2 Corinthians 3 (BHT-ATN)

1 Is it beginning to sound as if we are again trying to establish our own credibility?+ Surely we don’t need, do we, like some, letters from others that prove our credibility to you, or letters from you that prove it to others?+ 2 Our letter is you yourselves, written on our hearts, continually known and read by all people. 3 It isn’t difficult to see+ that you are a letter produced by the Messiah, the result of our ministry,+ written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God; written not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts.+

4 Such is the confidence that we have through the Messiah in the presence of+ God. 5 I am not saying that it is because of our own strength and ability that we are able to do all that we do,+ as if to consider the results of our work as having their source in us.+ No, our ability comes from God, 6 who has enabled us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letters on scrolls, but of the Spirit. The letters on scrolls, you see, condemn to death.+ The Spirit, however, gives life.

7 Now if even the ministry of death, carved on stone tablets in written characters, came with such glory that the people+ of Israel were unable to look directly+ at Moses’ face+ because of the glory shining from it,+ even though the brightness was already fading away, 8 how much more surely will the ministry of the Spirit itself be accompanied+ by even greater glory? 9 If the manifest glory of God was present+ even in the ministry of condemnation, you see, how much more abundantly is the ministry of righteousness rich in glory! 10 Indeed, what was once given glory pales in comparison to the glory that is so much greater.+ 11 If even that which was to fade away+ came with glory, you see, how much more will that which endures be accompanied+ by glory!

12 Therefore, since+ we have such a hope, it is with great boldness and openness that we carry out our ministry+— 13 unlike Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the people+ of Israel couldn’t look directly at the goal+ of that which was to fade away.+ 14 On the contrary, their minds were calloused.+ To this day the same veil remains, in fact, at the public reading of the old covenant, still unlifted, because only in the Messiah is it removed. 15 On the contrary, to this day, when the writings of Moses are being read, a veil lies over their understanding. 16 Yet whenever Moses+ goes back in “before the Lord,” he “takes off the veil.”+ 17 Now, “the Lord” here means the Spirit.+ And where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. 18 We, moreover, all of us, with unveiled faces, at the glory of the Lord gazing face to face as in a mirror,+ are being transformed from one degree of glory to another+ into his very image+—likewise the work of the Lord,+ the Spirit.

+1:2Lit the saints/holy ones. ME(OTB)/IT (see Timothy Miller, “Paul’s Priestly Mission and Salvation from the Coming Wrath: A Missiological Probe of Romans 15:16 and the Question of Divine Anger through the Worldview of Leviticus” [PhD diss., Columbia International University, 2024]).+1:2“All of” is drawn from the plural “you” here.+1:2Unless otherwise marked (through superscript—ˢyou), all second person pronouns are in the second person plural.+1:3Lit the God of all exhortation/help/encouragement/consolation. ME. Cf TEV.+1:4In Greek, the word παρακαλέω ( parakaleō) and its cognates have a wide range of meaning (console, encourage, exhort, urge, help, strengthen, etc; see, eg, NASB-Dic, 3870; L-N, 12.19), depending on the context. In this section, I have tried to give English readers a more wholistic sense of what Paul has in mind here. Cf 1 Th 3:2 and notes there.+1:4See notes at 1 Th 3:2.+1:5Lit For just as the sufferings of the Messiah abound to us. ME (see BDAG, 805, sv περισσεύω 1.a.β.)+1:5Lit so through the Messiah the strength/help/encouragement of us abounds, too. ME (see UBSHS [2 Co], 15).+1:6Or for your encouragement and deliverance.+1:6Lit for the of you encouragement/help, which is at work/which is effective/which produces. ME. Cf, eg, Php 1:12-13; 1 Th 1:6-10, 3:7. Paul is referring here to the effect his example (ie, how God has given him strength to endure) has on the other believers.+1:7Lit And our hope is firm concerning you. ME (see BDAG, 172, sv βέβαιος 1; Ibid, 319, ἐλπίς 1.a.; UBSHS [2 Co], 16). The content of the hope (“that the Corinthian Christians will continue in their faith despite the afflictions and suffering that they experience” [ UBSHS (2 Co), 16]; cf Php 1:6,1 Th 3:1-5) is signaled by the demonstrative pronoun in translation here.+1:7Or our, or his. The articles in this clause and the following clause are functioning anaphorically. The Messiah (see v 5a) and Paul and his companions (see vv 5-7) are both good contextual candidates for the anaphoric references here.+1:7Or our, or his. See previous note.+1:8Cf translation and note at 1 Co 10:1; TEV.+1:9Lit we have had the sentence of death in ourselves. ME (see UBSHS [1 Co], 19). Cf CJB, ISV, NET, NIV.+1:9Or who is going to raise the dead.+1:10Lit who.+1:10Lit so great a death. ME (see UBSHS [2 Co], 20).+1:10Lit in whom.+1:11Lit so that thanks are (or may be) given by many faces on our behalf for the gracious gift to us through many. ME (see BDAG, 1081, sv χάρισμα a; L-N, 9.9; UBSHS [2 Co], 21). The mismatch in languages here is obvious. Cf CEV, CJB, ISV, NAB, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, REB, TEV.+1:12Lit the testimony/witness of our conscience.+1:12Lit fleshly. ME (see ANLEX, 346, sv σαρκικός 2, 3; BDAG, 914, σαρκικός 2; notes at 1 Co 3:1). Cf NAB.+1:12Cf 1 Th 2:1-8.+1:12The NIV and TEV capture the meaning well here, in my opinion, and have thus been followed in translation.+1:13The presence of γὰρ ( gar) here (which signals that this information is being used to give strength and support to the preceding statements) makes Hughes’ interpretation (that Paul is referring to the Corinthians’ firsthand knowledge of his character; see ESS [2 Co], 44) more likely than that represented in some of the other examples offered in the UBSHS and ESS (see ESS [2 Co], 44; UBSHS [2 Co], 26). Paul isn’t making a random point about how he writes understandable letters. He is saying that when his readers hear the things he has been writing about in reference to his character and integrity, they would acknowledge the truth of what he is saying based on their firsthand experience of his life. This is similar to 1 Th 1:5 and 2:1-10. BSL defines ἐπιγινώσκω ( epiginōskō) in this context as “to discern something clearly and distinctly, or as true or valid; often with a personal acquaintance that necessitates a reaction” ( BSL, 2 Co 1:13, sv).+1:13Cf NCV; TEV.+1:14Cf 1 Co 4:1-5.+1:14Or For. Following CEV, NCV, NLT, TEV in the interpretation of ὅτι ( hoti) in this context (see ESS [2 Co], 45). Paul is referring here to the age to come, when each person’s life and work will be brought into the light (see 1 Co 4:1-5).+1:14Lit for we are your boast, even as we too are yours. ME (see DBL Greek, #3016; L-N, 33.368; cf also the parallel ideas in places like Ps 34:1-6, Ps 44:8). The copula here is functioning futuristically. Cf ESV, NLT, NIV, TEV.+1:14Cf 1 Th 2:19-20.+1:15Lit with this confidence. ME. Cf CJB, NAB, NCV.+1:15Lit a second gift/grace. ME (see ANLEX, 407, sv χάρις 3.b.; BDAG, 1080, sv χάρις 3.a.).+1:16Or through your city. Lit through you (ie, either by way of Corinth, or with the assistance of the Corinthians; see ESS [2 Co], 51).+1:17Lit When planning this, therefore, surely not then did I use the vacillation? ME/IT (see BDAG, 314, sv ἐλαφρία). In Greek, the particle οὖν ( oun) signals an inference from what precedes, as well as a new development, and can operate on various levels and boundaries of discourse (see Runge, Disc Grammar, 43-8). In this case, the inference is drawn partly from the IT (ie, “I made these plans [and as you know, and I didn’t come back to Corinth]. Therefore, was I being fickle?”). The IT has been made explicit in translation for the sake of clarity. Cf REB, UBSHS (2 Co), 29.+1:17Lit according to the flesh. ME. Cf NIV, REB.+1:17Lit Or the things that I plan/decide, do I decide according to the flesh, so that there may be with me the “Yes, yes” and the “No, no”? ME (see BDAG, 665, sv ναί e.; ESS [2 Co], 54-5; UBSHS [2 Co], 30). Cf CEV, ESV, HCSB, ISV, NCV, NET, NIV, NRSV, TEV+1:18Lit our word to you. In this context, λόγος ( logos—“word,” “message,” “statement,” “instruction,” etc) encompasses communications concerning plans, as well as the gospel message itself (see ESS [1 Co], 56; UBSHS [2 Co], 30).+1:18Cf NLT.+1:19Lit Silvanus. Silvanus and Silas are the same person (see UBSHS [2 Co], 31). Cf NIV, TEV.+1:19Cf Ac 14:3, 1 Co 1:4-9, 2:1-5; 1 Th 1:5.+1:21Cf 1 Co 1:8.+1:22Cf NIV, REB, TNT, TEV; L-N, 57.170.+1:24Lit not that we lord it over your faith. ME (see UBSHS [2 Co], 35). Cf CEV, NLT, TEV.+1:24Or in the faith.+2:1Lit I judged for myself this, the to not again come to you in grief. ME (see ESS [2 Co], 70; UBSHS [2 Co], 34). Cf ESV, HCSB, NET, NRSV, RSV.+2:2Lit If I grieve you, then who is the one going to cheer me/make me glad, except the one being grieved by/because of/from me? ME/EFE (see L-N, 25.131; UBSHS [2 Co], 37). Cf CJB, NET, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:3Lit having confidence about you all, that my joy is [the joy] of all of you. ME (see UBSHS [2 Co], 38). Cf CJB, ESV, HCSB, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NRSV, RSV, TEV.+2:5Lit in order not to burden/weigh down. ME (see ANLEX, 162, sv ἐπιβαρέω; BDAG, 368, sv ἐπιβαρέω).+2:7Lit lest he be swallowed up with more abundant grief. ME (see L-N, 25.285).+2:10Cf NCV.+2:10Lit in the face of. ME (I/F) (see L-N, 85.26).+2:12IT. Cf NLT.+2:15Cf Mt 10:40, Lk 9:48, Lk 10:16, Jn 13:20+2:15Translating in the same way as at 1 Co 1:18 (see translation and notes there).+2:16Lit from death to death. ME (cf 2 Co 3:18; Ps 83:8 in the LXX). Contra L-N (see L-N, 78.48) and the UBSHS (see UBSHS [2 Co], 51), other examples of ἐκ ( ek) with εἰς ( eis) in both the OT and NT (see, eg, Ps 84:5 [83:8 in the LXX]; 2 Co 3:18) argue against an exclusively idiomatic usage here; it is likely that degree is meant. Cf NAC (2 Co), 149; CJB, HCSB.+2:16Lit from life to life. ME (see preceding note).+2:16Lit And with respect to these things. ME. Cf REB in ESS (2 Co), 94.+2:16Cf 2 Co 11-12; 1 Th 1-2.+2:17Lit as from God. ME. Cf ISV, NIV, TEV.+2:17Lit before, or in the presence of. ME (see ESS [2 Co], 97; UBSHS [2 Co], 51). Cf ISV.+3:1Lit Do we again ourselves commend? ME (see UBSHS [2 Co], 55). Cf TEV.+3:1Lit Or do we need letters of commendation to you or from you? ME(H) (see UBSHS [2 Co], 55). Cf Ac 18:27, Rm 16:1-2. Cf CEV.+3:3Cf HCSB, TEV.+3:3Lit having been ministered by us. ME. Cf NIV (the UBSHS points to the NIV as the best model here [see UBSHS (2 Co), 57]).+3:3Cf Ezk 36:26-27.+3:4Or before, or toward.+3:5Cf NCV, TEV.+3:5Lit Not that we are able/competent/qualified from ourselves to consider anything as if of ourselves. ME (see UBSHS [2 Co], 58). Cf ESV, ISV, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV. ἱκανός ( hikanos) and its cognates touch both on the enabling of God and the sufficiency/adequacy/ability that results from it. In v 2:16 above, the focus seems to be on the standard/quality of life/integrity of witness that results from the (there implied) divine enabling, whereas here the focus is more on the divine enabling itself. Cf the LXX at Ex 4:10: “But Moses said to the Lord, ‘I beseech you, O Lord, I am not adequate...’ ” (LES). Cf 2 Co 11:16-12:10.+3:6Cf REB. The REB captures Paul’s intended meaning best here, in my opinion (cf, eg, Rm 5:12-21, 7:7-25, 8:1-11), and has therefore been followed in translation. Cf Lv 26; Dt 27-28.+3:7Lit sons. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 11.58).+3:7Or unable to continue looking at. Cf HCSB.+3:7Lit the glory of his face. A reference to Ex 34:29-34.+3:7Cf CJB, NLT.+3:8Cf CJB.+3:9Lit If glory was in... ME(OTB)/IT (see, eg, Ex 24:16; cf FSB, sv δόξα, 2 Co 3:7). Cf NLT at v 7.+3:10Lit What has been glorified has not been glorified in this part because of the surpassing glory. ME (see ESS [2 Co], 118; UBSHS [2 Co], 63). The mismatch in languages is obvious here. Cf NCV, NIV, NLT.+3:11Or that which was fading away, or that which fades away. Cf NAB. There is a switch to the neuter gender here. Cf v 13.+3:11Cf translation at v 8.+3:12The participle has been interpreted as an adverbial participle of cause. This is reflected in the translation. Cf ESV, ISV, LEB, NET, NIV, NKJV, NLT, NRSV, RSV, TEV+3:12Lit we proceed/act/behave with great boldness/courage. Looking to the context (vv 2:12-3:10) for Paul’s intent with χράομαι ( chraomai) here. Though speaking is certainly included in Paul’s purview here (see UBSHS [2 Co], 64; cf CEV, NAB, NJB, TNT, REB), the context indicates that the example and conduct of the apostles (cf NET; L-N, 41.14), the power of the Spirit, etc, are also in view. Hence the rendering here.+3:13Lit sons. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 11.58).+3:13Or end, or outcome, or purpose, or significance, or termination.+3:13Or of that which was fading away, or of that which fades away. Cf Mt 13:43; Ga 3:21; Col 1:27, 3:4; Heb 8-9; 1 Jn 3:2; Re 1:16.+3:14See translation and notes at Mt 13:12-15; Mk 3:5.+3:16Lit he. Cf Ex 34:34 (LXX); TEV.+3:16Or Yet when one turns to/returns to the Lord, the veil is removed. A reference/loose quotation of Ex 34:34 (see LXX). Cf TEV. Following Brenton and LES at Ex 34:34 in translation here. In Greek, neuter subjects and objects have the same form, and therefore τὸ κάλυμμα [ to kalumma] could be understood as either. In Ex 34:34, it functions as an object, with the verb functioning as a middle. The same has been followed here, therefore, in keeping with the interpretation adopted in the translation.+3:17Cf Ex 40:34-35; Lv 16:2; Nu 9:15; Is 63:10-12.+3:18Or the glory of the Lord reflecting as in a mirror. Cf Ex 33:11, 34:34-35; Nu 12:8; Dt 34:10.+3:18Lit from glory to glory. Cf translation and notes at 2 Co 2:16. Cf also CJB, ESV, ISV, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, NRSV, RSV, TEV.+3:18Or likeness.+3:18Lit just as from the Lord. ME (see UBSHS [2 Co], 70). Cf ESV, ISV, NCV, NIV, NLT, NRSV, RSV, and TEV at Mt 21:42.