Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 3:2

"Ye are our epistle, written in our hearts, known and read of all men;" — 2 Corinthians 3:2 (ASV)

You are our epistle. (Compare to 1 Corinthians 9:2). This is a most beautiful and happy turn given to the whole subject. The meaning is plain. It is that the conversion of the Corinthians, under the faithful labors of the apostle, was a better testimonial of his character and fidelity than any letters could be. To see the force of this, it must be remembered:

1. that Corinth was an exceedingly dissolute and abandoned place (see the Introduction to the first epistle);
2. that a large number of them had been converted, and a church organized;
3. that their conversion, and the organization of a church in such a city, were events that would be known abroad; and
4. that it had been accomplished entirely under the labor of Paul and his companions.

To their knowledge of him, therefore, and to his success there, he could confidently appeal as a testimonial of his character. The characteristics of this commendatory epistle he proceeds immediately to state. The general meaning is that they were the letter of recommendation which God had given to him, and that their conversion under his ministry was the public testimonial of his character, which all might see and read.

Written in our hearts. A few manuscripts and versions read thus: "your hearts;" and Doddridge has adopted this reading, and supposes that it means that the change produced not only in their external conduct, but in their inward temper, was so great, that all must see that it was an unanswerable attestation to his ministry.

But there is not sufficient authority for changing the text, nor is it necessary. The meaning is, probably, that this letter was, as it were, written on his heart. It was not merely that Paul had a tender affection for them, as Clarke supposes; nor was it that he regarded them as "a copy of the letter of recommendation from Christ written in his heart," according to the fanciful conceit of Macknight. Paul's idea seems to have been this: he is speaking of the testimonial which he had from God.

That testimonial consisted in the conversion of the Corinthians. This, he says, was written on his heart. It was not a cold letter of introduction, but it was such that, while it left him no room to doubt that God had sent him, it also affected his feelings and was engraved on his soul.

It was to him, therefore, far more valuable than any mere letter of commendation or of introduction could be. It was a direct testimonial from God to his own heart of his approbation, and of his having appointed him to the apostolic office. All the difficulty, therefore, which has been felt by commentators on this passage, may be obviated by supposing that Paul here speaks of this testimonial or epistle as addressed to himself, and as satisfactory to him. In the other characteristics which he enumerates, he speaks of it as fitted to be a letter commendatory of himself to others.

Known and read of all men. Corinth was a large, splendid, and dissipated city. Their conversion, therefore, would be widely known. Everyone would hear of it; and their reformation, their subsequent life under the instruction of Paul, and the attestation which God had given among them to his labors, was a sufficient testimonial to the world at large, that God had called him to the apostolic office.