He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 3:6 NIV
Paul’s challenging words in 2 Corinthians 3:6 declare, ‘the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.’ Many believers ponder this statement. How can God’s own Word potentially ‘kill’? Indeed, grasping this truth is vital for discovering life in God’s Word and experiencing true spiritual growth.
One significant danger lies in approaching Scripture as merely a rigid system. Indeed, it is not a lifeless rulebook. This ‘letter’ approach ultimately kills spiritual vitality. We experience spiritual death when reading without depending on the Holy Spirit. Moreover, clinging to rules while ignoring the God who gave them also produces emptiness. Consequently, this leads to condemnation or judgment. Such an attitude can also fuel self-righteousness.
Therefore, Paul does not attack God’s Word itself. Instead, he confronts a human approach to Scripture. This approach transforms God’s Word into a spiritual weapon. Furthermore, the ‘letter kills’ when we use God’s commands to condemn ourselves or others. It can equally serve to inflate our own sense of righteousness.
Conversely, the Spirit truly gives life. The Word, when empowered by the Spirit, brings genuine transformation. It invites sinner to repentance instead condemning them to hell. Likewise, we God inviting us to forgive offence, instead of “praying” fire down. This approach emphasises a living relationship with God. It moves beyond simply following rules or adhering to a system. Indeed, the Holy Spirit makes the written Word alive and active within us. Ultimately, this helps us in discovering life in God’s Word every time we engage with it.
Living It Out
Consider your own approach to Scripture. Do you seek rigid rules or divine revelation? Embrace the Holy Spirit’s power for transformation, therefore moving beyond condemnation. Allow God’s living Word to truly bring you life.