Context No. 2810 of 4322 · 2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 3:7-11: in context

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.

Paul compares two covenants by their glory. If the ministry that came chiseled on stone, which he calls a ministry of death and condemnation, arrived with such glory that Israel could not bear to look at the shining face of Moses, then how much more glory belongs to the ministry of the Spirit and of righteousness?

He is not running down the law; he grants that it had real glory. His argument is about degree and about duration. The glory on Moses' face was genuine but temporary, already fading even as he came down the mountain, so that he had to veil it. The glory of what the Spirit is doing now does not fade at all. What God is working in the gospel outshines even Sinai, and unlike Sinai, it will never dim. The old glory was a sunrise; this is the day that stays.

Do I live as though the fading things carry the real glory, or set my heart on the ministry of the Spirit that will never dim?

Sources

2 Corinthians 3:11: "For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory."
Exodus 34:30: "When Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come near him."
2 Corinthians 3:18: "We... are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit."