φανερούμενοι ὅτι ἐστὲ κ. τ. λ.: being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ (sc., written by Christ), ministered by us (the Apostle conceiving of himself as his Master's amanuensis). ἐγγεγραμμένη οὐ μέλανι κ. τ. λ.: written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone but in tables that are hearts of flesh. This “writing” which the Corinthians exhibit is no writing with ink on a papyrus roll, but is the mystical imprint of the Divine Spirit in their hearts, conveyed through Paul's ministrations; cf. Jeremiah 31:33; Proverbs 7:3. And this leads him to think of the ancient “writing” of the Law by the “finger of God” on the Twelve Tables, and to contrast it with this epistle of Christ on tables that are not of stone but are “hearts of flesh” (see reff.). For σάρκινος (cf. λίθινος, ὀστράκινος) see on 2 Corinthians 1:12 above.

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Old Testament