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The Letter Killeth But The Spirit Giveth Life by ttalks(m): 1:53am On Jul 22, 2009
The above statement is a very popular one in the Christian world, but the problem is the meaning that has been generally ascribed to it.

The general meaning ascribed to the statement is as follows:



There is a claim that there is a letter of the word (logos) and the Spirit of the word (rhema); meaning that the understanding one gets from reading the words of the scripture is different from a supposed meaning gotten from the Spirit of God.

Also, it isn’t the understanding gotten from the logos that should be applied but that gotten from the rhema.

It is on the basis of this meaning ascribed to the statement that the popular belief among a lot of Christians that a particular verse of scripture can mean different things to different people in different situations is so rampant.



But understanding the word of God properly, such meanings are wrong. Such meanings are gotten when  the verse is being read in isolation and not within the context in which it was written.



Looking at the verse in isolation:



2 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)

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.



Such meanings could easily be gotten from isolated reading of this verse, but let’s look at the verse in it’s proper context:



2 Corinthians 3:2-9 (KJV)

(2)  Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

(3)  Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

(4)  And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:

(5)  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

(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.

(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:

(8 )  How shall not the[b] ministration of the spirit[/b] be rather glorious?

(9)  For if the[b] ministration of condemnation[/b] be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.



2 Corinthians 3:2-9 (ISV)

(2)  You are our letter, written in our hearts and known and read by everyone.

(3)  You are demonstrating that you are Christ’s letter, produced by our service, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

(4)  Such is the confidence that we have in God through Christ.

(5)  By ourselves we are not qualified to claim that anything comes from us. Rather, our credentials come from God,

(6)  who has also qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, which is not written but spiritual, because the written text brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

(7)  Now if the[b] ministry of death[/b] that was inscribed in letters of stone came with such glory that the people of Israel could not gaze on Moses’ face (because the glory was fading away from it),

(8 )  will not the[b] Spirit’s ministry[/b] have even more glory?

(9)  For if the[b] ministry of condemnation[/b] has glory, then the ministry of justification has an overwhelming glory.



2 Corinthians 3:2-9 (CEV)

(2)  But you are our letter, and you are in our hearts for everyone to read and understand.

(3)  You are like a letter written by Christ and delivered by us. But you are not written with pen and ink or on tablets made of stone. You are written in our hearts by the Spirit of the living God.

(4)  We are sure about all this. Christ makes us sure in the very presence of God.

(5)  We don’t have the right to claim that we have done anything on our own. God gives us what it takes to do all that we do.

(6)  He makes us worthy to be the servants of his new agreement that comes from the Holy Spirit and not from a written Law. After all, the Law brings death, but the Spirit brings life.
(7)  The[b] Law of Moses[/b] brought only the promise of death, even though it was carved on stones and given in a wonderful way. Still the Law made Moses’ face shine so brightly that the people of Israel could not look at it, even though it was a fading glory.

(8 )  So won’t the agreement that the Spirit brings to us be even more wonderful?

(9)  If something that brings the death sentence is glorious, won’t something that makes us acceptable to God be even more glorious?





We can see clearly from the verses above displayed in three different translations of the bible that the statement saying: “…the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life.” simply means that the old testament/covenant (the letter) kills while the new testament/covenant (the Spirit) gives life.

This can be seen through the verses that follow the verse where the statement was made (although it is already clear in verse 6 in the Contemporary English Version). This is because the verses following the verse in question further elaborate on the statement in it.

In verse 7, the letter was referred to as ministration of death/ministry of death/law of Moses.

In verse 8, the Spirit; which refers to the new testament in this context, is referred to as ministration of the Spirit/Spirit’s ministry/agreement that the Spirit brings to us.

In verse 9, the letter was referred to as ministration of condemnation/ministry of condemnation/something that brings the death sentence, while the Spirit was referred to as ministration of righteousness/ministry of justification/something that makes us acceptable to God.



These points gathered from the verses show that the letter is in reference to the law/old testament and the Spirit is in reference to the new testament. 

From the explanations given, the conclusion is that the word of God is to be understood as it is written. The only meaning to be gotten from it is that which comes from what is seen in the bible. The words written in the bible; particularly the new testament, are what are needed for a Christian to live by. We do not need any further enlightenment by any “spirit” on what has been presented to us in the bible.

The scriptures are inspired by the Holy Spirit, so it is only sensible to say that when you read them, you are reading what the Spirit has said.



John 6:63 (KJV)

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.


2 Timothy 3:16-17 (KJV)

(16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

(17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

1 Like

Re: The Letter Killeth But The Spirit Giveth Life by Nobody: 8:52am On Jul 22, 2009
ttalks:

From the explanations given, the conclusion is that the word of God is to be understood as it is written. The only meaning to be gotten from it is that which comes from what is seen in the bible. The words written in the bible; particularly the new testament, are what are needed for a Christian to live by. We do not need any further enlightenment by any “spirit” on what has been presented to us in the bible.

If the church were to adhere by the submissions you made here, how would preachers be able to manipulate scriptures and impose their will on the laity? How would they be able to smuggle tithing into christianity and instituitionalize it as a "compulsary" christian practise. How would they be able to make the establishment of churches a lucraive and profitable business?
Re: The Letter Killeth But The Spirit Giveth Life by Xvalier: 12:24pm On Jul 22, 2009
ttalks, you have said it all. You have correctly exegeted from scriptures the true meaning of that verse within the context of what The Spirit is teaching. Most people quote out of context and therefore misapply scripture.

Kindly note that for every scripture or doctrine taught in the Bible, there is only one (1) interpretation, however, many application. So a believer must properly Interprete as you have done, then apply.
Re: The Letter Killeth But The Spirit Giveth Life by Nobody: 1:00pm On Jul 22, 2009
Xvalier:

ttalks, you have said it all. You have correctly exegeted from scriptures the true meaning of that verse within the context of what The Spirit is teaching. Most people quote out of context and therefore misapply scripture.

Kindly note that for every scripture or doctrine taught in the Bible, there is only one (1) interpretation, however, many application. So a believer must properly Interprete as you have done, then apply.

Thanx for the highlighted above, however the irony is that several different meanings are being forced into scripture today by variuos users and preachers. Some preachers even tell ou that a scripture could have more than one meaning[manipulation] whilst some tell you that you can not understand simple scripture if they don't interprete it to you as they are the only ones the holy spirit as revealed the true meaning to. I just wonder why the holy spirit would give us scripture for our collective benefit incoded language
Re: The Letter Killeth But The Spirit Giveth Life by petres007(m): 7:30pm On Jul 22, 2009
Xvalier:

Kindly note that for every scripture or doctrine taught in the Bible, there is only one (1) interpretation

GBAM!!! wink

Jagoon:

If the church were to adhere by the submissions you made here, how would preachers be able to manipulate scriptures and impose their will on the laity? How would they be able to smuggle tithing into christianity and instituitionalize it as a "compulsary" christian practise. How would they be able to make the establishment of churches a lucraive and profitable business?

I tire o, haba! This ttalks sef! You wan spoil business for boys? Why na? grin grin grin
Re: The Letter Killeth But The Spirit Giveth Life by petres007(m): 7:48pm On Jul 22, 2009
But talking seriously, this devilish doctrine of "the letter killeth but the spirit gives life" is at the heart of the apostasy we see all around us today.

People keep receiving "rhema" that contradicts the scriptures and don't see nothing wrong with it.

I'll never forget how shocked I was when a "sister" said these very words to me, when I presented her with scriptures that clearly showed that certain beliefs/practices they held on to were wrong. And she was saying it with such confidence, and raising her voice,   undecided

Deception is bad o!

Anyway, human beings have always been known to not love the truth  cry
Re: The Letter Killeth But The Spirit Giveth Life by Nobody: 9:06am On Jul 23, 2009
petres_007:

But talking seriously, this devilish doctrine of "the letter killeth but the spirit gives life" is at the heart of the apostasy we see all around us today.
People keep receiving "rhema" that contradicts the scriptures and don't see nothing wrong with it.
I'll never forget how shocked I was when a "sister" said these very words to me, when I presented her with scriptures that clearly showed that certain beliefs/practices they held on to were wrong. And she was saying it with such confidence, and raising her voice, undecided
Deception is bad o!
Anyway, human beings have always been known to not love the truth cry

The truth is that people would rather believe their pastors than believe the bible. That apart most people are too lazy to search and study the scriptures and when you point out the scriptural truth to them they would rather not believe it if it is not coming from their so called men of god.
Re: The Letter Killeth But The Spirit Giveth Life by petres007(m): 9:51am On Jul 23, 2009
Jagoon:

The truth is that people would rather believe their pastors than believe the bible.
Sadly, you're right about this embarassed

And later when they're confronted, they'll deny that their allegiance is not to their pastor but to Christ undecided

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?
- Luke 6:46

Jagoon:

, most people are too lazy to search and study the scriptures and when you point out the scriptural truth to them they would rather not believe it if it is not coming from their so called men of god.

[deep sigh] embarassed

Yeah, I've noticed this "laziness" and man-worship. Though sometimes I don't think its mere laziness because people are very happy with the customised crap their men of gawds are feeding them with. Little wonder why they resist anyone who tries to present them with scriptures.

God help us!
Re: The Letter Killeth But The Spirit Giveth Life by Bobbyaf(m): 8:19am On Jul 26, 2009
I guess its called comfort zone. Nobody wants to be disturbed from their church family, and friends who all believe the same thing. It is some kind of self-deception if you ask me.
Re: The Letter Killeth But The Spirit Giveth Life by felixawe(m): 9:07pm On Feb 23, 2022
Am happy for your understanding .
Most people apply scriptural verses out of context in a bid to build doctrine.

If we adhere to the written code, we may not see God..... Beacuse it's not perfect and it's against the spirit . Through Christ death God has given us the Holy spirit to teach & guide us & not 5o condemn us.
Re: The Letter Killeth But The Spirit Giveth Life by Kobojunkie: 9:44pm On Feb 23, 2022
felixawe:
Am happy for your understanding .
Most people apply scriptural verses out of context in a bid to build doctrine.

If we adhere to the written code, we may not see God..... Beacuse it's not perfect and it's against the spirit . Through Christ death God has given us the Holy spirit to teach & guide us & not 5o condemn us.
That is actually untrue! undecided

The Old Covenant Law of Moses, YHWH, which you consider here as written code came with a promise of Life or Death to those of the blood of Jacob. There was no promise that they would see God after it all, this because the Old Law was not designed by God to fire men from the curse He placed on mankind in Genesis 3 vs 16 - 22. - a curse which rendered all of mankind unfit to enter into God's Holy place. Yes, the law included a day for men to observe Holiness, but that was only one out of seven days and hence not perfect. undecided

The New Covenant Law, Jesus Christ, is referred to as a perfect Law because it is designed to restore man back to his original state, before the fall of man - by saving man from the curse in Genesis 3 vs 16 - 22 - and this through a rebirth of a spiritual kind where man is born of Spirit(eternal life) and man through knowing the the Truth(knowledge of good and evil) is transformed to becoming a son of God, a Holy and acceptable vessel worthy of God Himself to live inside of. All those who become Sons of God can enter into God's everlasting presence whereas on the other side is hell for those who fail.undecided

Order than this huge difference, the two Laws pretty much follow similar patterns. They both are bona-fide eternal Laws with laws/commandments to submit to and obey. The Old Covenant has a total of 613 commandments whereas the New Covenant has about 100 commandments. The New Covenant promises eternal life to all those who believe in Jesus Christ with a final destination of Heaven for those who succeed at becoming Sons of God, and Hell for those who fail at it. undecided


So, in essence, to get a good grasp of what Paul is in fact trying to tell the Jewish Christians of his time in 2 Corinthians 3 vs 1 - 9, you need more than just a shallow understanding of the two Covenants to know He was not there condemning the Old Law.... after all Jesus Christ lived His earthly life in obedience of it. He, Paul, was simply, pointing out to the Jewish Christians were redeemed by Jesus Christ from the Old Law why it was expedient they begin to obey instead the New Law. undecided

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