2 Corinthians 3

2 Corinthians 3:1-18 . THE SOLE COMMENDATION HE NEEDS TO PROVE GOD'S SANCTION OF HIS MINISTRY HE HAS IN HIS CORINTHIAN CONVERTS: HIS MINISTRY EXCELS THE MOSAIC, AS THE GOSPEL OF LIFE AND LIBERTY EXCELS THE LAW OF CONDEMNATION.

1. Are we beginning again to recommend ourselves ( 2 Corinthians 5:12 ) (as some of them might say he had done in his first Epistle; or, a reproof to "some" who had begun doing so)!
commendation--recommendation. (Compare 2 Corinthians 10:18 ). The "some" refers to particular persons of the "many" ( 2 Corinthians 2:17 ) teachers who opposed him, and who came to Corinth with letters of recommendation from other churches; and when leaving that city obtained similar letters from the Corinthians to other churches. The thirteenth canon of the Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451) ordained that "clergymen coming to a city where they were unknown, should not be allowed to officiate without letters commendatory from their own bishop." The history ( Acts 18:27 ) confirms the existence of the custom here alluded to in the Epistle: "When Apollos was disposed to pass into Achaia [Corinth], the brethren [of Ephesus] wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him." This was about two years before the Epistle,and is probably one of the instances to which Paul refers, as many at Corinth boasted of their being followers of Apollos ( 1 Corinthians 1:12 ).

2. our epistle--of recommendation.
in our hearts--not letters borne merely in the hands. Your conversion through my instrumentality, and your faith which is "known of all men" by widespread report ( 1 Corinthians 1:4-7 ), and which is written by memory and affection on my inmost heart and is borne about wherever I go, is my letter of recommendation ( 1 Corinthians 9:2 ).
known and read--words akin in root, sound, and sense (so 2 Corinthians 1:13 ). "Ye are known to be my converts by general knowledge: then ye are known more particularly by your reflecting my doctrine in your Christian life." The handwriting is first "known," then the Epistle is "read" [GROTIUS] ( 2 Corinthians 4:2 , 1 Corinthians 14:25 ). There is not so powerful a sermon in the world, as a consistent Christian life. The eye of the world takes in more than the ear. Christians' lives are the only religious books the world reads. IGNATIUS [Epistle to the Ephesians, 10] writes, "Give unbelievers the chance of believing through you. Consider yourselves employed by God; your lives the form of language in which He addresses them. Be mild when they are angry, humble when they are haughty; to their blasphemy oppose prayer without ceasing; to their inconsistency, a steadfast adherence to your faith."