Illustrated New Testament2 Corinthians 3

Do we begin? must we begin? is it necessary?

The meaning is, that the feelings of attachment and regard which subsisted between Paul and the Corinthian church were universally known.

The epistle of Christ ministered by us; the work of Christ, performed by our instrumentality.—Tables; tablets.

Such trust; such confidence.—Through Christ to God-ward; in God through Christ.

Not of the letter; not of the written law, that is, of the Old Testament dispensation.—Of the spirit; off the gospel, which had yet been communicated thus far chiefly by direct spiritual influences, and not by written records.—Killeth; denounces death.

The ministration of death; the ministration of that covenant which denounced death.—In stones; referring to the two tables of stone on which the ten commandments were written.—Was glorious; in respect to the circumstances of its first promulgation. Allusion is here made to the account recorded in Ex. 34:29, 30.—Was to be done away; was temporary and transient.

The ministration of the Spirit, that is, of the gospel promulgated by the agency of the Spirit.

No glory in this respect; that is, in comparison with the glory of the new dispensation.

Put a veil over his face; symbolical of the mystery under which spiritual truth was veiled, in the old dispensation; so that the children of Israel could not understand the true end and design of these temporary ordinances, which were enjoined upon them.

Which veil is done away; which mystery is solved.

When it shall turn; that is, when the heart of the children of Israel shall turn.

That Spirit; the spirit spoken of in v. 6,—namely, the spiritual dispensation. The Lord is the foundation and support of it.—Liberty; freedom from the darkness and bondage in which the soul had often been enveloped under the old dispensation.