Changed by God's Glory

2 Cor 3:7-18

The Greater Glory (3:7-11)

2 Corinthians 3:7–11 NKJV

7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

1. Ministry of Spirit is more splendid than ministry of death (3:7-8)

2. Ministry of righteousness is more splendid than the ministry of condemnation (3:9-10)

3. Permanent ministry is more splendid than that which passes away (3:11).[93]

Boldness in Our Hope of Glory (3:12)

2 Corinthians 3:12 NKJV

12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—

The Veil of the Old Covenant (3:13-15)

2 Corinthians 3:13–15 NKJV

13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.

Paul has made his main point, that the New Covenant was more glorious than the Old. Now he takes this concept of the veil over Moses' face to symbolize the darkness of the Jews who can't grasp the New Covenant.

Spiritual Freedom from the Holy Spirit (3:16-17)

2 Corinthians 3:16–17 NKJV

16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

The Spirit of God is the One who takes away this blindness.

Beholding the Glory of God (3:18)

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Paul concludes this section with a wonderful verse that describes Christian sanctification, the process of Christ's character being formed in us.

Being Changed into Christ's Likeness (3:18)

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Yes, Moses' glow had to be renewed by repeated sessions, but it had the effect of altering him. This is the idea that Paul is focusing on here.