2 Corinthians 3:17

2 Corinthians 3:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
• New Living Translation (NLT)For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Context of 2 Corinthians 3:17

15Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17 word by word

ὁ δὲ κύριος τὸ πνεῦμά ἐστιν· οὗ δὲ τὸ πνεῦμα κυρίου ἐλευθερία.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Nowδέde · thenG1161
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• that Spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• whereοὗhou · whitherG3757
• thereἐκεῖekei · thereG1563
• libertyἐλευθερίαeleutheria · freedomG1657

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 3:17

• 2 Corinthians 3:6He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
• John 6:63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
• 1 Corinthians 15:45So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.
• Psalms 51:12Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
• Isaiah 61:1The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
• Romans 8:2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
• Galatians 4:6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.”
• 2 Timothy 1:7For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 3:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Now the Lord is that Spirit - In 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 3:8, the word , spirit, evidently signifies the Gospel; so called because it points out the spiritual nature and meaning of the law; because it produces spiritual effects; and because it is especially the dispensation of the Spirit of God. Here Jesus Christ is represented as that Spirit, because he is the end of the law for justification to every one that believes; and because the residue…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Now the Lord is that Spirit - The word “Lord” here evidently refers to the Lord Jesus; see 2 Corinthians 3:16. It may be observed in general in regard to this word, that where it occurs in the New Testament unless the connection require us to understand it of God, it refers to the Lord Jesus. It was the common name by which he was known; see John 20:13; John 21:7, John 21:12; Ephesians 4:1, Ephesians 4:5. The design of Paul in this verse seems to be to…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-18Verses 12-18 It is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness, or clearness, of speech. The Old Testament believers had only cloudy and passing glimpses of that glorious Saviour, and unbelievers looked no further than to the outward institution. But the great precepts of the gospel, believe, love, obey, are truths stated as clearly as possible. And the whole doctrine of Christ crucified, is made as plain as human language can make it…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-18Believers who turn to the Lord find freedom in the Spirit. We gain something Moses never experienced as we become more like Christ (4:4; John 1:1–14; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:1–4) and reflect the Lord's glory. Experiencing divine glory in this life helps us become like Christ in the next life (Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 14-1814-18. Parenthetical: Of Christians in general. He resumes the subject of the ministry, 2Co 4:1. minds--Greek, "mental perceptions"; "understandings." blinded--rather, "hardened." The opposite to "looking steadfastly at the end" of the law (2Co 3:13). The veil on Moses' face is further typical of the veil that is on their hearts. untaken away ... which veil--rather, "the same veil ... remaineth untaken away [literally, not unveiled], so that they do not…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 3:17

• Holy Spirit
• Mysteries
• Trinity

In the dictionaries

• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Moses
• Plainness
• Spirit
• Sufficiency
• Untaken
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Covenant, the New
• Exodus, the Book of
• Galatians, Epistle to the

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings