Exposition of 2 Corinthians 3:4 for Christian Living
Exposition of 2 Corinthians 3:4
Paul writes, "Such confidence we have through Christ toward God" [1]. This declaration appears at a pivotal moment in his second letter to the Corinthians, where he defends his apostolic ministry against critics who questioned his credentials and methods.
Literary Context
The verse concludes Paul's comparison between the old covenant ministry of Moses and the new covenant ministry of the Spirit. In 2 Corinthians 3:1–3, Paul has just argued that the Corinthian believers themselves are his "letter of recommendation," written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. Verse 4 then introduces the ground of his boldness: confidence rooted not in himself but in Christ. This confidence will carry through the remainder of chapter 3, where Paul contrasts the fading glory of Moses' face with the permanent glory of the new covenant [3].
The Nature of This Confidence
The Greek construction emphasizes that this confidence exists "through Christ" and is directed "toward God" [2]. Paul is not claiming self-sufficiency. Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown note that this ministry was "received [as] mercy" from God, and "the sense of 'mercy' received from God, makes men active" in their work [4]. The confidence is relational—mediated by Christ, oriented toward God—not a personal achievement.
Calvin observes that teachers would "cry aloud to no purpose" unless Christ, as the internal teacher through his Spirit, draws those given to him by the Father [3]. The apostle's boldness in ministry flows from the Spirit's work, not human eloquence or credentials. This aligns with Paul's earlier insistence that his sufficiency comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:5).
Historical Setting
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians around AD 55–56 to a congregation he had founded but which had become suspicious of his authority. Rival teachers had arrived in Corinth, likely bearing formal letters of recommendation, and had questioned whether Paul's suffering and weakness disqualified him as a true apostle. In response, Paul grounds his confidence not in external validation but in the transformative work of Christ among the Corinthians themselves.
Implications for Ministry
This verse establishes a pattern for Christian service: confidence in ministry is legitimate only when it rests on Christ's mediation and aims toward God's glory. Matthew Henry notes that Paul's constancy and sincerity in ministry flowed from this God-centered confidence [5]. The verse guards against both self-reliance and despair—ministers serve neither in their own strength nor without assurance, but with a confidence that is derivative, channeled through Christ.
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “Such confidence we have through Christ toward God; -- 2 Corinthians 3:4”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 3:4 (LITV) — And we have such confidence through Christ toward God;”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 56: say, preaching carrying spiritual quickening along with it. ( 2 Cor. 3:6 ), since teachers would cry aloud to no purpose, did not Christ, the internal teacher, by means of his Spirit, draw to himself those who are given him of the Father. Therefore, as we have said that salvation is perfected in the person of Christ, so, in order to make us partakers of it, he baptizes us “with the Holy Spirit and with fire,” ( Luke 3:16 ), enlightening us into the faith of his Gospel, and so regenerating us to be new creatures. Thus cleansed from ”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 4 (introduction): HIS PREACHING IS OPEN AND SINCERE, THOUGH TO MANY THE GOSPEL IS HIDDEN. (2Co. 4:1-18) Therefore--Greek, "For this cause": Because we have the liberty-giving Spirit of the Lord, and with unveiled face behold His glory (Co2 3:17-18). seeing we have this ministry--"The ministration of the Spirit" (Co2 3:8-9): the ministry of such a spiritual, liberty-giving Gospel: resuming Co2 3:6, Co2 3:8. received mercy--from God, in having had this ministry conferred on us (Co2 3:5). The sense of "mercy" received from God, makes men active for ”
- 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 4 (introduction): In this chapter we have an account, I. Of the constancy of the apostle and his fellow-labourers in their work. Their constancy in declared (Co2 4:1), their sincerity is vouched (Co2 4:2), an objection is obviated (Co2 4:3, Co2 4:4), and their integrity proved (Co2 4:5-7). II. Of their courage and patience under their sufferings. Where see what their sufferings were, together with their allays (Co2 4:8-12), and what it was that kept them from sinking and fainting under them (Co2 4:13 to the end).”