Trying harder won’t fix the human heart, and that’s exactly why the new covenant is such good news. In this episode, Krisan Marotta walks us through 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, where Paul defends his ministry by pointing not to his qualifications, but to the life-giving work of the Spirit. Paul’s confidence doesn’t come from his own strength. It comes from what God is doing through him.
In this week’s episode, we explore:
- Why Paul calls the Corinthians his letter of recommendation.
- How Paul carefully walks the line between defending his ministry and boasting.
- How Paul compares his ministry to the ministry of Moses
- How the Spirit changes hearts in a way the Law never could
- Why the “Victorious Christian Life” reading of this passage misses Paul’s point
By listening, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of the difference between law and Spirit, external obedience and inward transformation, and why the gospel offers something better than a new strategy for self-improvement.
What’s New About the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:1-6)
In 2 Corinthians 3:1–6, Paul continues defending his ministry to the Corinthian church. Some in the church questioned his authority and demanded proof of his legitimacy. Paul responds by pointing to the Corinthian believers themselves as the evidence of his ministry and explains how his message brings life through the Spirit in a way the Law could not.
Paul’s Defense: No Letters Needed
Paul asks whether he needs to commend himself again or bring letters of recommendation.
- Paul walked a fine line between affirming the importance of his message and not boasting about himself.
- His ministry is critical because of the gospel message, not because of who he is personally.
- He is just a man, but nevertheless God chose him to preach the gospel as an apostle.
The Corinthians as Evidence of the Spirit’s Work
Paul expands the metaphor of the Corinthians as his “letter.”
- You give a letter of recommendation to someone who does not know you.
- Paul rejects the idea that he needs to reintroduce himself to the Corinthians.
- The changes in their lives testify that he preached the gospel to them.
- Paul describes himself as the deliveryman of this letter. God is its author.
- The transformation in Corinth came from God, not from Paul’s skill or power.
The Letter Kills but the Spirit Gives Life Explained
Paul introduces a contrast between the letter and the Spirit.
- “Letter” refers to the Old Testament Law.
- “Spirit” refers to the inner transformation that comes from the Holy Spirit.
- Paul claims that “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
Paul’s reference to the “new covenant” connects to Old Testament promises of heart transformation.
- Deuteronomy 30:4-6: Moses predicts God will circumcise hearts so that the people will love and follow Him.
- Ezekiel 36:22-28 God promises to remove hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh, putting His Spirit within His people.
- Jeremiah 31:31-34: God promises a new covenant in which He will write His law on people’s hearts and forgive their sins.
Each passage shows that the old covenant (the law) was not enough to change hearts. The new covenant brings both forgiveness and internal transformation through the Spirit. The Law gives good commands, but it cannot change a rebellious heart.
Is This About All Believers?
This passage has been central to debates about the so-called Victorious Christian Living (VCL) or Keswick theology.
- Proponents of VCL interpret the passage as referring to all believers.
- The debate centers over the question: Can we have victory over sin in our lives now and if so how?
- The central idea of VCL is that if we choose to plug in to the power of the spirit, we can experience victory and power.
- I think they make two mistakes interpreting this passage:
- 1) They fail to recognize Paul is talking about himself; and
- 2) Scripture teaches the Spirit is at work in all believers.
- The context shows Paul is defending his ministry, not offering a general theology of sanctification for all believers.
- Paul is describing how God made him adequate as an apostle.
- This is not a general strategy for how all Christians can defeat sin.
- The Spirit is at work in all believers, not just those who “access” it properly.
- The transformation is a promise of the new covenant, not a technique.
More:
Who are the Carnal Christians? (1 Corinthians 3:1-4)
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What’s New About the New Covenant
The new covenant doesn’t just offer help. It creates new people.
- The new covenant doesn’t depend on our effort to use the Spirit’s power.
- It depends on God’s promise to change our hearts.
- God gives believers a new heart and the Spirit to guide and sustain them.
Key Takeaways
- Paul defends his apostleship by pointing to the Spirit’s work in the Corinthian believers.
- The New Covenant offers heart transformation, not just external commands.
- “The letter kills” because the Law cannot change hearts. The Spirit gives life by doing just that.
- Paul’s adequacy as an apostle came from God, not from human skill or credentials.
- This passage is not a strategy for victorious living but a defense of Paul’s divinely appointed role.
- The gospel is good news because it changes us from the inside out, not because it gives us better tools to try harder.
God forgives us because of Jesus and his death on the cross. Then God gives us his Spirit to change us from the inside out so that we no longer turn away from him and rebellion, but actually seek him out and find life.
Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.
Next: 05 Why Paul’s Ministry Outshines Moses (2 Corinthians 3:7-18)
Previous: 03 Why Paul Refused to Change to Win More Converts (2 Corinthians 2:5-17)
Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts
Resources to help you study: 2 Corinthians
Photo by the author
Podcast season 26, episode 4