2 Corinthians 3:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses ' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end,

NIV: Now if the ministry that brought death, 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, transitory though it was,

NASB: But if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones, came with glory so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was,

CSB: Now if the ministry that brought death, chiseled in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the Israelites were not able to gaze steadily at Moses’s face because of its glory, which was set aside,

NLT: The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.

KJV: But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

NKJV: 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,

Paul is comparing two covenants between God and His people. Paul had lived under both covenants, first the Old Covenant of God's law for Israel and then the new covenant of God's grace for all who come to Him through faith in Christ. In fact, Paul had been a minister of both covenants. First, he was a Jewish religious leader called a Pharisee, then an apostle of Jesus Christ. He is especially qualified to call out the differences between the two.

He starts by describing the Old Covenant as "the ministry of death, carved in letters of stone." That may sound harsh, but Paul is careful never to dismiss God's Old Covenant with Israel. It was instituted by God, after all. Instead, Paul shows how it served the purpose of making all who attempted to live under it aware of their own sinfulness and inability to obey God. Since our sin deserves eternal death and separation from God, the Old Covenant provided the awareness that those who followed it lived under a death sentence (Romans 7:10–11).

The Old Covenant was delivered with the glory of God, however. That glory was reflected in a supernatural glow on Moses' face after he had been talking to God (Exodus 34:29–30). That reflected glory terrified the people even as it was fading away from Moses' face. Why? They recognized themselves as being unworthy to look at God's glory because of their own sinfulness.

In the following verse, Paul shows that the ministry of the Spirit, under the new covenant, brings an even greater glory.

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.