From the Veil to the Glory: The Ministry of the Spirit
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
2Cor.3.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ει: PART
- δε: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- διακονια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θανατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- γραμμασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- εντετυπωμενη: VERB,perf,pass,ptcp,nom,sg,f
- λιθοις: NOUN,dat,pl,masc
- εγενηθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- δοξη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ωστε: CONJ
- μη: PART
- δυνασθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- ατενισαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- υιους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- Ισραηλ: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- προσωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- Μωυσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δοξαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- προσωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- καταργουμενην: VERB,pres,pass,ptcp,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Exodus 34:29-35 (allusion): Paul alludes to Moses’ radiant face and the veil placed over it; there the glory on Moses’ face caused the Israelites to fear and he wore a veil after speaking with God.
- Exodus 32:15-16 (verbal): The description of the commandments as being 'written' or 'engraved on tablets of stone' echoes Paul’s phrase about the ministry of death 'in letters engraved on stone'.
- 2 Corinthians 3:13-16 (structural): Immediate internal cross-reference where Paul develops the veil imagery—Israel’s minds are veiled when the old covenant is read, and the veil is removed in Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 3:8-9 (thematic): Directly connected contrast within the same chapter between the 'ministry of death/condemnation' (the old covenant) and the superior 'ministry of righteousness' (the new covenant).
- Romans 8:2 (thematic): Theological parallel contrasting the 'law of sin and death' with the 'law of the Spirit of life,' echoing Paul’s contrast between the ministry that brings death and the ministry of the Spirit that brings life.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now if the ministry that brought death, engraved and written on stones, was glorious—so that the Israelites could not gaze steadily at Moses’ face because of the glory of his countenance, a glory that was passing away—
- Now if the ministry that brought death, engraved in letters on stone, came with glory—so that the people of Israel could not gaze steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, which was fading—
2Cor.3.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πως: ADV
- ουχι: PART
- μαλλον: ADV
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- διακονια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- εσται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- δοξη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 3:7 (structural): Immediate context: Paul contrasts the 'ministry of death' (the law, engraved on stones) that had glory with the ministry he is comparing to the Spirit; sets up the rhetorical question in 3:8.
- 2 Corinthians 3:9 (structural): Direct continuation/answer to the question of 3:8 — if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness (the Spirit) abounds much more in glory.
- Exodus 34:29–35 (allusion): Moses' face shining after meeting God is the Old Testament spectacle Paul invokes to characterize the fading glory of the Mosaic covenant, which he contrasts with the superior glory of the Spirit's ministry.
- Romans 8:2–4 (thematic): Paul's teaching that the Spirit gives life and sets believers free from the law's condemnation parallels the claim that the ministry of the Spirit is superior to the ministry of condemnation.
- Joel 2:28 (Acts 2:17 cited Joel) (allusion): Joel's prophecy of God pouring out his Spirit (quoted in Acts) undergirds the New Covenant expectation of a Spirit-led ministry — the kind of life-giving, glorified ministry Paul praises in 2 Cor 3:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- how much more glorious is the ministry of the Spirit!
- how will not the ministry of the Spirit be more glorious?
2Cor.3.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- γαρ: PART
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- διακονια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- κατακρισεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δοξα: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- πολλω: ADV
- μαλλον: ADV
- περισσευει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- διακονια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δικαιοσυνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δοξη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 3:7 (verbal): Direct immediate parallel in the same argument: contrasts the ‘ministry that brought death’ (condemnation) as having glory with the ministry of righteousness — same wording and antithesis.
- 2 Corinthians 3:8 (structural): Closely connected verse in the same pericope that draws the explicit contrast between the ‘ministry of the Spirit’/righteousness and the ministry of condemnation, developing the logical force of ‘much more.’
- Exodus 34:29-35 (allusion): Paul’s language about the ‘glory’ of the ministry of the law echoes Moses’ radiant face after Sinai; the Mosaic scene is the Old Testament typology behind Paul’s contrast.
- Romans 8:3-4 (thematic): Develops the contrast between law (condemnation) and the Spirit (righteousness lived out), showing how God’s purpose is fulfilled by the Spirit to produce righteousness rather than condemnation.
- Galatians 3:10-14 (thematic): Argues that the law brings a curse/condemnation while Christ/faith brings justification and blessing — thematically parallel to Paul’s claim that the ministry of righteousness exceeds the condemned glory of the law.
Alternative generated candidates
- For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.
- For if the ministry that condemned had glory, far greater is the glory of the ministry that gives righteousness.
2Cor.3.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- ου: PART,neg
- δεδοξασται: VERB,perf,mid/pas,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δεδοξασμενον: PART,nom,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- μερει: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- εινεκεν: PREP,gen
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- υπερβαλλουσης: PART,gen,sg,f
- δοξης·: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Exodus 34:29-35 (allusion): Paul alludes to Moses’ radiant/glorious face after encountering God; the fading glory of the old covenant scene underlies his contrast here.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7 (verbal): Immediately connected verse that introduces the ‘glorious’ ministry of Moses, providing the direct counterpart Paul is comparing to the surpassing glory.
- 2 Corinthians 3:11 (structural): Explicitly contrasts the transitory glory with the ‘surpassing’ or ‘exceeding’ glory of the new covenant—continuation of the same argumentative claim.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 (thematic): Develops the positive side of the contrast: believers, with unveiled faces, contemplate and are transformed by the Lord’s glory—showing the superior and effectual glory of the new covenant.
- 2 Corinthians 4:17 (thematic): Speaks of present affliction producing an ‘eternal weight of glory’—echoes the idea of a far greater, enduring glory that surpasses the temporary glory Paul attributes to Moses’ ministry.
Alternative generated candidates
- For what once had glory now has no glory in comparison with the surpassing glory.
- Indeed, what once had glory has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.
2Cor.3.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- γαρ: PART
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- καταργουμενον: VERB,pres,pass,part,nom,sg,n
- δια: PREP
- δοξης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- πολλω: ADV
- μαλλον: ADV
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μενον: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- δοξη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- Exodus 34:29-35 (allusion): Paul alludes to Moses’ radiant face and the glory associated with the old covenant (the ‘ministry of death’), which he contrasts with the greater glory of the new covenant.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7-10 (structural): Immediate context: the contrast between the ‘ministry of death’ that had glory and the ‘ministry of the Spirit’ which Paul argues is far more glorious (same argumentative line as v.11).
- Hebrews 3:3 (thematic): Explicitly compares Moses’ glory with the superior glory of Christ, echoing the theme that what remains (Christ/new covenant) is more glorious than the former ministry.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 (verbal): Speaks of God shining in our hearts and revealing ‘the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,’ reinforcing Paul’s claim that the new revelation is of greater, abiding glory.
Alternative generated candidates
- For if what was passing away was glorious, much more will what remains be glorious.
- For if what is passing away came with glory, much more does what remains have glory.
2Cor.3.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ουν: CONJ
- τοιαυτην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- ελπιδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- πολλη: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- παρρησια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- χρωμεθα: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 3:3-4 (verbal): Immediate context: the same argument about confidence/‘parrhesia’ and sufficiency from God — continues the thought introduced in v.12.
- Ephesians 3:12 (verbal): Uses the same term for boldness/parrhesia and links bold access/confidence to faith in Christ.
- Hebrews 10:19-22 (structural): Similar logical move ('therefore/since we have...') drawing confidence from what Christ has accomplished to approach God with boldness.
- Acts 4:29 (thematic): Early Christian petition for the ability to 'speak your word with all boldness' — parallels the theme of courageous, open proclamation.
- Philippians 1:20 (verbal): Paul expresses expectation that Christ will be honored 'with full courage/parrhesia,' echoing the link between hope and boldness found in 2 Cor 3:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore, since we have such hope, we speak with great plainness.
- Therefore, since we have such hope, we are very bold.
2Cor.3.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- καθαπερ: CONJ
- Μωυσης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ετιθει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- καλυμμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- προσωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μη: PART
- ατενισαι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- υιους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- Ισραηλ: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- τελος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- καταργουμενου: VERB,pres,pass,part,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Exodus 34:29-35 (quotation): The original narrative: Moses' face shone and he put a veil over it after speaking with God—Paul alludes directly to this episode as the historical basis for the veil.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7-12 (thematic): Paul's broader contrast between the fading glory of the Mosaic/letter ministry and the surpassing ministry of the Spirit provides the theological context for the veil motif in 3:13.
- 2 Corinthians 3:14 (structural): Immediate continuation of 3:13 asserting that the veil remains 'when the old covenant is read,' linking Moses' veil to ongoing inability to perceive covenantal truth.
- 2 Corinthians 3:15 (thematic): Explains how a veil lies over the minds/hearts of those who read Moses, making explicit the spiritual obstruction implicit in 3:13.
- 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (thematic): Uses related imagery of a veil/blinding and the 'god of this age' preventing people from seeing gospel light—parallels the idea of obstructed vision in 3:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites would not gaze intently at the end of what was passing away.
- We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites would not look intently at the end of what was fading.
2Cor.3.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- επωρωθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- νοηματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- αχρι: PREP
- γαρ: PART
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- σημερον: ADV
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- καλυμμα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- επι: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- αναγνωσει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- παλαιας: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- διαθηκης: NOUN,gen,sg,fem
- μενει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μη: PART
- ανακαλυπτομενον: VERB,pres,pass,part,nom,sg,n
- οτι: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- καταργειται: VERB,pres,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 34:29-35 (allusion): Background for Paul's veil imagery—Moses' face shone after speaking with God and he put a veil on, which Paul uses as the model for the 'veil' over Israel when the law is read.
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (thematic): Speaks of people whose minds/hearts are hardened and who do not understand—same motif of spiritual dullness that Paul attributes to those who read the old covenant without seeing.
- Romans 11:7-8 (verbal): Paul elsewhere treats Israel's hardening and cites scripture about God giving them a spirit of stupor—parallels the diagnosis in 2 Corinthians that minds are hardened when the law is read.
- Galatians 3:23-25 (thematic): Describes the law as a custodian until Christ came; parallels Paul’s claim that the old covenant's effect/veil is ended or removed 'in Christ.'
- Hebrews 8:13 (thematic): Declares the first covenant obsolete when the new covenant comes—echoes Paul's point that the old covenant veil is done away in Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- But their minds were hardened; for to this day, when the old covenant is read, the same veil remains unlifted—a veil that is set aside in Christ.
- But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted; it is not removed, because it is still veiled in Christ.
2Cor.3.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλ᾽εως: CONJ
- σημερον: ADV
- ηνικα: ADV
- αν: PART
- αναγινωσκηται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,subj,3,sg
- Μωυσης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- καλυμμα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- επι: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- καρδιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- κειται·: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 34:33-35 (allusion): Background image: Moses wore a veil after speaking with God; Paul alludes to that veil as a symbol of spiritual obscuration when Moses is read.
- 2 Corinthians 3:14 (verbal): Immediate context: Paul states that the minds of the Israelites were hardened and that the same veil remains when the old covenant is read, directly paralleling v.15's claim.
- 2 Corinthians 3:16 (structural): Contrasting parallel: where v.15 describes the veil on hearts, v.16 declares that the veil is removed when one turns to the Lord, showing the remedy/contrast.
- 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (thematic): Theme of spiritual blindness: Paul explains that the gospel is veiled to those whose minds the 'god of this age' has blinded, echoing the veil language and its effect.
- Isaiah 6:9-10 (quotation): Isaiah's prophecy about people hearing but not understanding (hearts grown callous) underlies New Testament references to a spiritual 'veil' and is cited elsewhere to explain hardness of heart.
Alternative generated candidates
- Indeed, even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts.
- Yes—to this very day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.
2Cor.3.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ηνικα: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- εαν: CONJ
- επιστρεψη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- περιαιρειται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- καλυμμα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
Parallels
- Exod.34:33-35 (allusion): Moses wore a veil after his face shone when he came from the LORD; Paul alludes to this veil imagery to contrast the old covenant's hiddenness with the removal of the veil when one turns to the Lord.
- 2Cor.3:14-15 (structural): Immediate context: Paul explains that a veil remains over Israel's reading of the old covenant; verse 16 is the turning point—when one turns to the Lord the veil is removed.
- 2Cor.3:18 (verbal): Follows logically and verbally from 3:16: with the veil removed believers behold the Lord's glory and are transformed into the same image—the unveiled vision motif continues.
- Matt.27:51 (thematic): The temple curtain is torn at Jesus' death, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and people—parallels the idea that the veil is taken away when one turns to the Lord.
- Acts 9:17-18 (thematic): When Saul turns to the Lord (Paul's conversion), physical blindness/scales are removed and he receives sight—an analogous image of spiritual turning producing removal of what hides divine revelation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
- But when a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
2Cor.3.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εστιν·ου: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ελευθερια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
Parallels
- 2 Cor 3:16 (structural): Immediate context: verse 16 explains that when someone turns to the Lord the veil is removed, preparing the way for 3:17's claim that where the Spirit is there is freedom.
- Rom 8:2 (verbal): Speaks of the 'law of the Spirit of life' that has made believers free from sin and death—echoing the linkage of Spirit and freedom in 2 Cor 3:17.
- Rom 8:15 (thematic): Contrasts a 'spirit of slavery' with the Spirit received (adoption), thematically connecting reception of God's Spirit with liberation from fear and bondage.
- John 8:36 (thematic): 'If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed'—a Johannine articulation of Christian freedom that parallels Paul’s assertion that where the Spirit (the Lord) is, there is freedom.
- Isaiah 61:1 (allusion): Prophetic background: 'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me...to proclaim liberty to the captives' provides an OT matrix linking the Spirit's presence with liberation, which Paul echoes.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
- Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2Cor.3.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- δε: CONJ
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ανακεκαλυμμενω: PART,perf,pass,dat,sg,n
- προσωπω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δοξαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- κατοπτριζομενοι: PART,pres,mid/pass,nom,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- εικονα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μεταμορφουμεθα: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,1,pl
- απο: PREP
- δοξης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- δοξαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- καθαπερ: CONJ
- απο: PREP
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 3:16-17 (structural): Immediate context: the removal of the veil and the statement 'the Lord is the Spirit' grounds the present verse's claim that believers are transformed by the Spirit.
- Romans 8:29 (verbal): Paul states God's purpose that believers be 'conformed to the image of his Son,' echoing the language of becoming/being transformed into the same image.
- 1 Corinthians 15:49 (thematic): Contrasts the earthly and the heavenly image—'we shall bear the image of the man of heaven'—linking resurrection/transformation with taking on Christ's likeness.
- Philippians 3:21 (thematic): Speaks of Christ transforming our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body, paralleling the motif of progressive transformation into glory.
- Colossians 3:10 (verbal): Describes the renewed self as 'being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator,' resonating with Paul’s idea of believers being transformed into Christ's image.
Alternative generated candidates
- And we all, with unveiled faces, reflecting the Lord’s glory as in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image—from one degree of glory to another—by the Lord, who is the Spirit.
- And we all, with unveiled faces, reflecting the Lord’s glory as in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image—from one degree of glory to another—by the Lord who is the Spirit.
Now if the ministry that brought death, engraved in letters on stones, came with glory—so that the Israelites could not look steadily at Moses' face because of the glory of his countenance, a glory that was passing away—
how will not the ministry of the Spirit be more glorious?
For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds it in glory.
Indeed, what was once glorious has lost its glory in this respect, because of the surpassing glory.
For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what remains have glory.
Since, then, we have such hope, we are very bold.
We do not act like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites would not gaze intently at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were hardened; for to this day, when they read Moses, a veil lies over their minds,
a veil that is removed only when one turns to the Lord. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image,
from one degree of glory to another—this transformation is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.