2 Corinthians – Chapter 3

New Testament • 18 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need (as some do) epistles of commendation to you, or from you?" — so begins 2 Corinthians 3. Moses stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 18 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and the work of the Spirit. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need (as some do) epistles of commendation to you, or from you?

2You are our epistle, written in our hearts, which is known and read by all men:

3Being manifested, that you are the epistle of Christ, ministered by us, and written: not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God: not in tables of stone but in the fleshly tables of the heart.

4And such confidence we have, through Christ, towards God.

5Not that we are sufficient to think any thing of ourselves, as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is from God.

6Who also hath made us fit ministers of the new testament, not in the letter but in the spirit. For the letter killeth: but the spirit quickeneth.

7Now if the ministration of death, engraven with letters upon stones, was glorious (so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance), which is made void:

8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather in glory?

9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory.

10For even that which was glorious in this part was not glorified by reason of the glory that excelleth.

11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is in glory.

12Having therefore such hope, we use much confidence.

13And not as Moses put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel might not steadfastly look on the face of that which is made void.

14But their senses were made dull. For, until this present day, the selfsame veil, in the reading of the old testament, remaineth not taken away (because in Christ it is made void).

15But even until this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.

16But when they shall be converted to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.

17Now the Lord is a Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

18But we all, beholding the glory of the Lord with open face, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Important Verses in 2 Corinthians 3

“Being manifested, that you are the epistle of Christ, ministered by us, and written: not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God: not in tables of stone but in the fleshly tables of the heart.”

2 Corinthians 3:3

“Who also hath made us fit ministers of the new testament, not in the letter but in the spirit. For the letter killeth: but the spirit quickeneth.”

2 Corinthians 3:6

“For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory.”

2 Corinthians 3:9

“But we all, beholding the glory of the Lord with open face, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord. ”

2 Corinthians 3:18

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, 2 Corinthians was written with the Corinthian church, reconciled to its apostle and to God in view. Chapter 3 of 13 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a apostolic teaching addressed to a Christian community with 18 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Moses appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need (as some do) epistles of commendation to you, or from you?" The chapter ends with: "But we all, beholding the glory of the Lord with open face, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as…" In terms of historical background, Paul's most personal letter, written after a painful crisis with the Corinthian church and attacks on his authority. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of 2 Corinthians around About AD 57, from Macedonia.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Paul

When It Was Written

About AD 57, from Macedonia

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, this chapter addresses specific questions facing early Christian communities. A pivotal line is verse 3: "Being manifested, that you are the epistle of Christ, ministered by us, and written: not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God: not in tables of stone…" The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 355). Here, Paul's suffering models participation in Christ's passion (CIC 618). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize worship and praise as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓The Holy Spirit is the giver of life who animates creation, the prophets, and the Church.
  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.

People in This Chapter

Moses3 mentions

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Leo the Great and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Paul's suffering models participation in Christ's passion (CIC 618). The passage calls believers to grasp that My grace is sufficient for you.

Let 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 about?

2 Corinthians 3 contains 18 verses. It opens with "Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need (as some do) epistles of commendation to you, or from you?" and closes with "But we all, beholding the glory of the Lord with open face, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as…". The book as a whole is epistle.

What is a key verse in 2 Corinthians 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "Being manifested, that you are the epistle of Christ, ministered by us, and written: not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God: not in tables of stone but in the fleshly…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Corinthians Chapter 3?

This chapter mentions Moses.

Who wrote 2 Corinthians and when?

The Apostle Paul. About AD 57, from Macedonia.

Related Chapters

Exodus 3Shares people and themes with this chapterLeviticus 1Shares people and themes with this chapterNumbers 4Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Prayer to the Holy Spirit🙏Holy Spirit Novena

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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