Note 3 at 2 Cor. 3:2: When Paul says to the Corinthians, "ye are our epistle written in our hearts" he may be referring to his deep love for the Corinthians as he states also in 2 Corinthians 7:3 "I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you" (NIV), or he may be stating as does the RSV, Amplified, and Living Bible, "The only letter I need is you yourselves! By looking at the GOOD CHANGE IN YOUR HEARTS, everyone can see that we have done a good work among you." (LB). Many ancient authorities read "our hearts" as does the King James; others have translated it "your hearts." The manuscript support for "our hearts" is stronger and seems to fit the context much better.

Note 4 at 2 Cor. 3:2: Paul is saying, "You Corinthians are our letter of recommendation" (see ref. f). The best credentials that Paul could provide are the changed lives of those to whom he had ministered to. Human letters of recommendation could be false or deceiving, but the changed lives of the Corinthians were letters that were read of all men, produced by the power of God (1 Cor. 2:1-5; Rom. 1:16).