Ministers of the New Covenant

2 Corinthians 3

1 q Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, r as some do, s letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 t You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our 1 hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of u the living God, not on v tablets of stone but on w tablets of x human hearts. 2

4 y Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 z Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but a our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us competent 3 to be b ministers of c a new covenant, not of d the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but e the Spirit gives life.

7 Now if f the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory g that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in h the ministry of condemnation, i the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

12 Since we have such a hope, j we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, k who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But l their minds were m hardened. For to this day, n when they read o the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when p one 4 turns to the Lord, q the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord 5 is the Spirit, and where r the Spirit of the Lord is, there is s freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, t beholding u the glory of the Lord, 6 v are being transformed into the same image w from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

  1. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:12
    We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.
    2 Corinthians 10:12
    Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
    2 Corinthians 12:11
    I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.
  2. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:4
    For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.
  3. Cross References
    Acts 18:27
    And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed.
    1 Corinthians 16:3
    And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.
  4. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:2
    If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 16:16
    Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
  6. Cross References
    Exodus 24:12
    The Lord said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.
  7. Cross References
    Proverbs 3:3
    Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
    Proverbs 7:3
    Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
    Jeremiah 17:1
    The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars.
  8. Cross References
    Ezekiel 11:19
    And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh.
    Ezekiel 36:26
    And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
    Jeremiah 31:33
    But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord : I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
    Hebrews 8:10
    For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: 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.
  9. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:12
    In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
  10. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:8
    For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
  11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:10
    But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
  12. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:7
    Of this gospel I was made a minister according ...
    Colossians 1:23
    If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and...
    Colossians 1:25
    Of which I became a minister according to the s...
    2 Corinthians 4:1
    Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of...
    2 Corinthians 5:18
    All this is from God, who through Christ reconc...
    1 Timothy 1:12
    I thank him who has given me strength, Christ J...
  13. Cross References
    Jeremiah 31:31
    Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,...
    Luke 22:20
    And likewise the cup after they had eaten, sayi...
    1 Corinthians 11:25
    In the same way also he took the cup, after sup...
    Hebrews 8:8
    For he finds fault with them when he says: "Beh...
    Hebrews 8:13
    In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the fir...
    2 Corinthians 3:14
    But their minds were hardened. For to this day,...
    Hebrews 9:15
    Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant,...
  14. Cross References
    Romans 2:27
    Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.
  15. Cross References
    John 6:63
    It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
    Romans 8:2
    For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
  16. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:9
    For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.
    Romans 4:15
    For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
  17. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:13
    Not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.
    Exodus 34:29 - 35
    When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.
  18. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:7
    Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end.
    Hebrews 12:18 - 21
    For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest
  19. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:15
    So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
  20. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 7:4
    I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.
    Ephesians 6:19
    And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel.
  21. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:7
    Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end.
  22. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:4
    In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
    Romans 11:25
    Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
  23. Cross References
    Mark 6:52
    For they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
  24. Cross References
    Acts 13:15
    After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.
    Acts 15:21
    For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.
  25. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:6
    Who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
  26. Cross References
    Romans 11:23
    And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.
    Exodus 34:34
    Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded.
  27. Cross References
    Isaiah 25:7
    And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.
  28. Cross References
    Isaiah 61:1 - 2
    The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
    Galatians 4:6
    And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!
  29. Cross References
    Galatians 5:1
    For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
    Galatians 5:13
    For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
    John 8:32
    And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
  30. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 13:12
    For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
  31. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:4
    In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
    2 Corinthians 4:6
    For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
    1 Timothy 1:11
    In accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
    John 17:24
    Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
  32. Cross References
    Romans 8:29
    For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
    1 Corinthians 15:49
    Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
  33. Cross References
    Psalms 84:7
    They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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