2 Corinthians 3:6
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.
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's paradox 'the letter kills, but the spirit gives life' appears within his defense of apostolic ministry (2 Corinthians 3) and must be read in its context: the contrast is between the Mosaic covenant written on stone tablets and the new-covenant ministry writing on hearts through the Spirit. The 'letter' (gramma) is not merely literal reading versus allegorical reading — it is the Mosaic dispensation as a whole, whose glory was real but transient (vv. 7–11), contrasted with the eschatological age of the Spirit inaugurated by Christ. Augustine's hermeneutical principle — 'distinguish letter and spirit' — drawn from this verse shaped Western interpretation for centuries and is foundational for allegorical and spiritual reading traditions. The verse is important for understanding how Paul relates continuity and discontinuity between the two covenants.
Other Translations
who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
who also made us sufficient <FI>to be<Fi> ministrants of a new covenant, not of letter, but of spirit; for the letter doth kill, and the spirit doth make alive.
Who has made us able to be servants of a new agreement; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter gives death, but the Spirit gives life.
Cross References
Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall …
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and …
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a …
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for …
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, …
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and …