(2Co 3:6) “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”  The “letter” could be referring to the Old Testament, the Law, of which men stumbled over. You see, instead of seeing the law was meant to reveal to hearts their sinfulness and thus turn to the sacrifice; men instead sought to merit eternal life through their keeping the letter (Rom 3:19-25).

(2Co 3:5) “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;”  Self reliance is from the blindness of the old nature. Have you power to make yourself well when sick? The believers looks to God alone for help. The believer clings to the goodness of God.

(2Co 3:3) “…ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ…written…with the Spirit of the living God;…in fleshy tables of the heart. (4) And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:”  In other words, Paul is believing they are what they profess to be – born again made children of God. Many profess, but their actions say few possess. He believes these would prove the claim by responding rightly.

(2Co 3:3) “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”   Notice that the second  half of this verse fulfills Ezekiel 11:19 and 36;36. Under the New Covenant, the New Testament, you and I, spiritual Jews by adoption paid by blood, are included.

(2Co 3:3) “Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”  Every believer is to so walk in the teachings of the New Testament that their life reveals those Words.

(2Co 3:2) “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:”  Notice closely: He didn’t say, “written on your hearts”, but “my heart”. The Holy Spirit enabled him to love them in such a way as to make them very much a part of himself. What does that mean? He would then give of himself for himself (them) in a way above what one can normally do. That….is seen in his entire ministry.

(2Co 3:1) “Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?” Shouldn’t be needed – right? I found people’s view of their pastor was from one of two things: did they see you as a hireling or as servant of God.

(2Co 2:17)  “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”   What keeps a person careful in the interpretation and sharing of Scripture (of sincerity), is being convinced that one is speaking for (in) Christ Jesus. That’s why it is dangerous to teach what someone has written “about” the Word of God instead of what the Holy Spirit has shown you.

(2Co 2:17)  “For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”  Men corrupted the message. True then; true now. The message of salvation has been corrupted leaving out three things: first, there is a need of desire to turn from one’s sinful life (repent); two, true salvation births one spiritually, so not covering a period of time, but instantaneous; and third, it changes the person giving them a desire to please God. This will be evident in their life’s actions.

(2Co 2:15) “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: (16)  To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (17)  For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”  The word “sufficient” here means among other things – “akin”. The question is, “Are you one of the born again, living for He Who saved you?” Do you smell “sweet” to your God?