς - hikanōsen hēmas): "Sufficient" (hikanoi) means competent, adequate, capable, or fit for purpose. The verb form ("has made sufficient") denotes a divine act, indicating that God equips and enables Paul and his fellow ministers. It implies that their adequacy is not self-derived but divinely bestowed, enabling them to fulfill a specific calling.
• to be ministers (διακόνους - diakonous): Literally "servants" or "deacons." It implies service, assistance, and executing the will of another. Here, it signifies those actively serving in proclaiming and administering God's redemptive plan. The role is one of humble service under God's authority.
• of a new covenant (καινῆς διαθήκης - kainēs diathēkēs): "New" (kainos) here signifies new in quality and kind, not merely new in time (which would be neos). It indicates a fresh, superior, and different type of covenant, replacing the old one. "Covenant" (diathēkē) is a divinely initiated, solemn agreement between God and humanity. This term fundamentally shifts the operational basis of God's interaction with His people.
• not of the letter (οὐ γράμματος - ou grammatos): "Letter" (grammatos) refers specifically to the written code or scripture, particularly the Mosaic Law as a collection of commandments inscribed on tablets. This is not a dismissal of the Scripture itself as worthless, but a statement about the modus operandi and efficacy of a legalistic adherence to the Law in isolation from the Spirit. It emphasizes the contrast between external commandment and internal spiritual power.
• but of the Spirit (ἀλλὰ πνεύματος - alla pneumatos): "Spirit" (pneumatos) refers to the Holy Spirit. This highlights the Holy Spirit as the source of life, power, and genuine transformation within the New Covenant. It implies an internal, dynamic reality rather than an external, static code.

• For the letter kills (τὸ γὰρ γράμμα ἀποκτέννει - to gar gramma apoktennei): This is a strong, definitive statement. "Kills" (apoktennei) means to put to death, slay, or destroy. The Law "kills" by revealing sin without providing power to overcome it, leading to condemnation (Rom 7:7-13). It highlights human inadequacy and guilt before a holy God. The Law defines sin and prescribes penalties, ultimately sealing the fate of those who rely on perfect obedience to it for righteousness.
• but the Spirit gives life (τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα ζωοποιεῖ - to de pneuma zōopoiei): In direct contrast, "gives life" (zōopoiei) means to make alive, quicken, or impart life. The Holy Spirit indwells believers, providing the power to live righteously, transforming hearts, and bringing spiritual vitality, regeneration, and true communion with God. This spiritual life is an inner renewal and empowerment, delivering from the condemnation that the Law exposed.

2 Corinthians 3 6 Bonus section

Paul's argument here is closely intertwined with the imagery of Moses' veil from Exodus, which he elaborates upon in the subsequent verses (2 Cor 3:7-18). The glory of the Old Covenant, exemplified by Moses' shining face, was temporary and fading. The people could not look directly at it and required a veil. Similarly, the "letter" (the Law) placed a "veil" over the hearts of those who read it without understanding Christ, obscuring its true purpose and ultimate fulfillment. The New Covenant, empowered by the Spirit, removes this veil, allowing believers to behold God's glory with unveiled faces, thereby being transformed into the same image "from one degree of glory to another" (2 Cor 3:18). This further emphasizes that the Law's role was preparatory and that true understanding and spiritual transformation are only possible through the Spirit, through whom the glory of God in Christ is revealed and experienced.

2 Corinthians 3 6 Commentary

2 Corinthians 3:6 stands as a foundational text explaining the essential nature of the New Covenant and Christian ministry. It decisively distinguishes between the Old Covenant (Mosaic Law, the "letter") and the New Covenant (mediated by the Spirit). The Old Covenant, while holy and good in its essence, could not impart life because it only defined sin and condemned humanity for its inability to meet its demands. It served as a guide and exposed sin, thereby acting as a "killer" in revealing mankind's deadness in sin. In stark contrast, the New Covenant is characterized by the indwelling and life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, enabling transformation and genuine righteousness that comes from faith in Christ. Therefore, ministers are divinely commissioned and equipped, not as custodians of an external, legalistic system, but as channels for the Spirit's life-transforming power, leading to an inner reality of God's grace. This truth underscores the powerlessness of legalism and the supreme necessity of the Spirit for true spiritual vitality and effective ministry. For example, simply knowing all the commandments (the "letter") does not make one righteous; rather, it takes the empowering work of the Spirit to truly live in accordance with God's will and experience spiritual freedom.