Biblia Católica
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2 Corinthians, 3

1. Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some [others], epistles of commendation to you, or [letters] of commendation from you?

1. Am I again commending myself? Or do I need to present to you letters of recommendation as some do; or should I ask you for those letters?

2. Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

2. You are the letter. This letter is written in your inner self, yet all can read and understand it.

3. [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

3. Yes, who could deny that you are Christ's letter written by us - a letter written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, carved not in slabs of stones, but in hearts of flesh.

4. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

4. This is how we are sure of God, through Christ.

5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency [is] of God;

5. As for us we would not dare consider that something comes from us: our ability comes from God.

6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

6. He has even enabled us to be ministers of a new covenant no longer depending on a written text but on the Spirit. The written text kills, but the Spirit gives life.

7. But if the ministration of death, written [and] engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which [glory] was to be done away:

7. The ministry of the Law carved on stones brought death; it was nevertheless surrounded by glory and we know that the Israelites could not fix their eyes on the face of Moses, such was his radiance, though fleeting.

8. How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

8. How much more glorious will the ministry of the Spirit be!

9. For if the ministration of condemnation [be] glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

9. If there is greatness in a ministry which uses to condemn, how much more will there be in the ministry that brings holiness?

10. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

10. This is such a glorious thing that in comparison the former's glory is like nothing.

11. For if that which is done away [was] glorious, much more that which remaineth [is] glorious.

11. That ministry was provisory and had only moments of glory; but ours endures with a lasting glory.

12. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

12. Since we have such a great ambition, we are quite confident -

13. And not as Moses, [which] put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

13. unlike Moses, who covered his face with a veil. Otherwise the Israelites would have seen his passing radiance fade.

14. But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ.

14. They became blind, however; until this day, the same veil prevents them from understanding the Old Covenant and they do not realize that in Christ it is nullified.

15. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

15. Up to this very day, whenever they read Moses, the veil remains over their understanding

16. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

16. but, for whoever turns to the Lord, the veil shall be removed.

17. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there [is] liberty.

17. The Lord is spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

18. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.

18. So, with unveiled faces, we all reflect the Glory of the Lord, while we are transformed into his likeness and experience his Glory more and more by the action of the Lord who is spirit.



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Notas al pie:

3:2-3 - Paul praises the Corinthians as living epistles of Christ, known and read by all. Their spiritual transformation is visible and reflects the character of Christ in our lives (see also Matthew 5:16 and Philippians 2:15).

3:4-6 - Paul speaks of the confidence we have before God, not because we are sufficient, but because God empowers us through the Spirit. Grace is the foundation of Christian ministry, which is based not on human ability but on divine power (see also 2 Corinthians 4:7 and Philippians 4:13).

3:7-11 - Paul contrasts the old covenant, which brought death, with the new covenant in Christ, which brings life and glory. The superiority of the new covenant is evidenced by the abiding and effective Spirit (see also Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Hebrews 8:6).

03:18 - As we behold the glory of Christ, we are transformed from glory to glory, reflecting the image of God. Sanctification is an ongoing process in the believer's life, driven by the Spirit's action (see also Romans 12:2 and 1 John 3:2).

Versos relacionados con 2 Corinthians, 3:

2 Corinthians chapter 3 contrasts the old and new covenants. How does Paul describe the ministry of the Spirit? This revelatory text presents believers as living letters of Christ and compares the glory of the old covenant with the superior glory of the new. The chapter emphasizes themes such as sufficiency in God, freedom in the Spirit, and transformation into the image of Christ. Paul also reinterprets Moses' veil. Consider with us five biblical passages that elucidate the glorious principles of this profound chapter.

Exodus 34:29-30: "When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant in his hands, he did not know that his face shone from having spoken with the Lord. Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses with his shining face and were afraid to approach him." - This excerpt from the Old Testament is directly referenced by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:7-13, contrasting the old and new covenants.

Jeremiah 31:33: "This is the covenant that I will make with the community of Israel after those days', declares the Lord: 'I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'" - This prophetic verse is alluded to by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:3, speaking about the new covenant written in hearts.

Romans 8:2: "For through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death." - This passage complements Paul's discussion of the life-giving Spirit in 2 Corinthians 3:6.

John 4:24: "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth." - This verse relates to Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 3:17 that "the Lord is the Spirit."

Romans 12:2: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you are able to experience and prove the good, pleasant and perfect will of God." - This passage reflects the idea of transformation mentioned by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:18.

FAQ:

What is the difference between the old and new covenant?

The old covenant brought condemnation, while the new covenant, mediated by Christ, brings life and righteousness, offering inner transformation through the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:6-9)

How does Paul describe the glory of the new covenant?

The glory of the new covenant is superior because it is lasting and manifested through the Holy Spirit, who transforms hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:8-11)

What does the "veil" mentioned by Paul mean?

The "veil" symbolizes the spiritual blindness of the Israelites who cannot see the glory of Christ and the fullness of the new covenant. (2 Corinthians 3:14-16)

What does Paul teach about freedom in Christ?

Paul affirms that in Christ there is true freedom, for the Spirit frees us from sin and enables us to live according to God's will. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

How does the new covenant transform believers?

The new covenant, through the Holy Spirit, transforms believers by enabling them to reflect God's glory and live in obedience to His calling. (2 Corinthians 3:18)


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