2 Corinthians 3:6

Who also hath made us able ministers None of the old English versions have given the threefold repetition of the word by St Paul, who writes, -Who hath made us sufficientministers." The word St Paul uses signifies the having reached a certain standardof ability.

of the new testament We must dismiss all notions here of the book called the "New Testament." The word in the original (see note on 1 Corinthians 11:25) signifies both testamentand covenant. The latter should be the rendering here. St Paul is contrasting the Mosaic with the Christian covenant. There is also no article. The Apostle's meaning may be thus paraphrased: -Who hath endowed us with qualifications sufficient for us to become the ministers of a new covenant." It is not to the covenant, but to its newness, that the Apostle would here ask our attention.

not of the letter, but of the spirit See Jeremiah 31:31-34, and Ezekiel 11:19, before cited. There is an obvious reference to these passages in the text. The difference between the old covenant and the new was that the former prescribed, the latter inspired; the former gave written precepts, the latter the power to fulfil them; the former laid down the rules, the latter brought man's heart into the condition in which such rules became a part of his nature. "The old form was superseded by the principle. Instead of saying, -Thou shalt not say Fool, or Raca," Christ gave the principle of Love." Robertson. The words -of the letter," and -of the spirit," however, depend not on the word covenant, but on the word ministers. See also Rom 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:24 and notes. Also, for the expression, Romans 2:27; Romans 7:6. "What then, was not that law spiritual? How then did he say, -We know that the law is spiritual?" Spiritual indeed, for it came from God, but it bestowed not a spirit" Chrysostom.

for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life Quykeneth, Wiclif. Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:45. The formal enactment, whether positive or negative, can only kill. For while it makes no difference whatever in the condition of the man who fulfils it, it condemns him who disobeys or neglects to perform its precepts. See John 3:17-18; Romans 3:20; Romans 4:20; Romans 5:13; Romans 7:10. The spirit, the breath or influence proceeding from God, can only give life, since it comes from Him who is life, and by breathing into man a new heart, enables him to perform naturally, without the aid of any enactments, the things that are pleasing to God. "The law, if it lay hold of a murderer, putteth him to death; the Gospel, if it lay hold of a murderer, enlighteneth and giveth him life." Chrysostom. Cf. John 6:63; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Galatians 6:8; 1 Peter 3:18. Calvin remarks on a singular misconception of the meaning of this passage by Origen and others, who supposed that the reading of Scripture would be useless or even injurious, unless it were allegorically expounded. "Sensus ad Origenis damnata dogmata rejiciendus." Estius.