2 Corinthians 3

2 Corinthians 3
A folio of Papyrus 46 (written ca. AD 200), containing 2 Corinthians 11:33–12:9. This manuscript contains almost complete parts of the whole Pauline epistles.
BookSecond Epistle to the Corinthians
CategoryPauline epistles
Christian Bible partNew Testament
Order in the Christian part8

2 Corinthians 3 is the third chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Timothy (2 Corinthians 1:1) in Macedonia in 55–56 AD/CE. This chapter is part of a section (from 2 Corinthians 2:14 to 5:19) which deals with Paul's authority as an apostle.

Baptist theologian John Gill writes that in this chapter, "the apostle clears himself from the charge of arrogance and self-commendation, and ascribes both the virtue and efficacy of his ministry, and his qualifications for it, to the Lord". Paul uses several contrasting ideas "such as 'letter of law/Spirit', 'death/life', 'old covenant/new covenant'" to compare the old or Mosaic relationship between God and his chosen people with a new relationship central to his teaching, "established by God through Christ".