WITH UNVEILED FACES WE SEE HIS GLORY AND ARE BEING TRANSFORMED

Passage: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Key verse: 18

NIV

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

7 Now if the ministry that brought death,(A) which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory,(B) transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation(C) was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!(D) 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope,(E) we are very bold.(F) 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face(G) to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull,(H) for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant(I) is read.(J) It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord,(K) the veil is taken away.(L) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit,(M) and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.(N) 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a](O) the Lord’s glory,(P) are being transformed into his image(Q) with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflect
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

7 Now if (A)the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory (B)that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in (C)the ministry of condemnation, (D)the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

12 Since we have such a hope, (E)we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, (F)who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But (G)their minds were (H)hardened. For to this day, (I)when they read (J)the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when (K)one[a] turns to the Lord, (L)the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord[b] is the Spirit, and where (M)the Spirit of the Lord is, there is (N)freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, (O)beholding (P)the glory of the Lord,[c] (Q)are being transformed into the same image (R)from one degree of glory to another.[d] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Corinthians 3:16 Greek he
  2. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Or this Lord
  3. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflecting the glory of the Lord
  4. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Greek from glory to glory
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

In the old covenant, God’s glory was revealed through the perfect law, which revealed our unrighteousness, bringing condemnation and death. But a surpassing glory is now revealed in the ministry of the Spirit that brings to us the perfect righteousness of Christ. And this glory will be everlasting.

Such a hope brings a boldness not found in the old covenant, where Moses had to wear a veil to hide its fading glory from the Israelites. Only Christ removes this veil and brings freedom to those who turn to him. Our eyes are open to see the glory of the Lord, and reflect it, as we are transformed into his glorious image. May we live in this freedom. May we preach Christ who removes the veil from people’s eyes so they can see his surpassing glory.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the righteousness and freedom of the new covenant in Christ.

One Word: The glory of the new covenant