Read & explore together
The Glory of the New Covenant
Paul compares two ministries in this passage and keeps returning to one theme: both involve glory, but the glory connected with the Spirit and with Christ is greater, lasting, and life-changing.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In these verses, Paul explains his bold way of speaking by contrasting what was written on stones with the ministry of the Spirit. He refers to Moses, a veil, the reading of the old covenant, turning to the Lord, liberty, and being transformed as believers behold the Lord’s glory.
2 Corinthians 3:7–18Main takeaway
This passage teaches that the glory connected with the Spirit and with Christ surpasses what was passing away, and those who turn to the Lord are changed as they behold his glory.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A greater gloryPaul begins by saying the ministry written on stones came with glory, even though he calls it the service of death and condemnation.
Explanation
Paul begins by saying the ministry written on stones came with glory, even though he calls it the service of death and condemnation. He then argues that the service of the Spirit and the service of righteousness have much more glory. The point is not that the first had no glory, but that the later glory surpasses it.
02Passing away and remainingPaul draws attention to duration. The glory on Moses’ face was passing away, and he says Moses used a veil so the children of Israel would not look steadily at the end of what was passing away.
Explanation
Paul draws attention to duration. The glory on Moses’ face was passing away, and he says Moses used a veil so the children of Israel would not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. By contrast, what remains is in glory. Paul’s comparison highlights both greatness and permanence.
03A veil over minds and heartsBecause of this hope, Paul says, “we use great boldness of speech”. He then explains that a veil still remains in the reading of the old covenant, and he describes minds as hardened.
Explanation
Because of this hope, Paul says, “we use great boldness of speech”. He then explains that a veil still remains in the reading of the old covenant, and he describes minds as hardened. He also says that when Moses is read, a veil lies on the heart. In Christ, that veil passes away.
04Turning to the LordPaul gives the turning point clearly: whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Explanation
Paul gives the turning point clearly: whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. He then says, “the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” The passage ends with believers, unveiled, beholding the Lord’s glory and being transformed from glory to glory.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What contrasts does Paul make between the service written on stones and the service of the Spirit?
Look for the paired descriptions such as death and Spirit, condemnation and righteousness, and notice which ministry Paul says has greater glory.
02Why does Paul mention something ‘passing away’ and something that ‘remains’?
Trace how Paul uses these words to compare the earlier glory connected with Moses and the lasting glory he describes later.
03According to this passage, what happens when someone turns to the Lord?
Answer from Paul’s own words about the veil, liberty, and transformation.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Corinthians 3:7–18
7But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away,
8won’t service of the Spirit be with much more glory?
9For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
10For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses.
11For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.
12Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,
13and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face so that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away.
14But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ it passes away.
15But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.
16But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
17Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.