Freedom and Liberty Through the Spirit in 2 Corinthians 3
The Apostle Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" [1]. This statement concludes a section where Paul contrasts the old covenant, characterized by a veil over the hearts of those who read Moses, with the new covenant, which offers freedom through the Spirit [4, 5].
The "Lord" in this verse refers to Christ [3]. John Gill suggests that "the Lord" can also refer to the Gospel of Christ, which he describes as "the very life and spirit of the law" [4]. The phrase "is that Spirit" or "is the Spirit" indicates that Christ is the Spirit spoken of earlier in 2 Corinthians 3:6, which gives life, in contrast to the "letter" that kills [3]. This Spirit is understood to reside in a person's "heart" [3].
The "liberty" mentioned in this verse signifies freedom from various forms of bondage. It implies freedom from the condemnation of the law, from the power of sin, and from the spiritual blindness that characterized the old covenant [3, 5]. This liberty is a direct result of the Spirit's presence and work [3]. The Rotherham translation renders "liberty" as "freedom," emphasizing this release [2]. This freedom allows believers to turn to the Lord with unveiled faces, reflecting His glory and being transformed into His image [5].
The concept of liberty through the Spirit is echoed in other biblical passages. For instance, John 8:36 states, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed," which is cross-referenced with 2 Corinthians 3:17 [3]. The idea of access to God through the Spirit is also found in Ephesians 2:18, where both Jews and Gentiles have "freedom of access" to the Father "by one Spirit" [6]. This spiritual freedom is a key aspect of the new covenant ministry, which Paul describes as "the ministration of the Spirit" [7].
The transformation described in 2 Corinthians 3:18, where believers are "being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another," is a process that leads to becoming more like Christ [5]. This present divine glory anticipates future likeness to Christ [5].
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. -- 2 Corinthians 3:17”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 3:17 (Rotherham) — And, the Lord, is, the Spirit: now, where the Spirit of one who is Lord [is, there is] freedom!”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 3:17: the Lord--Christ (Co2 3:14, Co2 3:16; Co2 4:5). is that Spirit--is THE Spirit, namely, that Spirit spoken of in Co2 3:6, and here resumed after the parenthesis (Co2 3:7-16): Christ is the Spirit and "end" of the Old Testament, who giveth life to it, whereas "the letter killeth" (Co1 15:45; Rev 19:10, end). where the Spirit of the Lord is--in a man's "heart" (Co2 3:15; Rom 8:9-10). there is liberty-- (Joh 8:36). "There," and there only. Such cease to be slaves to the letter, which they were while the veil was on their heart. They are free t”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 3:17: Now the Lord is that Spirit,.... "The Lord", to whom the heart is turned, when the veil is removed, is Jesus Christ; and he is "that Spirit", or "the Spirit": he, as God, is of a spiritual nature and essence; he is a spirit, as God is said to be, Joh 4:24 he is the giver of the Spirit of God, and the very life and spirit of the law, without whom as the end of it, it is a mere dead letter: or rather as by Moses in Co2 3:15 is meant, the law of Moses, so by the "Lord" here may be meant the Gospel of Christ: and this is that Spirit, of which the apostles were made”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 3:16: 3:16-18 The believer who turns to the Lord has freedom in the Spirit. We receive something Moses never knew as we become more and more like Christ (4:4; John 1:1-14; Col 1:15; Heb 1:1-4) and reflect the glory of the Lord. Divine glory in this present life leads to our being like Christ in the next life (Rom 8:29; Gal 4:19; Phil 3:21; 1 Jn 3:2).”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 2:18: For through him we both have an access, That is, both Jews and Gentiles; the Arabic version reads, "we both factions": being made one, and reconciled unto God, and having the Gospel of peace preached to both, they have through Christ freedom of access and boldness in it: by one Spirit unto the Father: they may come to God as the Father of spirits, and of mercies, who has made their souls or spirits, and bestowed his mercies on them in great abundance; and as the Father of Christ, and as their God and Father in Christ: and the rather they should consider him in th”
- 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 ”