2 Corinthians 3 7

2 Corinthians 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:

2 Corinthians 3:7 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,

2 Corinthians 3:7 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,

2 Corinthians 3:7 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,

2 Corinthians 3:7 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.

2 Corinthians 3 verses

2 Corinthians 3 7 Meaning

The glory of the Mosaic ministry, associated with death and condemnation, is described as having a fading radiance. This is contrasted with the greater glory of the new covenant ministry, which is associated with life and righteousness. The fading of the Mosaic glory indicates its temporary nature and its inability to fully sanctify.

2 Corinthians 3 7 Context

This verse is part of the Apostle Paul's defense of his apostolic ministry, particularly in contrast to those who were trying to impose the requirements of the Mosaic Law on believers. Paul is demonstrating the superiority of the New Covenant in Christ over the Old Covenant represented by the Law given to Moses. He argues that the Mosaic ministry, though accompanied by divine glory, was temporary and its radiance faded because it was associated with death and condemnation. This fading glory served as a sign of its annulment. The context emphasizes the transient nature of the Old Covenant’s glory compared to the eternal glory of the New Covenant, which brings life and righteousness through the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3 7 Word Analysis

• Εἰ (ei) - "If" - A conditional particle, introducing a hypothesis or possibility.

• δὲ (de) - "but" - A conjunction indicating contrast or transition, often with a slightly adversative force.

• ἡ (hē) - "the" - The feminine definite article.

• διακονία (diakonia) - "ministry" - From diakonos (servant), signifying service or ministration. Here refers to the specific service associated with the Old Covenant.

• τοῦ (tou) - "of the" - The genitive definite article, masculine.

• θανάτου (thanatou) - "death" - From thanatos. Refers to both physical death and spiritual death or separation from God, a consequence of sin under the Law.

• ἐν (en) - "in" - A preposition indicating "in" or "by means of."

• γράμμασιν (grammasin) - "letters" - Dative plural of gramma (letter of the alphabet, written characters). Refers to the written form of the Law.

• ἐγκεχαραγμένοις (enkecharagmenois) - "engraved" - Perfect passive participle of encharassō (to engrave deeply). Emphasizes the permanence and divine inscription of the Law.

• ἐν (en) - "in" - Preposition.

• πέτραις (petrais) - "stones" - Dative plural of petra (rock, stone). Refers to the stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written.

• ἐν (en) - "in" - Preposition.

• δόξῃ (doxē) - "glory" - From doxa (glory, splendor, majesty). Refers to the radiant appearance.

• οὕτως (houtōs) - "so" - Adverb indicating manner or degree.

• γέγονεν (gegonen) - "came" or "has come to be" - Perfect indicative of ginomai (to become, to come into being).

• ὥστε (hōste) - "that" - Conjunction introducing a result clause.

• μὴ (mē) - "not" - Negative particle used with participles and subjunctives.

• δύναι (dynai) - "to be able" - Infinitive of dynamai.

• ἀτενίζειν (atenizein) - "to look intently" or "to gaze steadfastly" - Infinitive of atenizō (to fix one's gaze, to look intently).

• τοὺς (tous) - "the" - Accusative masculine definite article.

• υἱοὺς (huious) - "sons" - Accusative plural of huios (son). Used metonymically for "people" or "children of Israel."

• Ἰσραὴλ (Israēl) - "Israel" - Proper noun.

• εἰς (eis) - "into" or "unto" - Preposition.

• τὸ (to) - "the" - Accusative neuter definite article.

• πρόσωπον (prosōpon) - "face" - From prosopon (face, countenance).

• Μωϋσέως (Mōuseōs) - "Moses" - Genitive of Mōysēs (Moses).

• διὰ (dia) - "through" or "because of" - Preposition.

• τὴν (tēn) - "the" - Accusative feminine definite article.

• δόξαν (doxan) - "glory" - Accusative of doxa.

• τῆς (tēs) - "the" - Genitive feminine definite article.

• ἀποφθείρεσθαι (aphtheiresthai) - "to fade away" or "to be destroyed" - Present passive infinitive of aphtheirō (to destroy, to corrupt, to cause to fade). Suggests a gradual perishing or deterioration.

• αὐτῆς (autēs) - "of it" or "her" - Genitive feminine pronoun referring back to doxa.

• Words/Phrases Grouped:

  • "the ministry of death": Captures the essence of the Old Covenant Law which, due to sin, leads to death (Rom 7:10).
  • "in letters engraved on stone": Points to the Decalogue, divinely inscribed, representing the Written Law and its perceived permanence.
  • "came in glory so that Israelites could not look intently at Moses’ face": Refers to the actual visible radiance on Moses' face (Ex 34:29-35), a sign of God’s presence but a fleeting one.
  • "the fading radiance of which was to be annulled": Highlights the impermanence of the Old Covenant’s glory, signifying its eventual supersession by a more enduring glory.

2 Corinthians 3 7 Bonus Section

The Apostle Paul's description of the fading glory is not a dismissal of the Old Covenant's importance but a testament to its specific role and the fulfillment found in Christ. The physical radiance on Moses' face was a tangible manifestation of God's interaction with His people under the Law, underscoring the Law's divine origin. However, as the text states, this glory was to be annulled (aphtheiresthai). This Greek word carries a sense of "perishing" or "decaying," indicating a process rather than an abrupt end, much like how the system of sacrifices and rituals gradually gave way to Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice. The inability of the Israelites to gaze upon Moses' face due to its glory is paralleled in the New Testament by the blinding spiritual ignorance that can prevent people from recognizing Christ as the true glory of God, even though His glory is far superior and not meant to be hidden but revealed. This underscores the spiritual blindness that can accompany adherence to a ministry of condemnation rather than one of life.

2 Corinthians 3 7 Commentary

The verse vividly portrays the visible glory associated with the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, specifically the radiance emanating from Moses' face. This glory, though real and indicative of God's presence, was designed to fade. This fading was not a failure of God’s power, but a deliberate indication that the Mosaic covenant, though sacred, was provisional and ultimately to be set aside for something greater. The Law itself, being a "ministry of death," could not impart life, and its glory pointed to the stern righteousness that revealed sin and its consequence. Paul uses this fading glory to contrast with the permanent, life-giving glory of the New Covenant, which transforms believers by the Spirit, unhindered by the veil of temporary ordinances.

• The fading glory shows the Law’s limitations; it pointed to God's holiness but couldn't provide righteousness.
• This contrast is key to Paul's argument for the supremacy of the Gospel, which offers an incorruptible glory.