Bible Study: Adequate Through the Spirit — Ministers of the New Covenant 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
- David Campbell Jr.
- Oct 30
- 3 min read
Adequate Through the Spirit — Ministers of the New Covenant
📖 Text: 2 Corinthians 3:4–6✍️ Context: Paul continues to defend his apostolic ministry, showing that his confidence and sufficiency come not from human ability but from God. He contrasts the old covenant of the Law with the new covenant of the Spirit—one that gives life rather than condemnation.
I. Confidence in God through Christ (v.4)
“Such is the confidence we have through Christ before God.”
Greek Insight
Confidence – pepoithēsis (πεποίθησις): firm trust, assurance, reliance.
Through Christ – underscores the source of Paul’s confidence and relationship with God.
Before God – pros ton Theon: denotes living consciously in God’s presence.
Meaning & Theology
Paul’s ministry is sustained by a confidence rooted in Christ’s faithfulness. His assurance is not based on personal merit or reputation, but on what Christ has accomplished. True spiritual confidence grows out of communion with Christ.
Cross References
Philippians 1:6 — “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”
Hebrews 4:16 — “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence.”
II. Human Inadequacy and Divine Sufficiency (v.5)
“It is not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.”
Greek Insight
Competent / Adequate – hikanos (ἱκανός): qualified, sufficient, capable.
Claim anything – logisasthai ti (λογίσασθαι τι): to reckon or credit something to oneself.
Meaning & Theology
Paul openly acknowledges human insufficiency. Spiritual effectiveness is not achieved by self-effort or intellect but by God’s enabling grace. Ministry is therefore dependent upon divine sufficiency rather than human strength.
Cross References
John 15:5 — “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”
1 Corinthians 15:10 — “By the grace of God I am what I am.”
III. Ministers of the New Covenant (v.6a)
“He has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant…”
Greek Insight
Made us competent – hikanōsen hēmas (ἱκάνωσεν ἡμᾶς): to make qualified or capable.
Ministers – diakonous (διακόνους): servants, those who carry out divine work.
New Covenant – kainēs diathēkēs: “new” in kind—renewed and life-giving.
Meaning & Theology
Paul sees himself as a servant empowered by God to minister under the new covenant—the covenant of grace and the Spirit. This fulfills God’s promise in Jeremiah 31:31–34, where His law would be written on hearts, not stone.
Cross References
Jeremiah 31:31–34 — The prophecy of a new covenant.
Luke 22:20 — “This cup is the new covenant in My blood.”
IV. The Letter vs. The Spirit (v.6b)
“…not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
Greek Insight
Letter – gramma (γράμμα): written code or law.
Kills – apokteinō (ἀποκτείνω): to put to death.
Spirit – pneuma (πνεῦμα): the Holy Spirit who gives life.
Meaning & Theology
The “letter” refers to the old covenant law that could expose sin but not redeem the sinner. The “Spirit” is the agent of new life, bringing regeneration and transformation. The contrast is between external obedience and internal transformation.
Cross References
Romans 7:6 — “We serve in the new way of the Spirit, not in the old way of the written code.”
Galatians 3:21 — “If a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.”
John 6:63 — “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.”
Summary Table
Reflection Questions
Where does your confidence in serving God come from—your own strength or your relationship with Christ?
How have you experienced God’s sufficiency in areas where you felt inadequate?
What does living “by the Spirit” rather than “by the letter” look like in your daily life?
Journal Prompt
“Lord, help me to walk not in my own strength, but in Your Spirit. Let my confidence come from Christ alone, and may my life reflect the new covenant You’ve written on my heart.”
Closing Prayer
Father,Thank You that my adequacy and confidence come from You alone. Forgive me when I rely on my own abilities instead of Your Spirit. Make me a true minister of the new covenant—one who serves not by the letter that kills, but by the Spirit who gives life.Fill me afresh with Your presence and power, that I may reflect the glory of Christ in all I do.In Jesus’ name, amen.
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