II Corinthians 3:4

And--Greek, "But." "Such confidence, however (namely, of our 'sufficiency,' Co2 3:5-6; Co2 2:16 --to which he reverts after the parenthesis--as ministers of the New Testament, 'not hinting,' Co2 4:1), we have through Christ (not through ourselves, compare Co2 3:18) toward God" (that is, in our relation to God and His work, the ministry committed by Him to us, for which we must render an account to Him). Confidence toward God is solid and real, as looking to Him for the strength needed now, and also for the reward of grace to be given hereafter. Compare Act 24:15, "hope toward God." Human confidence is unreal in that it looks to man for its help and its reward.

The apostle makes an apology for his seeming to commend himself, and is careful not to assume too much to himself, but to ascribe all praise unto God (Co2 3:1-5). He then draws a comparison between the Old Testament and the New, and shows the excellency of the later above the former (Co2 3:6-11), whence he infers what is the duty of gospel ministers, and the advantage of those who live under the gospel above those who lived under the law (Co2 3:12 to the end).

3:4-18 The contrast between Paul’s ministry and the others’ ministries leads Paul to contrast the old covenant of written laws (Exod 31:18) with the new covenant written on human hearts (Jer 31:33). 3:4-6 The old written covenant is the Mosaic law as interpreted by the Jewish rabbis. It ends in death for adherents who see it as a way of salvation. The law is good (Rom 7:12-14), but those who use it to gain merit fail. It leads either to transgression or to pride; either way, the law brings condemnation (2 Cor 3:9).