2 Corinthians 3:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it.

NIV: For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.

NASB: For indeed what had glory in this case has no glory, because of the glory that surpasses it.

CSB: In fact, what had been glorious is not glorious now by comparison because of the glory that surpasses it.

NLT: In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way.

KJV: For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

NKJV: For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels.

Paul has compared the old covenant and the new covenant. He described the old covenant between God and Israel—defined by the Old Testament Law—as a "ministry of death" and a "ministry of condemnation." By that, he meant that the law at the heart of the covenant revealed to all who tried to follow it that they could not. All are sinners. None can reach God's glory through following the law (Romans 3:23). All stand condemned and sentenced to death and separation from God forever (Romans 6:23).

That old covenant did have glory at one point, though. It was, after all, the revelation of God on earth. The glory was reflected in Moses' face (2 Corinthians 3:7). Now, though, that glory that came with relationship with God through the law and the sacrifice of animals to cover sin has been surpassed by a far greater glory. This is the glory of the new covenant.

This covenant is God's offer of grace and mercy to all who trust in Christ and receive the gift of eternal life. God forgives the sin, once and for all, of everyone who believes that Christ's death covers their sin permanently. He gives the Holy Spirit to each believer, as well, as a promise of eternal glory to come.

Now that Christ has come and lived and died and has been resurrected, the old covenant is fulfilled. It offers no glory, at all, any longer. The glory of the new covenant outshines it so brightly as to make the reflected glory of the old covenant completely disappear.

Second Corinthians 3:7–18 contains Paul's comparison of the glory of God revealed in two covenants. The first is the Old Covenant with Israel, second is the far greater glory revealed in the new covenant of God's grace through faith in Christ. The glory of the Old Covenant is fading just as it did on Moses' face after he had been with God. Those who come to God through faith in Christ are forgiven for their sins and able to look on God's glory. The veil of unbelief must be removed by the Spirit through Christ. Those who see Him begin to become like Him.

Second Corinthians 3 begins with Paul's insistence that Christ's presence in the hearts of the Corinthians should be all the evidence they need that his ministry is true. He compares the limited glory revealed by the Old Covenant between God and Israel with the far greater glory revealed by Christ to all who come to Him by faith. That glory is revealed only when the veil of unbelief is removed through Christ by the Holy Spirit's power. Those who see God's glory in Christ begin to be changed to become like Him.

Earlier chapters described the Corinthians' response to Paul's earlier instructions. Here, Paul once again defends the legitimacy of his role as an apostle of Christ. He then compares the old covenant of the law of Moses with the new covenant of faith in Christ. The old covenant revealed human sinfulness, God's condemnation, and the death required to pay for sin. The new covenant brings God's forgiveness for sin to all who trust in Christ, making it possible to look on His glory and to begin to be changed by it into the image of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. This launches Paul into a description of the value of the gospel, in contrast to the struggles of earthly life.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.