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2 Corinthians 3

2 Cor. 3:17 KJV (With Strong’s)

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17
Now
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
the Lord
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
w is
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
that Spirit
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pneuma (Greek #4151)
a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
KJV usage: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare 5590.
Pronounce: pnyoo'-mah
Origin: from 4154
: and
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
where
hou (Greek #3757)
at which place, i.e. where
KJV usage: where(-in), whither(-soever).
Pronounce: hoo
Origin: genitive case of 3739 as adverb
the Spirit
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pneuma (Greek #4151)
a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
KJV usage: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare 5590.
Pronounce: pnyoo'-mah
Origin: from 4154
x of the Lord
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
is, there
ekei (Greek #1563)
there; by extension, thither
KJV usage: there, thither(-ward), (to) yonder (place).
Pronounce: ek-i'
Origin: of uncertain affinity
is liberty
eleutheria (Greek #1657)
freedom (legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial)
KJV usage: liberty.
Pronounce: el-yoo-ther-ee'-ah
Origin: from 1658
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w
1 Cor. 15:45• 45Thus also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul; the last Adam a quickening spirit. (1 Cor. 15:45)
x
Rom. 8:2• 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and of death. (Rom. 8:2)

More on:

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Liberty,
Spirit

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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the Lord.
2 Cor. 3:6• 6who has also made us competent, as ministers of the new covenant; not of letter, but of spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit quickens. (2 Cor. 3:6)
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John 6:63• 63It is the Spirit which quickens, the flesh profits nothing: the words which I have spoken unto you are spirit and are life. (John 6:63)
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1 Cor. 15:45• 45Thus also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul; the last Adam a quickening spirit. (1 Cor. 15:45)
where.
Psa. 51:12• 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and let a willing spirit sustain me. (Psa. 51:12)
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Isa. 61:1• 1The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me, because Jehovah hath anointed me to announce glad tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and opening of the prison to them that are bound; (Isa. 61:1)
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Rom. 8:2,15‑16• 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and of death.
 15For ye have not received a spirit of bondage again for fear, but ye have received a spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
 16The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God. (Rom. 8:2,15‑16)
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Gal. 4:6• 6But because ye are sons, God has sent out the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Gal. 4:6)
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2 Tim. 1:7• 7For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, and of love, and of wise discretion. (2 Tim. 1:7)
• When it is said, “Now the Lord is that spirit,” allusion is made to verse 6; verses 7-16 are a parenthesis. (“2 Corinthians 3” by J.N. Darby)
• When it is said, “Now the Lord is that spirit,” allusion is made to verse 6; verses 7-16 are a parenthesis. Christ glorified is the true thought of the Spirit which God had previously hidden under figures. (“2 Corinthians 3” by J.N. Darby)
• The parenthesis of verses 7 to 16 being closed, the apostle continues the subject of verse 6. There he had been speaking of the spirit of the new covenant, which is for all, in contrast with the letter which limits the new covenant to Israel. (“2 Corinthians 3” by H. Smith)
• The capital makes the word refer to the Holy Spirit, and this hardly seems to be intelligible. (See W. Kelly on Corinthians.) The meaning would appear to be that the Lord Jesus is the spirit, or essence, of the old covenant. All its forms, sacrifices and ceremonies prefigured Christ in different ways. (“2 Corinthians 3” by H. Smith)
• The apostle states that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty". Those referred to in 2:17 would bring the saints into bondage by occupation with themselves: the Spirit brings into liberty by turning the soul to Christ in the glory. (“2 Corinthians 3” by H. Smith)
• It is an utter mistake to give “the spirit" in the first clause a capital letter, which would imply the Holy Ghost to be meant….the meaning, without doubt, is that the Lord Jesus constitutes the spirit of the forms and figures and other communications of the old covenant. These, if taken in the letter, killed; if in the spirit, quickened. “The Lord" was their real scope. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 3:17-18”)
• “Where the Spirit of the Lord [is, there is] liberty," as opposed to Gentile license as to Jewish bondage. It is liberty to do the will of God. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 3:17-18”)
• Paul’s point here is that the ministry not only imparts life to souls by the Spirit (vs. 6), but it also gives the believer liberty in the presence of God in prayer and worship (vs. 17). (“A True Christian Minister Has a Ministry That Impacts His Hearers: 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:18” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, but where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

W. Kelly Translation

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17
Now the Lord is the spirita, but where the Spirit of the Lord [is, thereb is] liberty;

WK Translation Notes

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a
It is a mistake to give "the spirit" in the first clause a capital letter, which would imply the Holy Spirit to be meant. The meaning of the verse is connected with what was quoted before. The apostle was contrasting the old covenant with the new, and he says, "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." Christ, under the letter of the old, quickens; the letter of the old without Christ does not. "Now," says he, "the Lord is the spirit," that is, of the old. The letter cannot quicken, but the spirit does. But the moment you come to the next clause, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is," you must have a capital "S," because the Holy Spirit is meant.
b
"There" in T. R. is supported by many MSS., but it is not in the oldest.