New King James Version
2 Corinthians 3:17
17Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
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.
- New International Version (NIV)Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
- 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
15But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16Nevertheless when one 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 liberty. 18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 32 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.
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 3:17
- 2 Corinthians 3:6who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
- John 6:63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
- 1 Corinthians 15:45And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
- Psalms 51:12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
- Isaiah 61:1“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
- Romans 8:2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
- Galatians 4:6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
- 2 Timothy 1:7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries