Quaker Bible Index

(2 Cor 1:)

(2 Cor 1:3)

WTG 204 (Elizabeth Hudson, 1750): it pleased the Father of all our mercies [2 Cor 1:3] to give me sweet access to the throne of grace [Heb 4:16] in prayer.

(2 Cor 1:9)

WDS 252 (1686): My dear Friends, as you have received the Truth in some measure, watch and pray [Mat 26:41], and believe in the name of Christ [1 Jn 3:23]; that his power you may feel the heavenly inspiration of his blessed Spirit, to lay judgment to the line and righteousness to the plummet [Isa 28:17], that all that is not obedient to the light of Christ, may be kept down, and buried in the heavenly baptism under the sentence of death [Rom 6:4]; as it was and is with all the children of God, who have received the sentence of death in ourselves, that we may have no confidence in ourselves [2 Cor 1:9], but trust alone in the living God.

(2 Cor 1:12)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 1:12: MFU 39f (Rom 12:8), IP3: 247 (2 Cor 3:2]

GF7:104f (1655): Friends, take heed of darkness, or going beyond your bounds of limits [2 Cor 10:14], but keep in God's fear, that ye may receive his wisdom from above [Jas 3:17], that with it ye may order all things to his glory [Wis 8:1], answering the witness of God in everyone [1 Jn 5:9/Col 4:6], keeping in godly sincerity and simplicity [2 Cor 1:12], meekness, patience and humbleness, justice, truth and mercy [Psa 89:4]...

JN2:279 (1655): I say, thou that talks of false prophets must thyself be proved by the true Prophet and his apostles, they held the mystery of faith in a pure conscience [1 Tim 3:9], and their rejoicing was the testimony of their conscience, not fleshly wisdom [2 Cor 1:12].

(2 Cor 1:)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 1::]

(2 Cor 1:20)

JN2:212 (1655): And so you whose life is in the earth are far off from Abraham's bosom [Luk 16:22], faith and covenant, which is only to his seed, not to the seed of evildoers [Isa 1:4]; not to the seeds which are many, but to one, which is Christ [Gal 3:16]. So in the world, out of Christ: and out of Christ, out of God's covenant; for his promises are all yea and amen to them that are in Christ Jesus [2 Cor 1:20] but not to them that abide in the world.

IP2:147f (1661): And if men would but open their eyes, they might easily see how little oaths bind, and how unprofitable they are to the end and use for which they are intended: but the yea, and amen in Christ (the principle of life) [2 Cor 1:20] cannot be broken; but he that abides in him must perform the yea and amen, which is firm in him.

HPS 204 (Katherine Evans, 1662): My dear hearts, the promises of the Lord are large, and are all Yea and Amen [2 Cor 1:20] to those that fear his name; he will comfort the Mourners in Sion, and will cause the heavy-hearted in Jerusalem to rejoice, because of the glad tidings; they that do bear the cross with patience, shall wear the crown with joy....

GFT 218 (1681): And therefore, every man and woman must feel this Emmanuel (God with us) [Mat 1:23] in them, for it's not professing the saints' words and painting their sepulchres as the scribes and Pharisees did [Mat 23:29].... If you feel God in you or with you, the promises are Yea and Amen [2 Cor 1:20] in Christ the seed, forever.

JSS 13 (17– ): He cannot (such is the purity and goodness of his eternal unchangeable nature) make a sham invitation to any, and pass it upon them as a real and sincere one! As his promise is yea and amen forever [2 Cor 1:20], so is his call. All have heard it; but they have "not all obeyed [Rom 10:16]." The call is as real to him as does not, as to him who does obey.

(2 Cor 1:21)

GF6:56f (1679): [Quotes 2 Cor 1:21] And so, the manner of the anointing is also different in the new covenant and testament, and new and living way [Heb 10:20], from the manner of the anointing in the old covenant; in which the prophets, priests, and levites, did anoint the prophets, and the priests, and the kings. But in the new covenant God and Christ anoints his people with his spirit, which God hath poured out upon all flesh [Joel 2:28]. And so that outward anointing amongst the Jews in the old covenant, Christ hath abolished, which was with outward oil.

(2 Cor 1:22)

GF7:316 (1668): This is the standing and perfect worship, and it will stand when all the worships of old Adam are gone, and when the Jews', and Turks', and Christians' worships, that be not in the truth, are gone: for this is a standing and perfect worship; the spirit of God is perfect. And this is an universal worship, and brings every individual man and woman to the spirit of God in their own hearts [2 Cor 1:22].

RBA 347, RBAF 305 (1678, XII.2): We find not anything called the "seal" or "pledge" of our inheritance but the Spirit of God; it is by that we are said to be sealed (Eph 1:14 and 4:30), which is also termed the "earnest of our inheritance (2 Cor 1:22), and not by outward water, or eating and drinking; which as the wickedest of men may partake of, so many that do, do notwithstanding it go to perdition; for it is not outward washing with water that maketh the heart clean, by which men are fitted for heaven; and is "that which goeth into the mouth does not defile a man [Mat 15:11 | Mar 7:15], because it is put forth again" and so goeth to the dunghill [Mat 15:17 | Mar 7:19]

(2 Cor 1:24)

GF4:245 (1660): [quotes 2 Cor 1:24] Now, mark, all ye that are in Christendom, that call yourselves christians, who persecute about religion, have not you degenerated from the apostles, that would have dominion and power over men's faith? Is not the case plain, that you would not have the faith which is the gift of God [Eph 2:8] have its liberty? And that you are out of the true faith, the gift of God, which the apostles were in and so are no helpers of the joy of them that are in the true faith, you yourselves not standing by it [2 Cor 1:24]; and why did the apostle bid them stand fast in the faith [1 Cor 16:13], knowing there were some who would oppose their faith.

GF4:361 (1668) : and Christ said, "Christians should not exercise lordship over one another as the Gentiles had done [Mat 20:25f | Mar 10:42f | Luk 20:25f]; and the apostle says, "be not many masters [Jas 3:1], for you have one master, even Christ [Mat 23:8,10], and they were not lords over God's heritage [1 Pet 5:3], but they were helpers of their joy [2 Cor 1:24], and they should not lord it over their brethren, for they were all brethren [Mat 23:8]"....

MFU 463 (1698): Legal ceremonies is far from gospel freedom: Let us beware of being guilty, or having a hand in ordering or contriving that which is contrary to gospel freedom, for the Apostle would not have dominion over their faith, but to be helpers of their faith [2 Cor 1:24]: It's a dangerous thing to lead young Friends much into observation of outward things, for that will be easily done, for they can soon get into an outward garb, to be all alike outwardly. But this will not make them true Christians: it's the Spirit that gives life [2 Cor 3:6].

IP3:118 (1668): The apostles were not lords over the true Christians' faith; but helpers of their joy [2 Cor 1:24].... And this is the way of true ministers, to wait on God to beget, and on him again to water the begotten soul, and carry on his work in it; to make them know Christ their Master, from whom they are to receive light, life, instruction, and direction; and to feel the Head [Eph 4:15], and be joined to the Head, and receive from the Head their knowledge, as well the least as the greatest.

RBA 410 (1678, XIV.1): ...if the chief members of the church, though ordained to inform, instruct, and reprove, are not to have dominion over the faith nor consciences of the faithful, as the apostle expressly affirms (2 Cor 1:24), then far less ought they to usurp this dominion, or stir up the magistrate to persecute and murder those who cannot yield to them therein.

(2 Cor 2:10)

JN2:547 (1655): [Rebutting Thomas Moore's assertion that Christ remains "in the heavens as opposed to the earth," and is "personally absent from us while we are in these bodies on earth":] Was he personally absent from the three children in the furnace (Dan 3:25)? Was he personally absent from John in the isle of Patmos [Rev 1:9ff]? Was he personally absent from Paul, who confesseth his personal presence (2 Cor 2:10)?

(2 Cor 2:11)

GF7:20 (1652): Friends, –Whatever ye are addicted to, the tempter will come in that thing; and when he can trouble you, then he gets advantage over you [2 Cor 2:11], and then ye are gone. Stand still in that which is pure, after ye see yourselves; and then mercy comes in. After thou seest thy thoughts, and the temptations, do not think, but submit; and then power comes. Stand still in that which shows and discovers [John 3:21]; and there doth strength immediately come. And stand still in the light, and submit to it, and the other will be hushed and gone; and then content comes.

IP2:367f (1663): ...there are many that look towards Zion, who yet are ignorant of the devices and slights of Satan [2 Cor 2:11], to entangle them in their way; and some are caught in his snares (like foolish birds catching at the chaff, which makes the bigger show, instead of the wheat [Jer 23:28]), losing the substance for a shadow; the life and power in the heart, for a notion and conceit in the brain.

(2 Cor 2:)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 2::]

(2 Cor 2:14)

WTG 248 (Elizabeth Hudson, 1750): My soul and all that was living within me bowed down in reverence to him who is alone mighty to save [Isa 63:1] and ascribed greatness [Deu 32:3] with glory to him with his dear son the Lamb who is pleased to give us cause of triumph in him, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us [2 Cor 2:14], his instruments, who are nothing without him [John 15:5], but he all fulness without us.

(2 Cor 2:15)

GF7: 193 (1661): So speak the truth, whether merchants or tradesmen, and all sorts of people whatsoever, in all your occasions, and in all your tradings, dealings, and doings, speak the truth, act in the truth, and walk in the truth; and this brings righteousness forth. For it answereth the witness of God in every one [Col 4:6/1Jn 5:9f]; which lets every one see all the deeds and actions they have done amiss [2 Chr 6:37], and words which they have spoken amiss. So the witness of God within them ariseth a swift witness against them ... and brings them to the judgment bar, and to condemnation. Here righteousness goes forth, and here the sweet savour to the Lord God [2 Cor 2:15] begins to ascend; and truth and equity arise both to be acted and spoken.

GFT 108 (1675): You are the salt of the earth [Mat 5:13]. Before everyone be the salt of the earth, they must be salted themselves.... You must be salted of God before you be savoury to God, then to him a sweet smelling savour [2 Cor 2:14]. All to be seasoned with this sweet, heavenly grace [Col 4:6], then make others a sweet savour to God, as naturalized into the thing [Luk 1:35?] wherein the Lord's glory may be seen.

(2 Cor 2:16)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 2:16: IP4:387 (2 Cor 3:6)]

GF8:65 (1674): [Epistle discusses 1 Cor 14:15] if a creature should praise God in his soul, in his spirit, in the very hearing of the sound of this glorious gospel [2 Cor 4:4, 1 Tim 1:11], or make a joyful melody [cf Eph 5:19]; the minister of the spirit, who preaches the glorious gospel, cannot judge such for that, and say it is a confused noise [Isa 9:5]; for that is the minister of the letter that so judges, who may gather up parcels of the letter, and make a song of that, or preachment of that, to which the gospel ministry of the spirit is the savour of death unto death, and of life unto life [2 Cor 2:16].

MFU 239 (1657): Now that you may know and feel the life and power of every spirit, knowning the pure Light in yourselves, you will come to savor the life in others, and that that savors of death will be death to the life [2 Cor 2:16].

WPR 310, WPT 99 (1674): But indeed, this light is the savour of death [2 Cor 2:16] (the wages of sin [Rom 6:23]) to all that rebel against it, and the savour of life [2 Cor 2:16] to those only, who are obedient to it. For, such shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life [John 8:12].

SIW 90 (Sarah Tuke Grubb, 1782): ... where ministers maintain their inward exercise, and keep near to their gifts, the spirit of true discernment, which searcheth all things [1 Cor 2:10], is not wanting to prove, from the line in which it leads them, the rectitude of their ministry to the living and wise in heart [Prov 10:8]; who judge not by the sight of the eye, or the hearing of the ear [Job 42:5], but by the unerring evidence of truth, which remains to be the savour [text: favour] of life unto life [2 Cor 2:16].

SIW 164 (Ann Crowley, 18–): The prospect felt very weighty, and the importance of the engagement such, that I was often led secretly to exclaim "Who is sufficient for these things?" [2 Cor 2:16]

(2 Cor 2:17)

[Friends considered the KJV for this verse a mistranslation of what, for them, was the key phrase (see GF3:583 below). Most citations use the Geneva's "make merchandise of the word", which often appears as "make a trade of the scriptures."]

GFJN 53 (1650): O Friends, I was sent unto you to tell you that, if you had received the gospel freely, you would minister it freely [Mat 10:8] without money or price [Isa 55:1]; but you make it a trade and sale of what the prophets and apostles have spoken [2 Cor 2:17G]; and so you corrupt the Truth.

WDS 121f (1655): And the least of you in the Truth of God, will overturn all priests, and all the men of the world, that dwell in the serpentine wisdom, and make a trade of the letter [2 Cor 2:17G] (the Scriptures), speaking and disputing of the saints' conditions, as the devil did about the body of Moses [Jude 1:9], but cannot witness the Scriptures sealed to their souls by the eternal Spirit. Now, all you that dwell in the Truth in your measure, will comprehend such to be houses built upon the sand [Mat 7:26f), sturdy oaks that stand in the pride of their own conceits [Isa 2:12f], but have no root.

GF3:583 (Samuel Fisher? 1659): [Several scriptures corrupted by the translators: ... 2 Cor 2:17], in the English it is, "We do not corrupt the word," but in the Latin it is, "We do not sell the word for money."

JN1:99 (1653): And do not you buy and sell the letter, make merchandise of it [2 Cor 2:17G], whenas the ministers of God said that the gift of God could not be bought and sold for money [Acts 8:18-20], and said he was in the gall of bitterness who thought to buy it [Acts 8:23].

(2 Cor 3:)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3::]

(2 Cor 3:2)

GF3:148 (1659): P. "It is a delusion for one to witness an immediate call, and others to witnes with them that they are so called." A. Were not the apostles and saints written in one another's hearts, and one another's epistles there? [ 2 Cor 3:2] And were they not called immediately, and did they not witness one another as it is now?

JN1: 156 (1653): For all who are of faith are of Abraham [Gal 3:7], they are one seed, one heart, yea, written in one another's hearts [2 Cor 3:2]; therefore all you who follow this customary teaching of the world see how many of you are of one heart and one soul [Acts 4:32].

IP3: 247 (1672): Oh, how doth the witness answer in men's hearts and consciences! And they that keep to the witness, and its testimony, not hearkening after words to the wisdom of the flesh [2 Cor 1:12]; how do they become living epistles, to be seen and read of all men [2 Cor 3:2], as the Lord pleaseth to open that eye in any, which can see and read.

DFR 88 (1772): Therefore let us so live that we may be as Epistles written in one another’s hearts [2 Cor 3:2].

(2 Cor 3:2f)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:2f: GF7:25f (2 Cor 3:12)

GF7:130 (1656): ... the spirit of man lusteth to envy [Jas 4:5], if it be not subdued by the spirit of the living God [2 Cor 3:3]. Therefore wait and take heed, lest any nakedness appear [Rev 3:18], and that which is not justified in the sight of God. And take heed of presumption, lest ye go from the living God; but in the spirit dwell, that over all that ye may reign, and com to be recorded in the book of life [Rev 21:27], which life was before the world was. And this brings you to see and read one another, as epistles written in one another's hearts [2 Cor 3:2],where in unity, love and peace you will come to dwell....

(2 Cor 3:3)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:3: MFS 38 (Rev 16:11), IP3:291 (Isa 24:10), IP4:237 (Isa 2:5), WPR 569 (Heb 9:1)]

MFU 58 (1654): Now honestly with that of God in thy conscience, examine and see what thou possesseth, of that which is not paper and ink, but the spirit of the living God [2 Cor 3:3]; for what would it avail thee ..., if thou hadst had nothing to have lived on, but the covenants or writings of an inheritance, and never have come to enjoy the things they speak of. I speak after the manner of men [Rom 6:19]: Now do but seriously consider, how thou canst stand in the presence of the living God, because thou hast gotten the words which they spoke forth which had the spirit of the living God [2 Pet 1:21/2 Cor 3:3] and yet thou lives in thy sin, and thy pride, and thy lust; having an outside profession of the letter, without the substance, and the life that spoke it....

(2 Cor 3:)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3::]

(2 Cor 3:5)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:5: HPS 369 (Rom 9:16)]

(2 Cor 3:5f)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:5f: IP1:55f (1 Cor 8:4)]

(2 Cor 3:6-9)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:6-9: IP2:274 (Heb 6:18)]

(2 Cor 3:6)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:6: GFJN 311 (Jas 3:15-17), GF4:94 (Heb 4:12f), GF5:251 (Rom 4:12), IP1:132 (Rom 7:10), IP2: 30 (1 Cor 15:45), IP4:279 (Luk 10:16), HPS 215 (Rom 14:23) [ not sure any of these are worth keeping]

GF3:154 (1659): P. He saith, "We do not pretend to infallibility as you do, which is lying, and hypocritical," etc. A. We do believe you, that in the infallible spirit of God you are not, but in the false fallible spirit gone out into the world [1 Jn 4:1].... And so how can you be ministers of the spirit, and not of the letter [2 Cor 3:6], if ye be not infallible? For who are in the spirit, are in that which is infallible.

GF4:127 (16–): the ministers of the letter [2 Cor 3:6] may keep you reading the letter without you, and telling you of the letter without you, but they cannot endure, (who deny the light) talking of the word within them in the heart [Deut 30:14]; for feeling God's work in the heart to obey it, you come to know that which the prophets and apostles witnessed, the word of life which became flesh [1Jn 1:1/Jn 1:14], which is Christ in us [Col 1:27]....

JN1:127 (1653): And thou deceitful spirit that gathers up the working power of Christ in the saints and would attribute it to the letter, art about to make poor ignorant people believe that the letter is the Spirit [margin: 2 Cor 3:6, Rom 7:6] and that the letter is the Word, which is but a declaration of the Word; and itself saith plainly, "Christ is the Word" [John 1:14]; but the letter is not Christ; and this would make people believe that he that hath the letter hath the Spirit, when both thou and many more may have the letter and persecute the Spirit [Gal 4:29] and blaspheme against the Holy Ghost [Mar 3:29/Luk 12:10]....

JN2:597 (1655): The word is eternal, a fire and a hammer [Jer 23:29]: breaks down and builds up [Eccl 3:3], creates and gives life, which the letter doth not, but itself saith it killeth [2 Cor 3:6], and they that were minsters of the Spirit [ibid] witnessed the Spirit and ministered it forth, but they that have not the Spirit minister forth such as they have, calling the letter the word, which the ministers of the New Testament never did.

JN3:122 (1656): though the letter may show a man his condemnation, yet it cannot give life; it can show the duty but not give the power to perform it, so the letter kills, but the Spirit giveth life.

IP1:46f (1658): So these receiving their ministry of the Lord Jesus, Acts 20:24, and the gift of the Spirit from him, they were made "able ministers of the New Testament, not of the letter, but of the Spirit." 2 Cor 3:6. They were able in God to minister from his Spirit to the spirits of his people; and they did not minister a literal knowledge of things to the understanding of man; but they led men to the Spirit of God, and ministered spiritual things to the spiritual understanding which was given them of God. Neither did they make use of their own wisdom and art to tickle the natural ear; but spoke to the conscience, with the demonstration of the Spirit in the sight of God, as it pleased the Spirit to give them utterance [Acts 2:4].

IP1:366 (1660): "God hath made us able ministers of the New Testament" (saith the apostle); "not of the letter, but of the Spirit." 2 Cor 3:6. He overlooked the letter; that was not the thing he was chiefly to minister, but the Spirit, the power, to turn men from darkness to light [Acts 26:18], that they might feel him that is true [1Jn 5:20], and have the life eternal abiding in the heart: but now, in the antichristian darkness, the spirit being lost, which is the gospel-administration, they seemingly advance and cry up the letter, putting it into the place of the Spirit. Yet in truth it is not the Scripture either, in its naked simplicity, which is thus cried up, but men's wise reasonings about it.... not as it came at first out of the hands of the Spirit, nor as the truth of it is now seen in the simplicity and nakedness of the Spirit, but as the wisdom from below [Jas 3:15] has formed meanings and apprehensions concerning it. And here every sort of man are wise in their own eyes, and strong and prudent in their own conceivings and reasonings [Isa 5:21/Rom 11:25], but know not the bringing to naught of that understanding, which precedeth the opening of the eye of the babe, which hath that sight of the things of God given it, which is out of the reach of all the wise and strong ones.

IP4: 387 (1679): Query 2. "If but one baptism is commanded, and men cannot baptize one another with the Spirit, and it is sinful to afflict one another, what baptism is this baptism?

Ans. God made his apostles (and makes those whom he makes ministers in the gospel) able ministers of the New Testament, not of the letter, but of the Spirit [2 Cor 3:6]. And if the Lord make him able ministers in his Spirit, what should hinder them from ministering the spiritual baptism? The same Spirit that teacheth through them, is it not able to baptize through them? "Who is sufficient for these things?" saith the apostle, 2 Cor 2:16. Were they sufficient to teach, but as God taught through them? And are they not sufficient to baptize, as God baptizeth through them? How often have we found our souls taught and baptized by the water of life flowing from the spring of life [Rev 21:6] through the holy ministry, which God hath mercifully raised up, and maketh use of, in these our days.

RBA 238 (1678, X.7): all ministers of the New Testament ought to be ministers of the Spirit, and not of the letter, according to that of 2 Cor 3:6.... But how can a man be a minister of the Spirit, who is not inwardly called by it, and who looks not upon the operation and testimony of the Spirit as essential to his call? ... I would willingly know, how those, that take upon them to be ministers (as they suppose) of the Gospel, merely from an outward vocation, without so much as being any ways sensible of the work of the Spirit or any inward call therefrom, can either satisfy themselves or others that they are ministers of the Spirit, or wherein they differ from the ministers of the letter?

(2 Cor 3:)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3::]

(2 Cor 3:7-9)

DG 101 (1986): Fox affirms that the laws of Moses are the "pure and perfect law of God." Yet Fox, following Paul, sees the dangers attendant in this outward formalism. Because they do not necessarily bring the mind inward from its outward confusion, the ethical demands of these laws serve ultimately as a curse (Gal 3:10f), a ministration of death (2 Cor 3:7) and of condemnation (2 Cor 3:9). They serve only to expose sins, not to reveal the fundamental condition of sin, the alienation from God's inward voice. They cannot reveal the will of God. One may remain in confusion, without the inward clarity necessary for salvation; thus, the mind is blinded (2 Cor 3:14), and the heart is hardened. Using this array of laws, men and women attempt to create their own righteousness (Rom 10:3), not the righteousness of God.

(2 Cor 3:8)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:8: IP3:324 (Rom 5:2)]

JN3:120f (1656): Concerning the Law. In this thing are many people confounded, yea all who know not the ministration of the Spirit [2 Cor 3:8]; for such going into the Scriptures and finding the ministration of the letter and the ministration of the Spirit, and themselves being under neither of these but in notion, as they have received it, in their imaginations, and not from the mouth of the Lord; some say they are under the law and that it continues still; others say, but some part of it, which is moral; others say, Nay, but it is done away, and they are not under any ministration of law but under grace [Rom 6:14f]; and so by their faith make void the law [Rom 3:31], not knowing what they say herein....

(2 Cor 3:9)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:9: GFJN 31 (Rom 5:14), RBA 130f (John 1:12)]

GF7:138 (1657): And where there is strife which leads out into many words [1 Tim 6:4?], such will wither and bring themselves under condemnation at last. Such must be silent and mind that which doth condemn them; that the life in them may arise, wherein is no strife. For where men's spirits are high, something is stirring that should be kept under: take heed that get not up into rule. So first learn the ministry of condemnation [2 Cor 3:9] in yourselves, that life may arise, before ministry in the spirit be known, which preacheth peace by Jesus Christ [Acts 10:36], where there is no strife. Therefore wait to know the time of silence [Eccl 3:7].

IP3: 331f (1674): "Upon all the glory shall be a defence." Isa 4:5. Oh! the Lord God, by the Spirit and power of the gospel, in the day thereof, is bringing many sons to glory [Heb 2:10], into great, inward, spiritual glory; yea, into exceeding glory (for the ministration of the Spirit exceeds in glory [2 Cor 3:9]. And as God hath ordained this glorious ministration for his sons and daughters under the new covenant, when it breaks forth, he is daily working, translating, and changing them, out of the earthly nature and image, into his own divine nature, into his own heavenly glory. 2 Cor 3:18.

HPS 504 (Katharine Whitton, 1681): blessed be the Lord who hath heard the cries of the poor, and regarded the groanings of the needy, and has met us in the way of his judgments [Isa 26:8]; and hath brought in the Ministration of Condemnation, which was glorious in its time [2 Cor 3:9], and placed it upon the head of the transgressor in us, whereby he hath judged and condemned the transgressing and rebellious part, that would not that he should reign [Luk 19:27]....

EQ 184 (John Banks, pub 1712): And as I travailed in and under the ministration of condemnation [2 Cor 3:9], and true judgment for sin and transgression, great was the warfare and combats that I had with the Enemy of my soul, who through his subtility did what in him lay, to betray me from the simplicity of Truth [2 Cor 11:3], that was begotten in me; and to persuade me to despair of my condition, as though there was no mercy for me.

(2 Cor 3:)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3::]

(2 Cor 3:12)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:12: JWJM 150 (Heb 2:9)]

GF7:26f (1652): And being written all in one another's hearts [2 Cor 3:2f], have all one voice, and the pure language of truth, where in all plainness of speech [2 Cor 3:12], things may be spoken in nakedness of heart one to another, in the eternal unity in the one spirit [1 Cor 12:13, Phil 1:27]....

JN2:584 (1655): Also we suffer as offenders because we cannot give flattering titles to men [Job 32:21f] but are brought to plainness of speech [2 Cor 3:12], without respect of persons [1 Pet 1:17], thouing every particular of the rich as well as the poor, which is the language of the Scripture always used by the saints, for which they were never counted offenders among the heathen [1 Ki 1:21/Joel 2:19], and this is contrary to Scripture and liberty of conscience. And thus while we talked of liberty of conscience but lived in the liberty of the flesh [Gal 5:13], and in pride and conformity to the world [Rom 2:12], we were not counted offenders by you; but now that we deny the world's ways, worships, fashions, and customs, and come to be guided by that Spirit of Christ by which they were guided who gave forth the Scriptures, ... now we are become a prey to the will of men.

WPR 118 (1669): And my dear Friends, let us keep in the simplicity of the Cross of Jesus, even in plainness of speech [2 Cor 3:12] and out of the world's flattering and deceitful respects, for we are as well to be a Cross in our garbs, gates [gaits?], dealings and salutations and religion and worship to this vain, adulterous and apostatiz'd generation....

HPS 275 (Barbara Blaugdone, 1691): [Quaker preachers] directed my mind unto the light of Christ, therein to wait, which I was diligent to do, and found the virtue of it; and as the evil was made manifest, I departed from it, and willingly took up the cross [Mat 16:24], and yielded obedience unto it, in plainness of speech [2 Cor 3:12] and in my habit; and the people were so offended with it, when I went into their public places and steeple-houses to speak, that they took away their children from me, so that I lost almost all my employment; and they kept me in prison a quarter of a year at a time....

(2 Cor 3:13-16)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:13-16: GF7:35 (Mat 13:26)]

GFJN 14f (167- ): After this, a pure fire appeared in me: then I saw how he sat as a refiner's fire, and as the fuller's soap [Mal 3:2]. Then the spiritual discerning came into me; by which I discerned my own thoughts, groans, and sighs; and what it was that veiled me, and what it was that opened me [2 Cor 3:13-16]. That which could not abide in the patience, nor endure the fire, in the light I found to be the groans of the flesh, that could not give up to the will of God; which had so veiled me, that I could not be patient in all trials, troubles, anguishes, and perplexities; could not give up self to die by the cross, the power of God [1 Cor 1:18], that the living and quickened might follow him, and that that which would cloud and veil from the presence of Christ [2 Cor 3:13-16], that which the sword of the spirit cuts down [Eph 6:17/Heb 4:12], and which must die, might not be kept alive.

SBD 48 (1740): ...a minister ought first to experience the veil that is in the history of the letter, taken away by the operation of Christ’s Spirit in his own heart [2 Cor 3:13-16], and the substance of the figures under the law, given to him in experience. [cont under 2 Cor 5:11]

JSS 64 (179-): But as in that day, so in this, the veil is over people’s minds, and ever will be over them, till Christ is revealed in them. It was in Paul that "God revealed his son [Gal 1:16]".... And until he is so revealed, in professing Christians, the veil will remain over their minds; for it is only removed, or "done away with in Christ [2 Cor 3:14]," not in a mere profession of him, but in himself, the life [Col 3:4].

(2 Cor 3:14)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:14: DGA 101 (2 Cor 3:7-9)]

IP3:330 (1674): "Which veil is done away in Christ." 2 Cor 3:14. It was promised of old, that in the mountain where God would make the feast of fat things, he would destroy, swallow up, or do away the veil, or that which veils the life and glory of the Lord from man, and hinders it from being revealed in him. Isa 27:6f. Now in Christ there is no veil; in his life, light, Spirit, and power, there is no veil; where they are inwardly manifested and received, the veil is done away, and the glory of the mystery revealed and beheld [Col 1:27].

JSS 32 (179-): As this work of refinement advances, the veil rends [Mat 27:51] , the covering is gradually removed, until the veil is done away in Christ [2 Cor 3:14]. Here the spiritual understanding and discernment are gradually received; here we know the meaning of these words: "Afterwards that which is spiritual!" [1 Cor 15:46]

(2 Cor 3:14f)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:14f : IP4:119 (Isa 25:6f)]

(2 Cor 3:15-17)

JN3: 432f (1656): ...but the children of light [John 12:36, Eph 5:8] know that there is no other thing to enlighten them that sit in darkness [Isa 42:7, Mic 7:8, Luk 1:79] whose minds the god of this world hath blinded [2 cor 4:4], but the light of Christ; until then the gospel is hid [2 Cor 4:3], and the veil is over the heart [2 Cor 3:15]; and all other means, till the eye be open, is unprofitable; and it is his light alone which is that eye, and his Spirit alone that takes away that veil (2 Cor 2:16-17).

(2 Cor 3:15)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:15: GF4:72 (Mat 13:13-15)]

(2 Cor 3:15f)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:15f: IP1:242 (Rom 7:6), TEM 31 (Mat 27:51)

(2 Cor 3:16)

GFT 113 (1675): He that ends the prophets, in him there is no change no alteration [Jas 1:17]. Glory over all! He takes away the veil [2 Cor 3:16] of darkness, mists, and fogs spread over all the nations [Isa 25:7/Isa 60:2]; the veil of types, figures, and shadows, that all may see over the veils, and before the veil was, and when they are all gone [Col 2:17].

IP3:239 (1672): I have felt that within which circumciseth the heart [Deu 30:6], and have borne the inward pain and cutting thereof, and am circumcised by it. That which stood between me and the Lord is cut off, the veil is taken away [2 Cor 3:16], the stiff-neckedness [Deu 10:16] and unsubjection to God removed, the wall of separation is inwardly broken down (Eph 2:14), and now I am in true unity of Spirit and communion with my God, even with the Father, and the Son, in that one Holy Spirit within they are One.

WDS 274 (1688): Crown all thy chosen ones with thy loving-kindness and tender mercy, rend the cloud of darkness that hangs over us and take away the veil [2 Cor 3:16], and bow the heavens [Psa 144:5] amongst us, and visit us with thy salvation [Psa 106:4], and reveal the mysteries of thy Truth unto us, and in all our ways let us acknowledge thee, and do thou lead us in the way everlasting [Psa 139:24].

(2 Cor 3:)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3::]

(2 Cor 3:17)

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:17: IP3:38 (John 14:9-11), HPS 386 (John 14:17)]

GF4:320 (1663): Christ came to set at liberty the captive [Luk 4:18]; ... for liberty is a natural right, and every natural creature would have its natural right, its liberty; and Christ gives liberty, and breaks the bonds asunder; and where the Spirit of the Lord rules, there is liberty [2 Cor 3:17]; but where the Spirit is quenched [1 Th 5:19], there is the bondage, and not liberty, that bondage that causeth the whole creation to groan, which the creature waiteth to be delivered from, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God [Rom 8:21f], by Christ....

JN3:133 (1656): So the spiritual man hath the spiritual will which is free, and that is from above. And the carnal man, which is from below, his will keeps in bondage, who is contrary to God in all things. So the first born hath not the free will, for who is born after the flesh, thereof is kept in bondage [Gal 4:23]; but who is begotten again [1 Pet 1:3] of the word from above is free-born (when his is born), who is born of the Spirit [John 3:5-8]; for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [2 Cor 3:17]; but where the spirit of the world [1 Cor 2:12] is, there is bondage: for as is the man, so is his will.

JWJM 259 (17–): it becomes us to meditate on the privileges of his children, to remember that where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [2 Cor 3:17], and that in joining to customs which we know are wrong, there is a departing from the purity of his govern¬ment and a certain degree of alienation from him.

(2 Cor 3:18)

For a discussion of the early Quaker view of perfection (for which this verse is often cited) see DGA 76-78. – EGM]

[Other texts citing 2 Cor 3:18: MFU 220 (Isa 9:7), IP3: 331f (2 Cor 3:9), IP4:81 (Rev 4:4), HPS 139f ( Mat 28:2)]

GF3:152 (1653): P. He saith, "For a perfection in glory to be attained to, on this side the grave, I utterly disown." A. Where glory is in the least degree, it is in perfection, and who have not glory, and do not attain glory on this side the grave, are in a sad condition; for the saints rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory [1 Pet 1:8], and they witnessed the hope of glory within them [Col 1:27] while they were upon earth, and of that hope they were to give a reason that was in them [1 Pet 3:15], and they saw the glory of God, and the Father, and so came to be changed from glory to glory, till they were come into the image of God [2 Cor 3:18].

IP4:278f (1675?): Man, having sinned, fell short of the glory of God [Rom 3:23]; but coming out of sin, cometh into glory again, and is daily more and more changed into the glorious image of the Son, from glory to glory, etc. 2 Cor 3:18. The aim of God is to bring many sons to glory [Heb 2:10]; and as they come out of darkness and sin into light and holiness, they come into the glory, and are in the glory.

EQ 307 (Samuel Fisher, 1661): And if ye ... would know him in any measure, as he is really in himself; my counsel to you is, to stand still in his own counsel, namely, his Light in your own consciences, that in that you may be led forth into his life and likeness, even into the image of his Son, the light of the world [Jn 8:12], the ... Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of it [Jn 1:29], who is the express image of the Father [Heb 1:3].... Wait for his appearing in his own spirit and power to restore his own image in your hearts; that as he appeareth, ye may appear with him in his glory [Col 3:4], which is fulness of grace and truth [John 1:14], being transformed into his image from glory to glory [2 Cor 3:18], by the operation of his Holy Spirit, that as he appeareth, ye may be like him, and so see him as he is....

WPR 369 (1672): If a Christian's change into God's image, from glory to glory [2 Cor 3:18], be the work of the eternal Spirit in men, it follows necessarily, that Christians can no more be without the discoveries, leadings and orderings of God's Spirit, than they can be his children without his image (since whatever they think, say or do, in reference to religion, should bear a near relation to that resemblance to God, which above all things they ought to act correspondingly with), but we see how expressly and profoundly the Apostle describes the exceeding blessedness of the New Covenant, namely, A being changed into the image of God, from glory to glory; not by our own notions or comprehensions, from the strength of our natural reason, or any book without us; but by the Spirit of the Lord operating in us; therefore God's children are not without an infallible Spirit, unless he should deny God's Spirit to be such, which methinks I cannot believe him to do.

JSS 3 (179-): I am as easy to risk my everlasting condition upon the true faith and fellowship in Christ, as inwardly revealed from glory to glory [2 Cor 3:18] to those who keep a single eye [Mat 6:22] to his holy light within them, as I am in believing that God made the heavens and the earth!