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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/3-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/47_2Co_03_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Corinthians 3:17 - The Glory of the New Covenant" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. <a href="/kjv/2_corinthians/3.htm">King James Bible</a> Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/nkjv/2_corinthians/3.htm">New King James Version</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/nasb_/2_corinthians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. <a href="/nasb/2_corinthians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/nasb77/2_corinthians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/lsb/2_corinthians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. <a href="/amp/2_corinthians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom]. <a href="/csb/2_corinthians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. <a href="/hcsb/2_corinthians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. <a href="/asv/2_corinthians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/cev/2_corinthians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same, and the Lord's Spirit sets us free. <a href="/erv/2_corinthians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/gwt/2_corinthians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> This Lord is the Spirit. Wherever the Lord's Spirit is, there is freedom. <a href="/gnt/2_corinthians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> Now, "the Lord" in this passage is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. <a href="/isv/2_corinthians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Lord's Spirit is, there is freedom. <a href="/msb/2_corinthians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. <a href="/net/2_corinthians/3.htm">NET Bible</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. <a href="/nheb/2_corinthians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/wbt/2_corinthians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/wey/2_corinthians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now by "the Lord" is meant the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is enjoyed. <a href="/web/2_corinthians/3.htm">World English Bible</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_corinthians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the LORD is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the LORD [is], there [is] liberty; <a href="/blb/2_corinthians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. <a href="/ylt/2_corinthians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; <a href="/slt/2_corinthians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord, there freedom.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_corinthians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now the Lord is a Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/cpdv/2_corinthians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now the Spirit is Lord. And wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/nabre/2_corinthians/3.htm">New American Bible</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. <a href="/nrsvce/2_corinthians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_corinthians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now the LORD is that very Spirit: and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/2_corinthians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But The Spirit is THE LORD JEHOVAH, and wherever The Spirit of THE LORD JEHOVAH is, there is freedom.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/2_corinthians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/godbey/2_corinthians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But the Lord is a Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/haweis/2_corinthians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/mace/2_corinthians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for the spiritual meaning of the law centers in him, and the spirit of the law is gospel-liberty: <a href="/wey/2_corinthians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Now by "the Lord" is meant the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, freedom is enjoyed. <a href="/worrell/2_corinthians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/worsley/2_corinthians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. <a href="/parallel/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ddheG4hMg28?start=547" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/3.htm">The Glory of the New Covenant</a> …16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Now</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrios (N-NMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">Lord</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneuma (N-NNS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">Spirit,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">and</a> <a href="/greek/3757.htm" title="3757: hou (Adv) -- Where, whither, when, in what place. Genitive case of hos as adverb; at which place, i.e. Where.">where</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneuma (N-NNS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">Spirit</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyriou (N-GMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">of the Lord is,</a> <a href="/greek/1657.htm" title="1657: eleutheria (N-NFS) -- Freedom, liberty, especially: a state of freedom from slavery. From eleutheros; freedom.">there is freedom.</a> 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/8-32.htm">John 8:32</a> Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a> It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. <a href="/romans/8-2.htm">Romans 8:2</a> For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. <a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a> God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” <a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Galatians 5:13</a> For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. <a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15</a> For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1</a> The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, <a href="/john/14-17.htm">John 14:17</a> the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. <a href="/romans/8-9.htm">Romans 8:9-11</a> You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. / But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. / And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. <a href="/galatians/4-6.htm">Galatians 4:6</a> And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a> I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a> However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. <a href="/isaiah/61-3.htm">Isaiah 61:3</a> to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. <a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a> But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” <a href="/isaiah/11-2.htm">Isaiah 11:2</a> The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.the Lord.<a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">2 Corinthians 3:6</a> 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.<a href="/john/6-63.htm">John 6:63</a> It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.<a href="/1_corinthians/15-45.htm">1 Corinthians 15:45</a> And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.where.<a href="/psalms/51-12.htm">Psalm 51:12</a> Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.<a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm">Isaiah 61:1</a> The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;<a href="/romans/8-2.htm">Romans 8:2,15,16</a> For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/romans/15-24.htm">Enjoyed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-10.htm">Free</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-29.htm">Freedom</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-16.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/job/17-12.htm">Is</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-29.htm">Liberty</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-13.htm">Meant</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-9.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/4-15.htm">Enjoyed</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/5-4.htm">Free</a> <a href="/galatians/2-4.htm">Freedom</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-1.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/1_john/4-4.htm">Is</a> <a href="/galatians/2-4.htm">Liberty</a> <a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Meant</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-18.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">2 Corinthians 3</div>1. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-1.htm">Lest their false teachers should charge him with vain glory, </a> 2. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-2.htm">he shows the faith of the Corinthians to be a sufficient commendation of his ministry.</a> 6. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">Whereupon entering a comparison between the ministers of the law and of the gospel,</a> 12. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-12.htm">he proves that his ministry is so far the more excellent, </a> 17. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">as the gospel of life and liberty is more glorious than the law of condemnation.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_corinthians/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_corinthians/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Now the Lord is the Spirit This phrase emphasizes the unity and divinity of the Holy Spirit within the Trinity. In the context of 2 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the new covenant, contrasting it with the old covenant of the Law. The Spirit represents the new covenant, bringing life and freedom, as opposed to the letter of the Law, which brings death (<a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm">2 Corinthians 3:6</a>). This statement aligns with <a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>, where Jesus declares that God is Spirit, highlighting the spiritual nature of true worship. The Holy Spirit is also seen as the active presence of God in the world, guiding and empowering believers, as seen in <a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a>.and where the Spirit of the Lord is This phrase indicates the presence and influence of the Holy Spirit among believers. The Spirit's presence is transformative, bringing about change in the lives of individuals and communities. In the Old Testament, the Spirit of the Lord came upon individuals for specific purposes, such as empowering leaders like Samson (<a href="/judges/14-6.htm">Judges 14:6</a>) or inspiring prophets (<a href="/ezekiel/11-5.htm">Ezekiel 11:5</a>). In the New Testament, the Spirit dwells within all believers, as promised by Jesus in <a href="/john/14-16.htm">John 14:16-17</a>, signifying a new era of direct and personal relationship with God.there is freedom Freedom here refers to liberation from the bondage of the Law and sin. In the context of 2 Corinthians, Paul contrasts the old covenant, which brought condemnation, with the new covenant of the Spirit, which brings righteousness and life (<a href="/2_corinthians/3-9.htm">2 Corinthians 3:9</a>). This freedom is not a license to sin but a call to live in the Spirit, as Paul elaborates in <a href="/galatians/5.htm">Galatians 5:1</a>, where he urges believers to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given. This freedom also includes the ability to approach God with boldness, as the veil that once separated humanity from God's presence has been removed through Christ (<a href="/hebrews/10-19.htm">Hebrews 10:19-22</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth to address various issues and to defend his apostleship. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_corinthian_church.htm">The Corinthian Church</a> The recipients of the letter, a diverse and often troubled congregation in the city of Corinth, known for its cultural and moral challenges. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_holy_spirit.htm">The Holy Spirit</a> Referred to as "the Spirit of the Lord" in this verse, emphasizing the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers. 4. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the preceding context refers to Moses and the veil, contrasting the old covenant with the new covenant in Christ. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_new_covenant.htm">The New Covenant</a> The context of this passage highlights the transition from the old covenant, represented by the law, to the new covenant of grace through Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_identity_of_the_spirit.htm">The Identity of the Spirit</a> The verse identifies the Lord as the Spirit, emphasizing the unity and divinity of the Holy Spirit within the Trinity. This understanding is crucial for recognizing the Spirit's role in the believer's life. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_the_spirit.htm">Freedom in the Spirit</a> The freedom mentioned is not a license to sin but liberation from the bondage of the law and sin. It is the freedom to live righteously and in accordance with God's will. <a href="/topical/t/transformation_through_the_spirit.htm">Transformation through the Spirit</a> The presence of the Spirit brings transformation. Believers are being transformed into the image of Christ, which is a process of sanctification. <a href="/topical/c/contrast_with_the_old_covenant.htm">Contrast with the Old Covenant</a> The old covenant, represented by the law, brought condemnation, while the new covenant in the Spirit brings life and freedom. This highlights the superiority of the new covenant. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_the_spirit.htm">Living in the Spirit</a> Believers are called to live by the Spirit, which involves daily submission and reliance on the Spirit's guidance and power.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_corinthians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) Now the Lord is that Spirit.--Better, the Lord is the Spirit. The words seem at first inconsistent with the formulated precision of the Church's creeds, distinguishing the persons of the Godhead from each other. We apply the term "Lord," it is true, as a predicate of the Holy Spirit when we speak, as in the Nicene Creed, of the Holy Ghost as "the Lord, and Giver of life," or say, as in the pseudo-Athanasian, that "the Holy Ghost is Lord;" but using the term "the Lord" as the subject of a sentence, those who have been trained in the theology of those creeds would hardly say, "The Lord" (the term commonly applied to the Father in the Old Testament, and to the Son in the New) "is the Spirit." We have, accordingly, to remember that St. Paul did not contemplate the precise language of these later formularies. He had spoken, in <a href="/2_corinthians/3-16.htm" title="Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.">2Corinthians 3:16</a>, of Israel's "turning to the Lord;" he had spoken also of his own work as "the ministration of the Spirit" (<a href="/2_corinthians/3-8.htm" title="How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?">2Corinthians 3:8</a>). To turn to the Lord--i.e., to the Lord Jesus--was to turn to Him whose essential being, as one with the Father, was Spirit (<a href="/john/4-24.htm" title="God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.">John 4:24</a>), who was in one sense, the Spirit, the life-giving energy, as contrasted with the letter that killeth. So we may note that the attribute of "quickening," which is here specially connected with the name of the Spirit (<a href="/2_corinthians/3-6.htm" title="Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.">2Corinthians 3:6</a>), is in <a href="/john/5-21.htm" title="For as the Father raises up the dead, and vivifies them; even so the Son vivifies whom he will.">John 5:21</a> connected also with the names of the Father and the Son. The thoughts of the Apostle move in a region in which the Lord Jesus, not less than the Holy Ghost, is contemplated as Spirit. This gives, it is believed, the true sequence of St. Paul's thoughts. The whole verse may be considered as parenthetical, explaining that the "turning to the Lord" coincides with the "ministration of the Spirit." Another interpretation, inverting the terms, and taking the sentence as "the Spirit is the Lord," is tenable grammatically, and was probably adopted by the framers of the expanded form of the Nicene Creed at the Council of Constantinople (A.D. 380). It is obvious, however, that the difficulty of tracing the sequence of thought becomes much greater on this method of interpretation.Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.--The Apostle returns to the more familiar language. To turn to the Lord, who is Spirit, is to turn to the Spirit which is His, which dwelt in Him, and which He gives. And he assumes, almost as an axiom of the spiritual life, that the presence of that Spirit gives freedom, as contrasted with the bondage of the letter--freedom from slavish fear, freedom from the guilt and burden of sin, freedom from the tyranny of the Law. Compare the aspect of the same thought in the two Epistles nearly contemporary with this:--the Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, those children being partakers of a glorious liberty (<a href="/context/romans/8-16.htm" title="The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:">Romans 8:16-21</a>); the connection between walking in the Spirit and being called to liberty (<a href="/context/galatians/5-13.htm" title="For, brothers, you have been called to liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.">Galatians 5:13-16</a>). The underlying sequence of thought would seem to be something like this: "Israel, after all, with all its seeming greatness and high prerogatives, was in bondage, because it had the letter, not the Spirit; we who have the Spirit can claim our citizenship in the Jerusalem which is above and which is free" (<a href="/context/galatians/4-24.htm" title="Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which engenders to bondage, which is Agar.">Galatians 4:24-31</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_corinthians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - Now the Lord is that Spirit. The "but" (Authorized Version, "now") introduces an explanation. To whom shall they turn? To the Lord. "But the Lord is the Spirit." The word "spirit" could not be introduced thus abruptly and vaguely; it must refer to something already said, and therefore to the last mention of the word "spirit" in ver. 3. The Lord is the Spirit, who giveth life and freedom, in antithesis to the spirit of death and legal bondage (see ver. 6; and comp. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-45.htm">1 Corinthians 15:45</a>). The best comment on the verse is <a href="/romans/8-2.htm">Romans 8:2</a>, "For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." All life and all religion had become to St. Paul a vision of all things in Christ. He has just said that the spirit giveth life, and, after the digression about the moral blindness which prevented the Jews from being emancipated from the bondage of the letter, it was quite natural for him to add, "Now the Lord is the Spirit to which I alluded." The connection in which the verse stands excludes a host of untenable meanings which have been attached to it. There is liberty. The liberty of confidence (ver. 4), and of frank speech (ver. 12), and of sonship (<a href="/galatians/4-6.htm">Galatians 4:6, 7</a>), and of freedom from guilt (<a href="/john/8-36.htm">John 8:36</a>); so that the Law itself, obeyed no longer in the mere letter but also in the spirit, becomes a royal law of liberty, and not a yoke which gendereth to bondage (<a href="/james/1-25.htm">James 1:25</a>; <a href="/james/2-12.htm">James 2:12</a>) - a service, indeed, but one which is perfect freedom (<a href="/romans/5-1.htm">Romans 5:1-21</a>; <a href="/1_peter/2-16.htm">1 Peter 2:16</a>). <a href="/commentaries/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Now δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. the Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Lord Κύριος (Kyrios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Spirit, Πνεῦμά (Pneuma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. and δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. where οὗ (hou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3757.htm">Strong's 3757: </a> Where, whither, when, in what place. Genitive case of hos as adverb; at which place, i.e. Where. the τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Spirit Πνεῦμα (Pneuma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. of [the] Lord [is], Κυρίου (Kyriou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. [there is] freedom. ἐλευθερία (eleutheria) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1657.htm">Strong's 1657: </a> Freedom, liberty, especially: a state of freedom from slavery. From eleutheros; freedom. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">2 Corinthians 3:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Corinthians 3:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Corinthians 3:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Corinthians 3:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Corinthians 3:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>