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Trinity/After Pentecost · The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

2 Corinthians 3:4-11

Ministers of a New Covenant

August 23, 2026

Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid, Johannes Vermeer
Woman Writing a Letter, with her Maid, Johannes Vermeer, c. 1670–1671National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
A woman writes while her servant waits at the window, looking out, entirely uninterested. A crumpled letter and a seal lie on the floor.You are a letter of Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. Paul makes the comparison, and this is a letter being written.Johannes VermeerA Delft painter who left about thirty-five pictures, worked slowly, died in debt, and was forgotten for two centuries.National Gallery of Ireland, DublinIreland's national collection, where this painting hung unrecognised in a nearby Jesuit house until 1990.National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelMark 7:31-37Mk 7:31-37
Epistle2 Cor. 3:4-112 Cor 3:4-11Alt. EpistleRom. 10:9-17Rom 10:9-17
Old TestamentIsa. 29:17-24Is 29:17-24
PsalterPs. 146Ps 146

Overview & Insights

"who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:6)

Paul says his confidence comes through Christ toward God, who has made him and his fellow workers competent as ministers of a new covenant of the Spirit rather than the letter. He contrasts the fading glory that shone on Moses' face with the far greater and lasting glory of the ministry of righteousness.

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Commentary

Enduring Word Bible Commentary 2 Corinthians Chapter 3Enduring Word Bible Commentary 2 Cor Chapter 3 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the new covenant of the Spirit and the surpassing glory.

2 Corinthians 3:4 Commentaries2 Cor 3:4 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries on the letter that kills and the Spirit that gives life in one place.

2 Corinthians 3 Commentary2 Cor 3 Commentary Precept Austin

A deep gathering of word studies and cross references worked verse by verse through the new covenant contrast.

2 Corinthians 3, Expository Notes2 Cor 3, Expository Notes StudyLight

Thomas Constable's expository notes on the ministry of the Spirit and the fading and lasting glory.

Background & Word Study

Book of 2 Corinthians OverviewBook of 2 Cor Overview BibleProject

An animated overview of 2 Corinthians that frames Paul's defense of his new covenant ministry.

2 Corinthians 3:4 Greek Interlinear2 Cor 3:4 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing for competence, the new covenant, the letter, and the Spirit.

The Church Fathers

Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3 from the Church FathersCommentary on 2 Cor 3 from the Church Fathers Catena

Patristic comment gathered verse by verse on the letter that kills and the Spirit that gives life.

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