📖 2 Corinthians — Chapter 3 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Corinthians 3:1 Do we Rbegin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye Rare our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
2 Corinthians 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be Rthe 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 3:4 And Rsuch trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
2 Corinthians 3:5 Not Rthat we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also Rhath 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 3:7 But if Rthe 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:
2 Corinthians 3:8 How shall not Rthe ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
2 Corinthians 3:9 For if Rthe ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
2 Corinthians 3:10 For even that which was made glorious Rhad no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
2 Corinthians 3:11 For if that which is done away was glorious, Rmuch more that which remaineth is glorious.
2 Corinthians 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, Rwe use great plainness of speech:
2 Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look Rto the end of that which is abolished:
2 Corinthians 3:14 But Rtheir 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.
2 Corinthians 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, Rthe vail is upon their heart.
2 Corinthians 3:16 Nevertheless Rwhen it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and Rwhere the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding Ras in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Corinthians 3:1–6 — A letter written by the Spirit
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The believers themselves commend Paul's ministry. Their changed lives are described as Christ's letter, with sufficiency supplied by God.
Key Truth: Credit God for fruitful ministry.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Do we ____ again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, …” (2 Corinthians 3:1)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 3:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ trust have we through Christ to God-ward:” (2 Corinthians 3:4)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 3:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… the new testament; not of the letter, but of the ____ : for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Corinthians 3:7–11 — The greater glory of the Spirit
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul contrasts the glory associated with Moses' ministry with the surpassing glory of righteousness and the Spirit.
Key Truth: Attend to the life God gives through the Spirit.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “But if the ministration of ____ , written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that …” (2 Corinthians 3:7)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 3:7 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of ____ exceed in glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:9)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 3:9 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “For if that which is ____ away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.” (2 Corinthians 3:11)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 3:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Corinthians 3:12–18 — The veil and unveiled transformation
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The discussion of Moses' veil leads to turning to the Lord, liberty, and transformation while beholding the Lord's glory.
Key Truth: Turn toward the Lord with openness.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ then that we have such hope, we use great plainness …” (2 Corinthians 3:12)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 3:12 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their ____ .” (2 Corinthians 3:15)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 3:15 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Now the Lord is that ____ : and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there …” (2 Corinthians 3:17)
Find it in 2 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Exodus 34:35 — Moses' veil forms the background of Paul's comparison.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where do you need greater openness to the Lord's transforming work?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes 2 Corinthians 3:1–6 (A letter written by the Spirit) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes 2 Corinthians 3:7–11 (The greater glory of the Spirit) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes 2 Corinthians 3:12–18 (The veil and unveiled transformation) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What contrast explains the ministry of the new testament?
5. What agent is named in the described transformation?
Notes
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