"the letter killeth" true meaning in context

[George Antonios]

2Co 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.

V.6 the letter killeth – When Paul says the spirit (v.6) he defines that as the ministration of the spirit (v.8) – i.e. the preaching of the New Testament. He is not talking about spiritual applications of verses.

the letter killeth is defined as the old testament law in Rom 2:27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? And Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
The contrast in the last verse is the same as the contrast in 2Corinthians 3:6. And John 7:15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

So, again, that is defined as the law by the mentions of Moses (v.7, 13), the tables of stones (v.7), the ministration of death – as in, the letter killeth (v.7), and the old testament (v.14).

That the OT kills see Hebrews 2:2 & 10:38.

In Ezekiel 20:46-49, it was the spiritual interpretation that killed the unbelievers!

 

[BobRyan]

the letter killeth is defined as the old testament law in Rom 2:27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

Paul quotes the Law in the OT this way -

Eph 6:1-2

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (Ex 20:12) which is the first commandment with a promise, 3 so that it may turn out well for you, and that you may live long on the earth.

Instead of "ignore Ex 20:12 since it is in the OT"

 

[Clare73]

2Co 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.
V.6 the letter killeth – When Paul says the spirit (v.6) he defines that as the ministration of the spirit (v.8) – i.e. the preaching of the New Testament. He is not talking about spiritual applications of verses.

the letter killeth is defined as the old testament law in Rom 2:27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? And Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
The contrast in the last verse is the same as the contrast in 2Corinthians 3:6. And John 7:15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

So, again, that is defined as the law by the mentions of Moses (v.7, 13), the tables of stones (v.7), the ministration of death – as in, the letter killeth (v.7), and the old testament (v.14).

That the OT kills see Hebrews 2:2 & 10:38.

In Ezekiel 20:46-49, it was the spiritual interpretation that killed the unbelievers!

Agreed.. .

"The letter" does not mean the Biblical text, but rather "the law."
"The letter" (2 Corinthians 3:6) is the written code of "the law."
There is no contrast in Scripture between "the letter and the Spirit" of the Scriptures.
In context, the contrast is law vs. grace, works vs. faith, Old Covenant vs. New Covenant.

"The letter kills" because it curses all those who rely on it--the law (Galatians 3:10), because it must be kept perfectly to avoid the curse (Deuteronomy 27:26), which no one can do, so it condemns everyone to death--"the letter kills."

 

[eleos1954]

2Co 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.

V.6 the letter killeth – When Paul says the spirit (v.6) he defines that as the ministration of the spirit (v.8) – i.e. the preaching of the New Testament. He is not talking about spiritual applications of verses.

the letter killeth is defined as the old testament law in Rom 2:27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? And Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
The contrast in the last verse is the same as the contrast in 2Corinthians 3:6. And John 7:15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?

So, again, that is defined as the law by the mentions of Moses (v.7, 13), the tables of stones (v.7), the ministration of death – as in, the letter killeth (v.7), and the old testament (v.14).

That the OT kills see Hebrews 2:2 & 10:38.

In Ezekiel 20:46-49, it was the spiritual interpretation that killed the unbelievers!

The letter of the law (if tried to be kept without Christ) ... kills.

When one accepts Christ .... then the Holy Spirit comes and dwells in them .... and does what? Helps us overcome sin ... and what is sin? Transgression of the Law ... so we are no longer under the letter of the law ... but under the Spirit of the Law (influence of the Holy Spirit) doing His work in the believer .... helping us to overcome sin.

After one receives the Lord ... then one is led back to the law with the Holy Spirit helping them to keep it. We will mess up here and there, but are confident Christ will finish His work in us. This is sanctification ... and this continues throughout our earthly life.

The law doesn't go away .... sin is transgression of the law
we are given power to overcome sin (through The Holy Spirit) and this is the Spirit of the Law ....

sanctification

It’s the reciprocation of our love toward God. We are sanctified with the help of the Holy Spirit (Comforter) that Jesus gives us. Sanctification means to set a part or to make holy.

His Holy Spirit helps us in this process to become more like Christ. This is not a one time event; it’s a life long process (we stumble here and there). The process of sanctifying and purifying us (the works that Jesus does in the believer, and is not of ourselves) ... it is HIM working in us and through us. We are separated from the world. We are in the physical world but not of the world spiritually. Our mind (thinking) changes over time and therefore our actions also change. Our faith increases more and more as He faithfully works in us. Hebrews 12:2

Philippians 1:6
English Standard Version
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work (through the Holy Spirit) in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

What a wonderful promise! AMEN !!!!

 

[BrotherJJ]

2 Cor 3:7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

(MY NOTE: It's called ministration of death. Because it administers death. The laws' purpose is to expose & condemn without mercy sin. [Gal 3:10,17,22-25 which leads to death]

1 Cor 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

 

[George Antonios]

The letter of the law (if tried to be kept without Christ) ... kills.

When one accepts Christ .... then the Holy Spirit comes and dwells in them .... and does what? Helps us overcome sin ... and what is sin? Transgression of the Law ... so we are no longer under the letter of the law ... but under the Spirit of the Law (influence of the Holy Spirit) doing His work in the believer .... helping us to overcome sin.

After one receives the Lord ... then one is led back to the law with the Holy Spirit helping them to keep it. We will mess up here and there, but are confident Christ will finish His work in us. This is sanctification ... and this continues throughout our earthly life.

The law doesn't go away .... sin is transgression of the law
we are given power to overcome sin (through The Holy Spirit) and this is the Spirit of the Law ....

sanctification

It’s the reciprocation of our love toward God. We are sanctified with the help of the Holy Spirit (Comforter) that Jesus gives us. Sanctification means to set a part or to make holy.

His Holy Spirit helps us in this process to become more like Christ. This is not a one time event; it’s a life long process (we stumble here and there). The process of sanctifying and purifying us (the works that Jesus does in the believer, and is not of ourselves) ... it is HIM working in us and through us. We are separated from the world. We are in the physical world but not of the world spiritually. Our mind (thinking) changes over time and therefore our actions also change. Our faith increases more and more as He faithfully works in us. Hebrews 12:2

Philippians 1:6
English Standard Version
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work (through the Holy Spirit) in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

What a wonderful promise! AMEN !!!!

That was beyond the point of the study, which was simply to prove that "the letter killeth" is not a reference to the concept of literal interpretation.

Paul says "we are not under the law". Simple.