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2 Corinthians 3:12 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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12 Seeing then G3767 that we have G2192 such G5108 hope, G1680 we use G5530 great G4183 plainness of speech: G3954

Cross Reference

2 Corinthians 7:4 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Great G4183 is my G3427 boldness of speech G3954 toward G4314 you, G5209 great G4183 is my G3427 glorying G2746 of G5228 you: G5216 I am filled G4137 with comfort, G3874 I am exceeding G5248 joyful G5479 in G1909 all G3956 our G2257 tribulation. G2347

1 Thessalonians 2:2 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

But G235 even G2532 after that we had suffered before, G4310 and G2532 were shamefully entreated, G5195 as G2531 ye know, G1492 at G1722 Philippi, G5375 we were bold G3955 in G1722 our G2257 God G2316 to speak G2980 unto G4314 you G5209 the gospel G2098 of God G2316 with G1722 much G4183 contention. G73

Acts 4:13 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Now G1161 when they saw G2334 the boldness G3954 of Peter G4074 and G2532 John, G2491 and G2532 perceived G2638 that G3754 they were G1526 unlearned G62 and G2532 ignorant G2399 men, G444 they marvelled; G2296 and G5037 they took knowledge G1921 of them, G846 that G3754 they had been G2258 with G4862 Jesus. G2424

2 Corinthians 4:13 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

G1161 We having G2192 the same G846 spirit G4151 of faith, G4102 according as G2596 it is written, G1125 I believed, G4100 and therefore G1352 have I spoken; G2980 we G2249 also G2532 believe, G4100 and G2532 therefore G1352 speak; G2980

1 Timothy 3:13 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

For G1063 they that have used the office of a deacon G1247 well G2573 purchase G4046 to themselves G1438 a good G2570 degree, G898 and G2532 great G4183 boldness G3954 in G1722 the faith G4102 which G3588 is in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus. G2424

Colossians 4:4 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

That G2443 I may make G5319 it G846 manifest, G5319 as G5613 I G3165 ought G1163 to speak. G2980

Philippians 1:20 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

According G2596 to my G3450 earnest expectation G603 and G2532 my hope, G1680 that G3754 in G1722 nothing G3762 I shall be ashamed, G153 but G235 that with G1722 all G3956 boldness, G3954 as G5613 always, G3842 so now G3568 also G2532 Christ G5547 shall be magnified G3170 in G1722 my G3450 body, G4983 whether G1535 it be by G1223 life, G2222 or G1535 by G1223 death. G2288

Ephesians 6:19-20 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And G2532 for G5228 me, G1700 that G2443 utterance G3056 may be given G1325 unto me, G3427 that I may open G1722 G457 my G3450 mouth G4750 boldly, G1722 G3954 to make known G1107 the mystery G3466 of the gospel, G2098 For G5228 which G3739 I am an ambassador G4243 in G1722 bonds: G254 that G2443 therein G1722 G846 I may speak boldly, G3955 as G5613 I G3165 ought G1163 to speak. G2980

2 Corinthians 10:1 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Now G1161 I G1473 Paul G3972 myself G846 beseech G3870 you G5209 by G1223 the meekness G4236 and G2532 gentleness G1932 of Christ, G5547 who G3739 in G2596 presence G4383 am base G3303 G5011 among G1722 you, G5213 but G1161 being absent G548 am bold G2292 toward G1519 you: G5209

John 10:24 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Then G3767 came G2944 the Jews G2453 round about G2944 him, G846 and G2532 said G3004 unto him, G846 How long G2193 G4219 dost thou make G142 us G2257 to doubt? G5590 If G1487 thou G4771 be G1488 the Christ, G5547 tell G2036 us G2254 plainly. G3954

2 Corinthians 4:2-3 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

But G235 have renounced G550 the hidden things G2927 of dishonesty, G152 not G3361 walking G4043 in G1722 craftiness, G3834 nor G3366 handling G1389 the word G3056 of God G2316 deceitfully; G1389 but G235 by manifestation G5321 of the truth G225 commending G4921 ourselves G1438 to G4314 every G3956 man's G444 conscience G4893 in the sight G1799 of God. G2316 But G1161 if G1499 our G2257 gospel G2098 be G2076 hid, G2572 it is G2076 hid G2572 to G1722 them that are lost: G622

1 Corinthians 14:19 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Yet G235 in G1722 the church G1577 I had rather G2309 speak G2980 five G4002 words G3056 with G1223 my G3450 understanding, G3563 that G2443 by my voice I might teach G2727 others G243 also, G2532 than G2228 ten thousand G3463 words G3056 in G1722 an unknown tongue. G1100

Acts 14:3 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Long G2425 time G5550 therefore G3303 G3767 abode they G1304 speaking boldly G3955 in G1909 the Lord, G2962 which G3588 gave testimony G3140 unto the word G3056 of his G846 grace, G5485 and G2532 granted G1325 signs G4592 and G2532 wonders G5059 to be done G1096 by G1223 their G846 hands. G5495

Acts 9:29 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And G2532 he spake G2980 boldly G3955 in G1722 the name G3686 of the Lord G2962 Jesus, G2424 and G5037 G2532 disputed G4802 against G4314 the Grecians: G1675 but G1161 they went about G2021 to slay G337 him. G846

Acts 9:27 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

But G1161 Barnabas G921 took G1949 him, G846 and brought G71 him to G4314 the apostles, G652 and G2532 declared G1334 unto them G846 how G4459 he had seen G1492 the Lord G2962 in G1722 the way, G3598 and G2532 that G3754 he had spoken G2980 to him, G846 and G2532 how G4459 he had preached boldly G3955 at G1722 Damascus G1154 in G1722 the name G3686 of Jesus. G2424

Acts 4:29-31 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And G2532 now, G3569 Lord, G2962 behold G1896 G1909 their G846 threatenings: G547 and G2532 grant unto G1325 thy G4675 servants, G1401 that with G3326 all G3956 boldness G3954 they may speak G2980 thy G4675 word, G3056 By G1722 G4571 stretching forth G1614 thine G4675 hand G5495 to G1519 heal; G2392 and G2532 that signs G4592 and G2532 wonders G5059 may be done G1096 by G1223 the name G3686 of thy G4675 holy G40 child G3816 Jesus. G2424 And G2532 when they G846 had prayed, G1189 the place G5117 was shaken G4531 where G1722 G3739 they were G2258 assembled together; G4863 and G2532 they were G4130 all G537 filled G4130 with the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 and G2532 they spake G2980 the word G3056 of God G2316 with G3326 boldness. G3954

John 16:29 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

His G846 disciples G3101 said G3004 unto him, G846 Lo, G2396 now G3568 speakest thou G2980 plainly, G3954 and G2532 speakest G3004 no G3762 proverb. G3942

John 16:25 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

These things G5023 have I spoken G2980 unto you G5213 in G1722 proverbs: G3942 but G235 the time G5610 cometh, G2064 when G3753 I shall G2980 no more G3765 speak G2980 unto you G5213 in G1722 proverbs, G3942 but G235 I shall shew G312 you G5213 plainly G3954 of G4012 the Father. G3962

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 3

The apostle makes an apology for his seeming to commend himself, and is careful not to assume too much to himself, but to ascribe all praise unto God (v. 1-5). He then draws a comparison between the Old Testament and the New, and shows the excellency of the later above the former (v. 6-11), whence he infers what is the duty of gospel ministers, and the advantage of those who live under the gospel above those who lived under the law (v. 12-18).

2Cr 3:1-5

In these verses,

  • I. The apostle makes an apology for seeming to commend himself. He thought it convenient to protest his sincerity to them, because there were some at Corinth who endeavoured to blast his reputation; yet he was not desirous of vain-glory. And he tells them,
    • 1. That he neither needed nor desired any verbal commendation to them, nor letters testimonial from them, as some others did, meaning the false apostles or teachers, v. 1. His ministry among them had, without controversy, been truly great and honourable, how little soever his person was in reality, or how contemptible soever some would have him thought to be.
    • 2. The Corinthians themselves were his real commendation, and a good testimonial for him, that God was with him of a truth, that he was sent of God: You are our epistle, v. 2. This was the testimonial he most delighted in, and what was most dear to him-they were written in his heart; and this he could appeal to upon occasion, for it was, or might be, known and read of all men. Note, There is nothing more delightful to faithful ministers, nor more to their commendation, than the success of their ministry, evidenced in the hearts and lives of those among whom they labour.
  • II. The apostle is careful not to assume too much to himself, but to ascribe all the praise to God. Therefore,
    • 1. He says they were the epistle of Christ, v. 3. The apostle and others were but instruments, Christ was the author of all the good that was in them. The law of Christ was written in their hearts, and the love of Christ shed abroad in their hearts. This epistle was not written with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; nor was it written in tables of stone, as the law of God given to Moses, but on the heart; and that heart not a stony one, but a heart of flesh, upon the fleshy (not fleshly, as fleshliness denotes sensuality) tables of the heart, that is, upon hearts that are softened and renewed by divine grace, according to that gracious promise, I will take away the stony heart, and I will give you a heart of flesh, Eze. 36:26. This was the good hope the apostle had concerning these Corinthians (v. 4) that their hearts were like the ark of the covenant, containing the tables of the law and the gospel, written with the finger, that is, by the Spirit, of the living God.
    • 2. He utterly disclaims the taking of any praise to themselves, and ascribes all the glory to God: "We are not sufficient of ourselves, v. 5. We could never have made such good impressions on your hearts, nor upon our own. Such are our weakness and inability that we cannot of ourselves think a good thought, much less raise any good thoughts or affections in other men. All our sufficiency is of God; to him therefore are owing all the praise and glory of that good which is done, and from him we must receive grace and strength to do more.' This is true concerning ministers and all Christians; the best are no more than what the grace of God makes them. Our hands are not sufficient for us, but our sufficiency is of God; and his grace is sufficient for us, to furnish us for every good word and work.

2Cr 3:6-11

Here the apostle makes a comparison between the Old Testament and the New, the law of Moses and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and values himself and his fellow-labourers by this, that they were able ministers of the New Testament, that God had made them so, v. 6. This he does in answer to the accusations of false teachers, who magnify greatly the law of Moses.

  • I. He distinguishes between the letter and the spirit even of the New Testament, v. 6. As able ministers of the New Testament, they were ministers not merely of the letter, to read the written word, or to preach the letter of the gospel only, but they were ministers of the Spirit also; the Spirit of God did accompany their ministrations. The letter killeth; this the letter of the law does, for that is the ministration of death; and if we rest only in the letter of the gospel we shall be never the better for so doing, for even that will be a savour of death unto death; but the Spirit of the gospel, going along with the ministry of the gospel, giveth life spiritual and life eternal.
  • II. He shows the difference between the Old Testament and the New, and the excellency of the gospel above the law. For,
    • 1. The Old-Testament dispensation was the ministration of death (v. 7), whereas that of the New Testament is the ministration of life. The law discovered sin, and the wrath and curse of God. This showed us a God above us and a God against us; but the gospel discovers grace, and Emmanuel, God with us. Upon this account the gospel is more glorious than the law; and yet that had a glory in it, witness the shining of Moses's face (an indication thereof) when he came down from the mount with the tables in his hand, that reflected rays of brightness upon his countenance.
    • 2. The law was the ministration of condemnation, for that condemned and cursed every one who continued not in all things written therein to do them; but the gospel is the ministration of righteousness: therein the righteousness of God by faith is revealed. This shows us that the just shall live by his faith. This reveals the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ, for obtaining the remission of sins and eternal life. The gospel therefore so much exceeds in glory that in a manner it eclipses the glory of the legal dispensation, v. 10. As the shining of a burning lamp is lost, or not regarded, when the sun arises and goes forth in his strength; so there was no glory in the Old Testament, in comparison with that of the New.
    • 3. The law is done away, but the gospel does and shall remain, v. 11. Not only did the glory of Moses's face go away, but the glory of Moses's law is done away also; yea, the law of Moses itself is now abolished. That dispensation was only to continue for a time, and then to vanish away; whereas the gospel shall remain to the end of the world, and is always fresh and flourishing and remains glorious.

2Cr 3:12-18

In these verses the apostle draws two inferences from what he had said about the Old and New Testament:-

  • I. Concerning the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness or clearness of speech. They ought not, like Moses, to put a veil upon their faces, or obscure and darken those things which they should make plain. The gospel is a more clear dispensation than the law; the things of God are revealed in the New Testament, not in types and shadows, and ministers are much to blame if they do not set spiritual things, and gospel-truth and grace, in the clearest light that is possible. Though the Israelites could not look stedfastly to the end of what was commanded, but is now abolished, yet we may. We may see the meaning of those types and shadows by the accomplishment, seeing the veil is done away in, Christ and he is come, who was the end of the law for righteousness to all those who believe, and whom Moses and all the prophets pointed to, and wrote of.
  • II. Concerning the privilege and advantage of those who enjoy the gospel, above those who lived under the law. For,
    • 1. Those who lived under the legal dispensation had their minds blinded (v. 14), and there was a veil upon their hearts, v. 15. Thus it was formerly, and so it was especially as to those who remained in Judaism after the coming of the Messiah and the publication of his gospel. Nevertheless, the apostle tells us, there is a time coming when this veil also shall be taken away, and when it (the body of that people) shall turn to the Lord, v. 16. Or, when any particular person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is taken away; the blindness of the mind, and the hardness of the heart, are cured.
    • 2. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is much more happy. For,
      • (1.) They have liberty: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, and where he worketh, as he does under the gospel-dispensation, there is liberty (v. 17), freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and from the servitude of corruption; liberty of access to God, and freedom of speech in prayer. The heart is set at liberty, and enlarged, to run the ways of God's commandments.
      • (2.) They have light; for with open face we behold the glory of the Lord, v. 18. The Israelites saw the glory of God in a cloud, which was dark and dreadful; but Christians see the glory of the Lord as in a glass, more clearly and comfortably. It was the peculiar privilege of Moses for God to converse with him face to face, in a friendly manner; but now all true Christians see him more clearly with open face. He showeth them his glory.
      • (3.) This light and liberty are transforming; we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory (v. 18), from one degree of glorious grace unto another, till grace here be consummated in glory for ever. How much therefore should Christians prize and improve these privileges! We should not rest contented without an experimental knowledge of the transforming power of the gospel, by the operation of the Spirit, bringing us into a conformity to the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.