2 Corinthians 3:6

3:6 who made us adequate ¹  to be servants of a new covenant ²  not based on the letter but on the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:12

3:12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we behave with great boldness, ³ 

2 Corinthians 5:18

5:18 And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

Ephesians 3:7-8

3:7 I became a servant of this gospel ⁴  according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by ⁵  the exercise of his power. ⁶  3:8 To me – less than the least of all the saints ⁷  – this grace was given, ⁸  to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ

¹ tn Or “competent.”

² sn This new covenant is promised in Jer 31:31-34; 32:40.

³ tn Or “we employ great openness of speech.”

⁴ tn Grk “of which I was made a minister,” “of which I became a servant.”

⁵ tn Grk “according to.”

⁶ sn On the exercise of his power see 1:19-20.

⁷ sn In Pauline writings saints means any true believer. Thus for Paul to view himself as less than the least of all the saints is to view himself as the most unworthy object of Christ’s redemption.

⁸ sn The parallel phrases to proclaim and to enlighten which follow indicate why God’s grace was manifested to Paul. Grace was not something just to be received, but to be shared with others (cf. Acts 13:47).