Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 3:17

What does 2 Corinthians 3:17 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 3:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 3:17 means

Paul identifies the presence and power at work: “the Lord is the Spirit,” and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. He does not blur the persons of the Trinity but affirms their inseparable work. The Lord’s presence is communicated by the Spirit, who frees. This liberty includes freedom from the veil of hardness, from condemnation under the letter, and from bondage to sin. It is also freedom for access, worship, and transformation. The Spirit’s indwelling means believers are no longer confined to a mediated, fading glory; they share open, living communion with God. Liberation is the atmosphere of the new covenant.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there the heart is free.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord <FI>is<Fi> , there <FI>is<Fi> liberty;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now the Lord is a Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now the Lord is the Spirit, but where the Spirit of [the] Lord [is, there is] liberty.

Context

Verse 17 follows the promise of unveiled sight (v. 16) by naming its agent and effect: the Lord present by the Spirit, producing liberty. This prepares for the climax in verse 18, where believers, now unveiled and free, behold the Lord’s glory and are transformed into his image. The movement is cohesive: unveiled by turning, liberated by the Spirit, and progressively changed by sustained beholding, in contrast to Moses’ temporary, veiled radiance.

v.16But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

v.17This passage

v.18But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 61:1

    The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

  • Galatians 4:6

    And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

  • Galatians 5:13

    For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.

  • Romans 8:2

    For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.

  • Psalms 51:12

    Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit.

  • John 6:63

    It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.

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