7But if the ministry of death, engraved in letters in stone, came with glory — so that the sons of Israel could not gaze at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, which was fading — [3:8] how will the ministry of the Spirit not be in even greater glory? [3:9] For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness overflow with glory. [3:10] For indeed what had been made glorious has not been glorified in this regard, because of the surpassing glory. [3:11] For if what was being set aside came through glory, much more that which remains is in glory. [3:12] Having therefore such a hope, we use much boldness of speech — [3:13] and not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the sons of Israel would not gaze at the end of what was fading. [3:14] But their minds were hardened — turned to stone — for until this very day the same veil remains unlifted at the reading of the old covenant, because in Christ it is set aside. [3:15] But until today, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart. [3:16] But whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. [3:17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [3:18] And 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 from the Lord, the Spirit.
2CO 3:7-18
The Glory of the New Covenant
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of 'glory' carried significant weight, often associated with divine or imperial majesty. For Jewish listeners, Moses' radiant face (Exodus 34:29-35) symbolized the divine authority and holiness of the Torah, though its glory was understood as temporary and fading. Paul contrasts this 'ministry of death' with the 'ministry of the Spirit' , framing the Torah as a covenant of condemnation and the new covenant as one of righteousness . The term (boldness) would resonate with listeners familiar with public discourse, suggesting unhindered access to God’s presence, unlike Moses' veiled face. The metaphor of a mirror reflects Hellenistic ideas of transformation, where beholding divine glory leads to assimilation into it. This passage challenges Jewish listeners to see the new covenant as surpassing the old in permanence and transformative power, while Gentile listeners would grasp the superiority of Christ’s glory over imperial or philosophical claims.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
2CO 3:7
- 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:
- BSB
- Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory,
- Koinōnos
- But if the ministry of death, engraved in letters in stone, came with glory — so that the sons of Israel could not gaze at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, which was fading —
2CO 3:8
- KJV
- How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
- BSB
- will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
- Koinōnos
- how will the ministry of the Spirit not be in even greater glory?
2CO 3:9
- KJV
- For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
- BSB
- For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!
- Koinōnos
- For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness overflow with glory.
2CO 3:10
- KJV
- For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
- BSB
- Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it.
- Koinōnos
- For indeed what had been made glorious has not been glorified in this regard, because of the surpassing glory.
2CO 3:11
- KJV
- For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
- BSB
- For if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which endures!
- Koinōnos
- For if what was being set aside came through glory, much more that which remains is in glory.
2CO 3:12
- KJV
- Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
- BSB
- Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
- Koinōnos
- Having therefore such a hope, we use much boldness of speech —
2CO 3:13
- KJV
- And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
- BSB
- We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away.
- Koinōnos
- and not as Moses, who put a veil over his face, so that the sons of Israel would not gaze at the end of what was fading.
2CO 3:14
- KJV
- But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
- BSB
- But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed.
- Koinōnos
- But their minds were hardened — turned to stone — for until this very day the same veil remains unlifted at the reading of the old covenant, because in Christ it is set aside.
2CO 3:15
- KJV
- But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
- BSB
- And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
- Koinōnos
- But until today, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart.
2CO 3:16
- KJV
- Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
- BSB
- But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
- Koinōnos
- But whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
2CO 3:17
- KJV
- Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
- BSB
- Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
- Koinōnos
- Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2CO 3:18
- KJV
- But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
- BSB
- And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
- Koinōnos
- And 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 from the Lord, the Spirit.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2CO 3:7
- ministry:The word translated 'ministry' here refers to active service or attendance to a duty, often with a sense of practical, day-to-day administration rather than a formal religious office.
2CO 3:12
- boldness:The term translated 'boldness' carried the sense of outspokenness, frankness, and freedom of speech, often implying a confident and unreserved manner in public address.
2CO 3:14
- were hardened:The word translated 'were hardened' literally meant to turn to stone or to form a callus, suggesting a process where something becomes insensitive, unyielding, or impenetrable.
2CO 3:18
- beholding as in a mirror,:The word translated 'beholding as in a mirror' can mean either to reflect an image as a mirror does, or to look at oneself in a mirror, suggesting both active reflection and passive reception of an image.