Do we begin to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you, or recommendation from you?
2 Corinthians 3:1

“Note and Biblical Scripture References on 2 Corinthians
3:1″ The answers to both these questions is “no”. Paul is not saying letters of recommendation have no place. He himself sometimes recommended others (as read in 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; Romans 16:1-2 and 1 Corinthians 16:3, 10, 11). But here he is saying he needs no such thing for himself.

You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all men. 2 Corinthians 3:2

“Note and Biblical Scripture References on 2 Corinthians
3:2-3″ The believers at Corinth were themselves like a letter of recommendation for Paul. Comparing them to a letter the following things are said about them. They were written on the hearts of Paul and his co-workers (that is, Paul and others were conscious of the work of God done in them and they loved them dearly, as read in 2 Corinthians 7:3). They were no secret letter hidden in Paul’s heart, but a letter anyone could read (anyone could see the change in them produced by Paul’s ministry). The letter was “of” Christ (it was His plan, His message that produced the change in them). They were also the letter of Paul and his associates (Christ had used them in this work). They were produced by God’s Spirit (compare John 3:5-8). The “writing” was done in their hearts (the change in them was not merely outward but inward –See 2 Corinthians 5:17). Paul puts all this in contrast to God’s writing the law on tablets of stone. See Exodus 31:18; 32:15-16. Compare Jeremiah 31:33-34 and Hebrews 8:10-12. Now too God’s servants are working with God to produce “letters” – people profoundly and eternally changed by Christ’s gospel. Is there any higher privilege on earth than this work?

For you are clearly seen to be a letter of Christ, a result of our ministry, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of flesh, of the heart. 2 Corinthians 3:3

“Note and Biblical Scripture References on 2 Corinthians 3:3-11″ In these verses Paul contrasts the new covenant with the old. The old was a ministry which brought death (as seen in vers 6,7), but the new brought life (vers 6).The old was written on stone (as read in Exodus 31:18), but the new is written on people’s hearts (vers 3). The old was a ministry which condemned men, but the new removes condemnation and makes men righteous (as we can read in vers 9 and Romans 3:19-24). The old was “fading away” (as we can read in vers 11 and Hebrews 8:13), but the new is permanent (vers 11).
In short, the old covenant was in laws and commandments which could never change people’s hearts (See references at Exodus 19:5-6), but the new brings the ministry of God’s Spirit which makes men new (vers 3,6,8). So though the old had glory, the new has far more glory (see vers 8-11). It seems likely that some people had been troubling the Christians in Corinth by telling them they needed to keep the law of Moses. Compare Acts 15:1-2. So Paul shows them how much greater was the gospel he preached than the law they preached.

And we have such trust through Christ toward God.
2 Corinthians 3:4

“Note and Biblical Scripture Reference on 2 Corinthians 3:4” He was quite sure that God was using him in the work described above. Jesus Christ Himself gave him this assurance.

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to think anything as coming from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
2 Corinthians 3:5

“Note and Biblical Scripture Reference on 2 Corinthians 3:5” As read in 2 Corinthians 2:16. The above work is impossibly difficult for anyone who is not called and equipped by God. Paul’s confidence in the work was not self-confidence in his own abilities. He knew that God alone made him able to do what he did (as read in 1 Corinthians 15:10 and Colossians 1:29 and Compare John 15:5).

who indeed has made us able ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 3:6

“Note and Biblical Scripture References on 2 Corinthians 3:6” Everyone whom God sends on His work can and should have this confidence that God will make him able to do that work. On the new covenant see references at Matthew 26:28; Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:6-13. The Greek word translated “letter” here is not the same as in vers 2,3, and its meaning is completely different. By “letter” here Paul is referring to the old covenant with its laws, rules, and regulations. It brought death because no one ever fully kept it, and so it justly condemned people to death (as read in Romans 7:9-11 and Galatians 3:10. See also Romans 3:19-20; 4:15; 5:20; 8:3). But the new covenant brings life by God’s Spirit (as read in Romans 7:6; 8:2-4, 11 and John 3:5-8).

But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses, because of the glory on his countenance, which was passing away,
2 Corinthians 3:7

“Note and Biblical Scripture Reference on 2 Corinthians 3:7” “Face of Moses”– as we can read in Exodus 34:29-35.

how will the ministry of the Spirit not be even more glorious?
2 Corinthians 3:8

For if the ministry of condemnation is glorious, much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness. 2 Corinthians 3:9

For even what was made glorious has no glory in this respect: the fact of the glory that excels it.
2 Corinthians 3:10

For if what was passing away was glorious, what lasts is much more glorious. 2 Corinthians 3:11

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, 2 Corinthians 3:12

“Note and Biblical Scripture References on 2 Corinthians 3:12” “Hope”–As read in Romans 5:2-5; 8:23-25. This hope, this expectation of glorious things in the future made Paul very bold in the present, and so can we look at the great glorious things yet unseen.

unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the children of Israel could not steadily look on to the finish of what was passing away. 2 Corinthians 3:13

“Note and Biblical Scripture Reference on 2 Corinthians 3:13” Read Exodus 34:29-35. The sight of glory made the Israelites afraid. The new covenant does not bring fear but great hope, boldness and joy.

But their minds were blinded, for to this day the same veil remains in place when the old covenant is read, for this veil is taken away only in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:14

But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is on their heart. 2 Corinthians 3:15

However when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:16

“Note and Biblical Scripture Reference on 2 Corinthians 3:14-16” He now draws spiritual lessons from the veil Moses put on his face. In vers 14 he is speaking of those who were still under the old covenant – Jews and converts to the Jewish religion. Their minds are dull, a veil is on their hearts (vers 15). That is, they do not have a proper understanding of what they read in the Old Testament. See 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. And compare Jesus’ words to the Jews in John 5:39-40, 46, 47. Only Jesus Christ can take away the “veil” of darkness and misunderstanding and cause men to know the truth and to know God (as read in vers 14,16; Matthew 11:27 and John 8:12, 31, 32; 14:6).

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

“Note and Biblical Scripture Reference on 2 Corinthians 3:17” The Lord Jesus Christ and God’s Spirit are one in the same sense that the Father and the Son are one (as we can read in John 10:30; 14:9). God’s Spirit is called the Spirit of Christ as read in Rom 8:9. See references on the Trinity at Matthew 3:16-17.

“Liberty”– God’s Spirit gives many kinds of freedom: from the law (as we can read in Romans 7:4, 6; Galatians 5:18), from fear (as seen in Romans 8:15), from sin (as seen in Romans 6:14, 18).Also compare John 8:36.

But we all, with unveiled faces, seeing, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same likeness from glory to glory, altogether by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

“Note and Biblical Scripture References on 2 Corinthians 3:18” “Seeing”– all believers now see God’s glory in Christ (as read in 2 Corinthians 4:6). That is, if we have (received) spiritual understanding of it, an great enlightenment of the mind regarding it. But it is all like seeing in a poor mirror. As read in 1 Corinthians 13:12. Only a reflection appears, not the whole reality which every believers will see when face to face with Jesus Christ. But now all believers are being changed. The Greek word translated “transformed” appears only four times in the New Testament – here, See Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2; and Romans 12:2. It suggests an inward change that appears outwardly. In the case of Jesus Christ it meant a change in outward appearance that was in accordance with what He was inwardly. In the case of believers this is both an inner and an outward change, first inner, then outer. And it is a gradual process – “from glory to glory”. Compare Psalms 84:7 and Proverbs 4:18. Here and now God is making them more and more like Jesus Christ. Finally, at His coming, they shall become completely like Him (as we can clearly read in Romans 8:29 and 1 John 3:1-2). hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, all honor, praise and glory to our Lord of Lords, King of Kings, who reigns and is to come to fulfill His glorious new Kingdom. Amen!

Much LoVe, JoY, Peace and Blessings through Jesus Christ, our almighty, wonderful dear caring Lord, Saviour and Redeemer, in who we faithfully abide, trust, believe and abundantly do receive, throughout His marvelous righteous Word and truth fulfilling Holy Spirit ✝️🔥👑🙏🕊️

🌟 Emmanuel ✨