Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 3

Behind each of the two questions in this verse, both of which expect the answer “no,” stands an actual or expected charge against Paul. Since he had just spoken of the distinctive role of apostles (2:14–16) and of his own divine commission and authority (2:17; cf. 1:12; 1 Corinthians 4:15–16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Corinthians 14:18; 1 Corinthians 15:10), some of the Corinthians might say, “Paul, once again you are indulging in your notorious habit of self-commendation.” Furthermore, some of “the many” who were profiting from preaching (2:17) had undoubtedly been making a charge like this: “Since Jerusalem is the starting point of Christianity, anyone working outside that city must be able to give proof of his apostolic commission by letters of recommendation from the believers there. We brought you Corinthians such commendatory letters, and you yourselves have supplied us with such when we have visited other places. Why should you regard Paul as an exception? Does not his unconcern about letters of recommendation prove he is an intruder and impostor?” Paul is not here disparaging the use of letters “of recommendation” (GK 5364). He himself had sought epistolary credentials from the high priest at Jerusalem before setting out for the synagogues of Damascus (Acts 9:2; Acts 22:5), and their use within the Christian world was established (see Ac 15:22, 25–27; 18:27). Paul himself wrote what amounted to commendatory letters (Romans 16:1–2; 1 Corinthians 16:3, 10–11; 2 Corinthians 8:16–24).

His opponents apparently carried letters as their credentials, probably not from the three Jerusalem “pillars” (Galatians 2:9) or the Twelve, but from the Pharisaic wing of the Jerusalem church, who regarded the scrupulous observance of the Mosaic law as essential for salvation (Acts 15:5) and were unable to distinguish between the law-abiding conduct of the Twelve and legalistic teaching.

The latter of the two questions posed in v.1 Paul now answers explicitly. He insists that for him to carry commendatory letters to Corinth would be completely superfluous. The most complimentary letter he could possibly possess had already been written (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:2). Their very lives as men and women “in Christ,” the result of the grace of Christ operative in his apostolic ministry, were an eloquent letter that all could read. To bring another letter would amount to a personal insult to the Corinthians.

The letter imagery is further developed and explained. This letter was not a human document recorded in ink on papyrus. Nor was it a divine composition, such as the Decalogue, engraved on inanimate tablets of stone (Exodus 31:18; 32:15– 16). Rather, the letter was authored by Christ, was “written by the Spirit of the living God,” and was indelibly inscribed on living tablets, sensitive human hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26). Proof of Paul’s genuineness was to be found not in written characters but in human characters.

So Paul delivers a powerful rebuttal to his opponents. His commendatory letter had been written before theirs; it was indelible; it was widely circulated, not confidential or unpublished; and its author was Christ, not a partisan group within the Jerusalem church.

The latter of the two questions posed in v.1 Paul now answers explicitly. He insists that for him to carry commendatory letters to Corinth would be completely superfluous. The most complimentary letter he could possibly possess had already been written (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:2). Their very lives as men and women “in Christ,” the result of the grace of Christ operative in his apostolic ministry, were an eloquent letter that all could read. To bring another letter would amount to a personal insult to the Corinthians.

The letter imagery is further developed and explained. This letter was not a human document recorded in ink on papyrus. Nor was it a divine composition, such as the Decalogue, engraved on inanimate tablets of stone (Exodus 31:18; 32:15– 16). Rather, the letter was authored by Christ, was “written by the Spirit of the living God,” and was indelibly inscribed on living tablets, sensitive human hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 11:19; Ezekiel 36:26). Proof of Paul’s genuineness was to be found not in written characters but in human characters.

So Paul delivers a powerful rebuttal to his opponents. His commendatory letter had been written before theirs; it was indelible; it was widely circulated, not confidential or unpublished; and its author was Christ, not a partisan group within the Jerusalem church.

Paul’s confidence before God in claiming that the Corinthians were a letter written by Christ that validated his apostolic credentials came through Christ (v.1). It was not the product of a pious wish or imagination. Still speaking of this confidence before God, he disowns any ability to form a competent judgment on the results of his own ministry or any personal right to lay claim to the results of what was in reality God’s work. Paul’s confidence came through Christ and his competence came from God.

Paul’s confidence before God in claiming that the Corinthians were a letter written by Christ that validated his apostolic credentials came through Christ (v.1). It was not the product of a pious wish or imagination. Still speaking of this confidence before God, he disowns any ability to form a competent judgment on the results of his own ministry or any personal right to lay claim to the results of what was in reality God’s work. Paul’s confidence came through Christ and his competence came from God.