2 Corinthians 3:14 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

14 But G235 their G846 minds G3540 were blinded: G4456 for G1063 until G891 this day G4594 remaineth G3306 the same G846 vail G2571 untaken G3361 away G343 in G1909 the reading G320 of the old G3820 testament; G1242 which G3748 vail is done away G2673 in G1722 Christ. G5547

Cross Reference

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 STRONG

But G1161 if G1499 our G2257 gospel G2098 be G2076 hid, G2572 it is G2076 hid G2572 to G1722 them that are lost: G622 In G1722 whom G3739 the god G2316 of this G5127 world G165 hath blinded G5186 the minds G3540 of them which believe not, G571 lest G1519 G3361 the light G5462 of the glorious G1391 gospel G2098 of Christ, G5547 who G3739 is G2076 the image G1504 of God, G2316 should shine G826 unto them. G846

Romans 11:25 STRONG

For G1063 I would G2309 not, G3756 brethren, G80 that ye G5209 should be ignorant G50 of this G5124 mystery, G3466 lest G3363 ye should be G5600 wise G5429 in G3844 your own conceits; G1438 that G3754 blindness G4457 in G575 part G3313 is happened G1096 to Israel, G2474 until G891 G3739 the fulness G4138 of the Gentiles G1484 be come in. G1525

Acts 26:18 STRONG

To open G455 their G846 eyes, G3788 and to turn G1994 them from G575 darkness G4655 to G1519 light, G5457 and G2532 from the power G1849 of Satan G4567 unto G1909 God, G2316 that they G846 may receive G2983 forgiveness G859 of sins, G266 and G2532 inheritance G2819 among G1722 them which are sanctified G37 by faith G4102 that is in G1519 me. G1691

Ephesians 1:17-20 STRONG

That G2443 the God G2316 of our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 the Father G3962 of glory, G1391 may give G1325 unto you G5213 the spirit G4151 of wisdom G4678 and G2532 revelation G602 in G1722 the knowledge G1922 of him: G846 The eyes G3788 of your G5216 understanding G1271 being enlightened; G5461 that G1519 ye G5209 may know G1492 what G5101 is G2076 the hope G1680 of his G846 calling, G2821 and G2532 what G5101 the riches G4149 of the glory G1391 of his G846 inheritance G2817 in G1722 the saints, G40 And G2532 what G5101 is the exceeding G5235 greatness G3174 of his G846 power G1411 to G1519 us-ward G2248 who G3588 believe, G4100 according to G2596 the working G1753 of his G846 mighty G2479 power, G2904 Which G3739 he wrought G1754 in G1722 Christ, G5547 when he raised G1453 him G846 from G1537 the dead, G3498 and G2532 set G2523 him at G1722 his own G846 right hand G1188 in G1722 the heavenly G2032 places,

2 Corinthians 4:6 STRONG

For G3754 God, G2316 who G3588 commanded G2036 the light G5457 to shine G2989 out of G1537 darkness, G4655 G3739 hath shined G2989 in G1722 our G2257 hearts, G2588 to G4314 give the light G5462 of the knowledge G1108 of the glory G1391 of God G2316 in G1722 the face G4383 of Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547

Acts 16:14 STRONG

And G2532 a certain G5100 woman G1135 named G3686 Lydia, G3070 a seller of purple, G4211 of the city G4172 of Thyatira, G2363 which worshipped G4576 God, G2316 heard G191 us: whose G3739 heart G2588 the Lord G2962 opened, G1272 that she attended G4337 unto the things which were spoken G2980 of G5259 Paul. G3972

Matthew 16:17 STRONG

And G2532 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and said G2036 unto him, G846 Blessed G3107 art thou, G1488 Simon G4613 Barjona: G920 for G3754 flesh G4561 and G2532 blood G129 hath G601 not G3756 revealed G601 it unto thee, G4671 but G235 my G3450 Father G3962 which G3588 is in G1722 heaven. G3772

Romans 11:7-10 STRONG

What G5101 then? G3767 Israel G2474 hath G2013 not G3756 obtained G2013 that G5127 which G3739 he seeketh for; G1934 but G1161 the election G1589 hath obtained it, G2013 and G1161 the rest G3062 were blinded G4456 (According as G2531 it is written, G1125 God G2316 hath given G1325 them G846 the spirit G4151 of slumber, G2659 eyes G3788 that they should G991 not G3361 see, G991 and G2532 ears G3775 that they should G191 not G3361 hear;) G191 unto G2193 this G4594 day. G2250 And G2532 David G1138 saith, G3004 Let G1096 their G846 table G5132 be made G1096 a snare, G1519 G3803 and G2532 a trap, G1519 G2339 and G2532 a stumblingblock, G1519 G4625 and G2532 a recompence G1519 G468 unto them: G846 Let G4654 their G846 eyes G3788 be darkened, G4654 that they may G991 not G3361 see, G991 and G2532 bow down G4781 their G846 back G3577 alway. G1275

Acts 13:15 STRONG

And G1161 after G3326 the reading G320 of the law G3551 and G2532 the prophets G4396 the rulers of the synagogue G752 sent G649 unto G4314 them, G846 saying, G3004 Ye men G435 and brethren, G80 if G1487 ye have G2076 G1722 G5213 any word G3056 of exhortation G3874 for G4314 the people, G2992 say on. G3004

John 12:46 STRONG

I G1473 am come G2064 a light G5457 into G1519 the world, G2889 that G3363 whosoever G3956 believeth G4100 on G1519 me G1691 should G3306 not G3363 abide G3306 in G1722 darkness. G4653

John 12:40 STRONG

He hath blinded G5186 their G846 eyes, G3788 and G2532 hardened G4456 their G846 heart; G2588 that G3363 they should G1492 not G3363 see G1492 with their eyes, G3788 nor G2532 understand G3539 with their heart, G2588 and G2532 be converted, G1994 and G2532 I should heal G2390 them. G846

John 9:39-41 STRONG

And G2532 Jesus G2424 said, G2036 For G1519 judgment G2917 I G1473 am come G2064 into G1519 this G5126 world, G2889 that G2443 they which see G991 not G3361 might see; G991 and G2532 that they which see G991 might be made G1096 blind. G5185 And G2532 some of G1537 the Pharisees G5330 which G3588 were G5607 with G3326 him G846 heard G191 these words, G5023 and G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 Are G3361 G2070 we G2249 blind G5185 also? G2532 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto them, G846 If G1487 ye were G2258 blind, G5185 ye should G302 have G2192 no G3756 sin: G266 but G1161 now G3568 ye say, G3004 G3754 We see; G991 therefore G3767 your G5216 sin G266 remaineth. G3306

John 8:12 STRONG

Then G3767 spake G2980 Jesus G2424 again G3825 unto them, G846 saying, G3004 I G1473 am G1510 the light G5457 of the world: G2889 he that followeth G190 me G1698 shall G4043 not G3364 walk G4043 in G1722 darkness, G4653 but G235 shall have G2192 the light G5457 of life. G2222

Luke 24:44-46 STRONG

And G1161 he said G2036 unto them, G846 These G3778 are the words G3056 which G3739 I spake G2980 unto G4314 you, G5209 while G5607 I was yet G2089 with G4862 you, G5213 that G3754 all things G3956 must G1163 be fulfilled, G4137 which G3588 were written G1125 in G1722 the law G3551 of Moses, G3475 and G2532 in the prophets, G4396 and G2532 in the psalms, G5568 concerning G4012 me. G1700 Then G5119 opened he G1272 their G846 understanding, G3563 that they might understand G4920 the scriptures, G1124 And G2532 said G2036 unto them, G846 Thus G3754 G3779 it is written, G1125 and G2532 thus G3779 it behoved G1163 Christ G5547 to suffer, G3958 and G2532 to rise G450 from G1537 the dead G3498 the third G5154 day: G2250

Luke 24:25-27 STRONG

Then G2532 he G846 said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 O G5599 fools, G453 and G2532 slow G1021 of heart G2588 to believe G4100 G1909 all G3956 that G3739 the prophets G4396 have spoken: G2980 Ought G1163 not G3780 Christ G5547 to have suffered G3958 these things, G5023 and G2532 to enter G1525 into G1519 his G846 glory? G1391 And G2532 beginning G756 at G575 Moses G3475 and G2532 G575 all G3956 the prophets, G4396 he expounded G1329 unto them G846 in G1722 all G3956 the scriptures G1124 the things concerning G4012 himself. G1438

Luke 18:31-34 STRONG

Then G1161 he took G3880 unto him the twelve, G1427 and said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Behold, G2400 we go up G305 to G1519 Jerusalem, G2414 and G2532 all things G3956 that are written G1125 by G1223 the prophets G4396 concerning the Son G5207 of man G444 shall be accomplished. G5055 For G1063 he shall be delivered G3860 unto the Gentiles, G1484 and G2532 shall be mocked, G1702 and G2532 spitefully entreated, G5195 and G2532 spitted on: G1716 And G2532 they shall scourge G3146 him, and put G615 him G846 to death: G615 and G2532 the third G5154 day G2250 he shall rise again. G450 And G2532 they G846 understood G4920 none G3762 of these things: G5130 and G2532 this G5124 saying G4487 was G2258 hid G2928 from G575 them, G846 G2532 neither G3756 knew they G1097 the things which were spoken. G3004

Matthew 13:13-15 STRONG

Therefore G1223 G5124 speak I G2980 to them G846 in G1722 parables: G3850 because G3754 they seeing G991 see G991 not; G3756 and G2532 hearing G191 they hear G191 not, G3756 neither G3761 do they understand. G4920 And G2532 in G1909 them G846 is fulfilled G378 the prophecy G4394 of Esaias, G2268 which G3588 saith, G3004 By hearing G189 ye shall hear, G191 and G2532 shall G4920 not G3364 understand; G4920 and G2532 seeing G991 ye shall see, G991 and G2532 shall G1492 not G3364 perceive: G1492 For G1063 this G5127 people's G2992 heart G2588 is waxed gross, G3975 and G2532 their ears G3775 are dull G917 of hearing, G191 and G2532 their G846 eyes G3788 they have closed; G2576 lest at any time G3379 they should see G1492 with their eyes, G3788 and G2532 hear G191 with their ears, G3775 and G2532 should understand G4920 with their heart, G2588 and G2532 should be converted, G1994 and G2532 I should heal G2390 them. G846

Matthew 13:11 STRONG

He answered G611 and G1161 said G2036 unto them, G846 Because G3754 it is given G1325 unto you G5213 to know G1097 the mysteries G3466 of the kingdom G932 of heaven, G3772 but G1161 to them G1565 it is G1325 not G3756 given. G1325

Matthew 6:23 STRONG

But G1161 if G1437 thine G4675 eye G3788 be G5600 evil, G4190 thy G4675 whole G3650 body G4983 shall be G2071 full of darkness. G4652 If G1487 therefore G3767 the light G5457 that is G2076 in G1722 thee G4671 be darkness, G4655 how great G4214 is that darkness! G4655

Jeremiah 5:21 STRONG

Hear H8085 now this, O foolish H5530 people, H5971 and without understanding; H3820 which have eyes, H5869 and see H7200 not; which have ears, H241 and hear H8085 not:

Isaiah 59:10 STRONG

We grope H1659 for the wall H7023 like the blind, H5787 and we grope H1659 as if we had no eyes: H5869 we stumble H3782 at noonday H6672 as in the night; H5399 we are in desolate H820 places as dead H4191 men.

Isaiah 56:10 STRONG

His watchmen H6822 are blind: H5787 they are all ignorant, H3045 they are all dumb H483 dogs, H3611 they cannot H3201 bark; H5024 sleeping, H1957 lying down, H7901 loving H157 to slumber. H5123

Isaiah 44:18 STRONG

They have not known H3045 nor understood: H995 for he hath shut H2902 their eyes, H5869 that they cannot see; H7200 and their hearts, H3826 that they cannot understand. H7919

Isaiah 42:18-20 STRONG

Hear, H8085 ye deaf; H2795 and look, H5027 ye blind, H5787 that ye may see. H7200 Who is blind, H5787 but my servant? H5650 or deaf, H2795 as my messenger H4397 that I sent? H7971 who is blind H5787 as he that is perfect, H7999 and blind H5787 as the LORD'S H3068 servant? H5650 Seeing H7200 H7200 many things, H7227 but thou observest H8104 not; opening H6491 the ears, H241 but he heareth H8085 not.

Isaiah 26:10-12 STRONG

Let favour be shewed H2603 to the wicked, H7563 yet will he not H1077 learn H3925 righteousness: H6664 in the land H776 of uprightness H5229 will he deal unjustly, H5765 and will not H1077 behold H7200 the majesty H1348 of the LORD. H3068 LORD, H3068 when thy hand H3027 is lifted up, H7311 they will not see: H2372 but they shall see, H2372 and be ashamed H954 for their envy H7068 at the people; H5971 yea, the fire H784 of thine enemies H6862 shall devour H398 them. LORD, H3068 thou wilt ordain H8239 peace H7965 for us: for thou also hast wrought H6466 all our works H4639 in us.

Isaiah 25:7 STRONG

And he will destroy H1104 in this mountain H2022 the face H6440 of the covering H3875 cast over H3874 all people, H5971 and the vail H4541 that is spread H5259 over all nations. H1471

Isaiah 6:10 STRONG

Make the heart H3820 of this people H5971 fat, H8080 and make their ears H241 heavy, H3513 and shut H8173 their eyes; H5869 lest they see H7200 with their eyes, H5869 and hear H8085 with their ears, H241 and understand H995 with their heart, H3824 and convert, H7725 and be healed. H7495

Psalms 69:23 STRONG

Let their eyes H5869 be darkened, H2821 that they see H7200 not; and make their loins H4975 continually H8548 to shake. H4571

Ezekiel 12:2 STRONG

Son H1121 of man, H120 thou dwellest H3427 in the midst H8432 of a rebellious H4805 house, H1004 which have eyes H5869 to see, H7200 and see H7200 not; they have ears H241 to hear, H8085 and hear H8085 not: for they are a rebellious H4805 house. H1004

2 Corinthians 3:6 STRONG

Who G3739 also G2532 hath made G2427 us G2248 able G2427 ministers G1249 of the new G2537 testament; G1242 not G3756 of the letter, G1121 but G235 of the spirit: G4151 for G1063 the letter G1121 killeth, G615 but G1161 the spirit G4151 giveth life. G2227

Acts 28:26-27 STRONG

Saying, G3004 Go G4198 unto G4314 this G5126 people, G2992 and G2532 say, G2036 Hearing G189 ye shall hear, G191 and G2532 shall G4920 not G3364 understand; G4920 and G2532 seeing G991 ye shall see, G991 and G2532 not G3364 perceive: G1492 For G1063 the heart G2588 of this G5127 people G2992 is waxed gross, G3975 and G2532 their ears G3775 are dull G917 of hearing, G191 and G2532 their G846 eyes G3788 have they closed; G2576 lest G3379 they should see G1492 with their eyes, G3788 and G2532 hear G191 with their ears, G3775 and G2532 understand G4920 with their heart, G2588 and G2532 should be converted, G1994 and G2532 I should heal G2390 them. G846

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

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3 Matthew Henry Commentary


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.