2 Corinthians 3:1-11

2 Corinthians 3:1-11

[1] Do we begin  again  to commend  ourselves?  need we,  as  some  others, epistles  of commendation  to  or  letters of commendation  from  [2] epistle  written  in  hearts,  known  and  read  of  all  men:  [3] Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared  to  the epistle  of Christ  ministered  by  written  not  with ink,  but  with the Spirit  of the living  God;  not  in  tables  of stone,  but  in  fleshy  tables  of the heart.  [4] And  such  trust  have we  through  Christ  to  God-ward:  [5] Not  that  sufficient  of  ourselves  to think  any thing  as  of  ourselves;  but  sufficiency  is of  God;  [6] Who  also  able  ministers  of the new  testament;  not  of the letter,  but  of the spirit:  for  the letter  killeth,  but  the spirit  giveth life.  [7] But  if  the ministration  of death,  written  and engraven  in  stones,  was  glorious,  so  that the children  of Israel  could  not  stedfastly behold  the face  of Moses  for  the glory  of his  countenance;  which  glory was to be done away:  [8] How  not  the ministration  of the spirit  rather  glorious?  [9] For  if  the ministration  of condemnation  be glory,  much  more  doth the ministration  of righteousness  exceed  glory.  [10] For  even  that which was made glorious  in  respect,  by reason  of the glory  that excelleth.  [11] For  if  that which is done away  was glorious,  much  more  that which remaineth  is glorious. 

What does 2 Corinthians 3:1-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul contrasted the ministry of Christians with the ministry of Moses. He did so to enable his readers to understand and appreciate the glory of their ministry and its superiority over that of the Mosaic economy.
"The countermissionaries in Corinth are, in some significant way, exponents of the Mosaic ministry. They are, to use the term imprecisely, "Judaizers."" [1]