2 Corinthians 3:7

Translations

Modern

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,

Traditional

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:

Literal

Now if the ministry of death, having been engraved in letters on stones, came into being in glory so as for the sons of Israel not to be able to look intently into the face of Moses on account of the glory of his face that is fading away,

Latin

Quod si ministratio mortis litteris deformata in lapidibus fuit in gloria, ita ut non possent intendere filii Israël in faciem Moysi propter gloriam vultus ejus, quæ evacuatur:

Original

Greek

English

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,

Notes

2 Corinthians 3:7–11

The old covenant had moments of glory, like when the face of Moses shone from talking with the Lord (Exodus 34:29–35).
The old way has been replaced by the new, eternal way (Hebrews 8:8–13).

2 Corinthians 3:4–18

Paul compares his ministry to others by contrasting the old covenant of written laws (Exodus 31:18) with the new covenant written on human hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Paul (Saul) God’s New Covenant The Law and the Spirit The New Covenant The New Order

Related verses

2 Corinthians 3:9–11
For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!
Exodus 31:18
When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.
Romans 10:4
For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.
1 Corinthians 13:10
…but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away.
Exodus 24:12
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”
2 Corinthians 3:3
It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
2 Corinthians 3:6
And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Deuteronomy 10:1–4
At that time the LORD said to me, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the originals, come up to Me on the mountain, and make an ark of wood.
2 Corinthians 3:13–14
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.
Romans 4:15
…because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.
Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.
Deuteronomy 9:15
So I went back down the mountain while it was blazing with fire, with the two tablets of the covenant in my hands.

Parallels

Exodus 34:10–35

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Bible Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Glory Messiah Moses New Covenant Second Letter to the Corinthians Spirit of Jesus Christ

Topics

Arts of The: Engraver Christian Minister: Character and Attributes of Christian Minister: Their Calling Glorious Countenance: Transfigured Gospel: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Law: Temporary The Law of Moses: Called: Ministration of Death

2 Corinthians 3:7

Translations?

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