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
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, …
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and …
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have …
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a …
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a …
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of …
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament …
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, …