The Meaning of "of the Spirit" in 2 Corinthians 3:6
In 2 Corinthians 3:6, the Apostle Paul describes ministers of a "new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (NASB) [1]. This verse contrasts the old covenant, often associated with the written law, and the new covenant, which is characterized by the Spirit.
The term "Spirit" (Greek: pneuma) generally refers to wind or breath, but in biblical contexts, it frequently denotes the divine Spirit, the Holy Spirit [2]. In this passage, "of the Spirit" signifies that the new covenant is ministered by the Holy Spirit [6]. The Gospel itself is called the "ministration of the Spirit" because the Holy Spirit not only inspired its message but also conveys its power into the hearts of believers, leading to illumination, consolation, and spiritual growth [9].
The contrast between "the letter" and "the Spirit" is central to understanding this verse. "The letter" refers to the written law, which, when understood as a mere literal precept, brings death [6]. This is because the law, without the Spirit, reveals sin and condemns, but cannot provide the power to obey or to give life [1]. John Gill suggests that the law of Moses is meant by "Moses" in 2 Corinthians 3:15, and by extension, the "letter" refers to this law [5].
Conversely, "the Spirit gives life" [1]. This life-giving aspect is attributed to the Holy Spirit's work in regeneration and spiritual quickening [7]. The Spirit draws individuals to Christ, enabling them to believe the Gospel and become new creations [7, 10]. The presence of the Spirit in a believer's heart brings liberty, freeing them from the bondage of the letter [4]. This liberty is a result of the Spirit's gracious operation, leading to a consciousness of God's presence and prompting believers to prayer, love, and good works [3].
Some interpretations connect "the Lord" in 2 Corinthians 3:17 with "that Spirit" mentioned in verse 6, suggesting that Christ is the Spirit and the "end" of the Old Testament, giving life to it [4, 5]. This emphasizes that the new covenant, ministered by the Spirit, is intrinsically linked to Christ and His life-giving work. The Spirit's influence produces spiritual knowledge, long-suffering, kindness, and unfeigned love in believers [8].
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 3:6 (NASB) — who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Spirit — (Heb. ruah; Gr. pneuma), properly wind or breath. In 2 Thess. 2:8 it means "breath," and in Eccl. 8:8 the vital principle in man. It also denotes the rational, immortal soul by which man is distinguished (Acts 7:59; 1 Cor. 5:5; 6:20; 7:34), and the soul in its separate state (Heb. 12:23), and hence also an apparition (Job 4:15; Luke 24:37, 39), an angel (Heb. 1:14), and a demon (Luke 4:36; 10:20). This word is used also metaphorically as denoting a tendency (Zech. 12:10; Luke 13:11). In Rom. 1:4, 1 Tim. 3:16, 2 Cor. 3:17, 1 Pet. 3:18, it designates the divin”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Witness of the Spirit — (Rom. 8:16), the consciousness of the gracious operation of the Spirit on the mind, "a certitude of the Spirit's presence and work continually asserted within us", manifested "in his comforting us, his stirring us up to prayer, his reproof of our sins, his drawing us to works of love, to bear testimony before the world," etc.”
- 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 (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 3:6: able--rather, as the Greek is the same, corresponding to Co2 3:5, translate, "sufficient as ministers" (Eph 3:7; Col 1:23). the new testament--"the new covenant" as contrasted with the Old Testament or covenant (Co1 11:25; Gal 4:24). He reverts here again to the contrast between the law on "tables of stone," and that "written by the Spirit on fleshly tables of the heart" (Co2 3:3). not of the letter--joined with "ministers"; ministers not of the mere literal precept, in which the old law, as then understood, consisted; "but of the Spirit," th”
- 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 6:6: By . . . by, &c.--rather, as Greek, "In . . . in," implying not the instrument, but the sphere or element in which his ministry moved. knowledge--spiritual: in Gospel mysteries, unattainable by mere reason (Co1 2:6-16; Co2 3:6, Co2 3:17-18). long-suffering . . . kindness--associated with "charity" or "love" (Co1 13:4), as here. by the Holy Ghost--in virtue of His influences which produce these graces, and other gifts, "love unfeigned" being the foremost of them.”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 3:8: How shall not the ministration of the Spirit,.... By "the ministration of the Spirit", is meant the Gospel; so called not only because it ministers spiritual things, as peace, pardon, righteousness and salvation, spiritual joy and comfort, and even spiritual life; but because it ministers the Spirit of God himself, by whom it is not only dictated, and by him at first confirmed, and who qualities persons for the preaching of it; but by it he conveys himself into the hearts of men, and makes it powerful for illumination, consolation, edification, and an increase o”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 98: to be observed in the present day. Were a Turk to offer himself for baptism, we would not at once perform the rite without receiving a confession which was satisfactory to the Church. 25. Another passage which they adduce is from the third chapter of John, where our Saviour’s words seem to them to imply that a present regeneration is required in baptism, “Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” ( John 3:5 ). See, they say, how baptism is termed regeneration by the lips of our Lord ”