2 Corinthians 3:12

KJV

¶ Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

KJV (with Strong's)

Seeing then {G3767} that we have {G2192} such {G5108} hope {G1680}, we use {G5530} great {G4183} plainness of speech {G3954}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore, with a hope like this, we are very open —

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

American Standard Version

Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Corinthians 3:12 encapsulates the Apostle Paul's profound confidence in the New Covenant, contrasting its unveiled glory with the fading splendor of the Old Covenant. Because believers possess such a secure and transformative hope in Christ, they are empowered to communicate the Gospel with remarkable clarity, openness, and boldness, reflecting the unhindered access and revelation found in the Spirit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within Paul's extended theological argument in [2 Corinthians 3](/2_corinthians/3 "2 Corinthians 3 - The Ministry of the New Covenant"). Paul has been contrasting the Old Covenant, characterized by the Law and its ministry of death, with the New Covenant, which is a ministry of the Spirit and brings life and righteousness. He specifically references Moses' veil, which covered his face to hide the fading glory of the Law ([2 Corinthians 3:7-11](/2_corinthians/3-7-11 "2 Corinthians 3:7-11 - The Fading Glory of the Old Covenant")). The "such hope" in verse 12 directly arises from the superiority and permanence of the New Covenant's glory, which is unveiled and transformative, leading to a freedom that was not fully available under the Law. This verse sets the stage for Paul's further explanation of how the veil is removed in Christ and how believers are transformed by beholding the Lord's glory with unveiled faces ([2 Corinthians 3:13-18](/2_corinthians/3-13-18 "2 Corinthians 3:13-13 - The Veil Removed in Christ")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's letter to the Corinthians addresses a community grappling with various issues, including challenges to his apostolic authority and the influence of false teachers who might have promoted a legalistic understanding of faith. The cultural backdrop includes a Jewish tradition deeply revering the Law given through Moses. Paul's use of Moses' veil is a powerful rhetorical device, drawing on a well-known Old Testament narrative ([Exodus 34:29-35](/exodus/34-29-35 "Exodus 34:29-35 - Moses' Veiled Face")) to illustrate a profound theological truth about the nature of the covenants. The concept of "plainness of speech" (parrhesia) was also significant in Greco-Roman rhetoric, denoting a courageous, open, and unreserved manner of speaking, often associated with philosophical discourse or political freedom. Paul appropriates this concept to describe the spiritual freedom and confidence of New Covenant ministers.

* **Key Themes:** The central themes interwoven in this verse include the **Superiority of the New Covenant** over the Old, particularly in its enduring glory and life-giving power, as opposed to the Law's temporary and condemning nature ([2 Corinthians 3:6-9](/2_corinthians/3-6-9 "2 Corinthians 3:6-9 - The Spirit Gives Life")). This superiority undergirds the **Boldness and Clarity in Proclamation**, as the unveiled nature of the New Covenant empowers ministers to speak openly and without fear, unlike the veiled communication of the Old Covenant. Furthermore, the verse highlights the **Confident Hope in Christ** that believers possess, a hope that is not a mere wish but a firm expectation rooted in Christ's finished work and the Spirit's indwelling, leading to transformation and direct access to God's presence ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed by the Spirit")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hope (Greek, _elpís'_):** From G1680, meaning expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence. In this context, it refers to the confident assurance and eager expectation that believers have in the New Covenant, particularly concerning the full realization of God's promises in Christ, including eternal life, righteousness, and the ultimate transformation into His image. This hope is not a mere wish but a certainty based on God's faithfulness and the indwelling Spirit.
* **use (Greek, _chráomai'_):** From G5530, a primary verb meaning to furnish what is needed, or by implication, to employ or act towards one in a given manner. Here, it indicates the active employment or exercise of "great plainness of speech" as a direct consequence of possessing "such hope." It signifies a deliberate and characteristic manner of communication adopted by Paul and other ministers of the New Covenant.
* **plainness of speech (Greek, _parrhēsía'_):** From G3954, meaning all out-spokenness, i.e., frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance. This crucial term denotes boldness, freedom of speech, openness, and a lack of reservation or fear in communication. It implies transparency and directness, contrasting sharply with the veiled or obscure nature of the Old Covenant's glory. The addition of "great" (G4183, _polýs_) emphasizes the abundant and unrestrained nature of this boldness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Seeing then that we have such hope,"**: This opening clause establishes the foundational premise for Paul's subsequent statement. The conjunction "Seeing then" (oûn) indicates a logical conclusion drawn from the preceding discussion in [2 Corinthians 3:7-11](/2_corinthians/3-7-11 "2 Corinthians 3:7-11 - The Fading Glory of the Old Covenant"), where Paul contrasts the fading glory of the Old Covenant with the surpassing and enduring glory of the New. The "hope" (elpís) is not a vague wish but a confident, certain expectation rooted in the superior reality of the New Covenant—its ministry of the Spirit, righteousness, and life, all centered in Christ. This hope provides the spiritual grounding for the manner of their ministry.
* **"we use great plainness of speech:"**: This clause describes the direct consequence of possessing "such hope." Because the New Covenant is characterized by unveiled glory and brings freedom, Paul and his fellow ministers proclaim its truths with "great plainness of speech" (polýs parrhēsía). This signifies an unreserved, open, bold, and transparent communication of the Gospel, free from the obscurity or fear that might have characterized the Old Covenant's ministry. It implies a direct, unambiguous presentation of truth, reflecting the clarity and accessibility of God's revelation in Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in this verse and the surrounding context. **Contrast** is a dominant feature, as he consistently juxtaposes the Old Covenant (ministry of death, veiled, fading glory) with the New Covenant (ministry of the Spirit, unveiled, surpassing and enduring glory). This contrast highlights the superiority and transformative power of the New Covenant. The **Metaphor** of the veil is central to the entire chapter, symbolizing the spiritual blindness and limited understanding under the Old Covenant, which is removed only in Christ. The phrase "great plainness of speech" itself uses a form of **Emphasis** or **Hyperbole** (through the adjective "great") to underscore the profound and unhindered nature of their communication, reflecting the abundant grace and clarity of the New Covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The "hope" Paul speaks of is not a vague optimism but a theological certainty rooted in the finished work of Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. This confident expectation of future glory and present transformation empowers ministers of the New Covenant to proclaim the Gospel with unparalleled boldness and transparency. Unlike the veiled and temporary glory of the Law, the New Covenant reveals God's glory in Christ directly, enabling an open and unhindered proclamation of truth. This plainness of speech reflects the very nature of the New Covenant: it is clear, accessible, and brings freedom, inviting all to behold the Lord with unveiled faces and be transformed.

* [Ephesians 6:19-20](/ephesians/6-19-20 "Ephesians 6:19-20 - Paul's Prayer for Boldness in Proclamation")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Boldness to Approach the Throne of Grace")
* [1 John 4:17](/1_john/4-17 "1 John 4:17 - Boldness in the Day of Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Corinthians 3:12 serves as a profound call to confidence and clarity in our witness. If we truly grasp the magnificent hope we possess in Christ—a hope grounded in the Spirit's life-giving power and the unveiled glory of the New Covenant—then our communication of the Gospel should be marked by an authentic and unreserved boldness. This means shedding any timidity or fear that might obscure the clear message of salvation. Our lives, too, should reflect the transparency and freedom that come from beholding Christ with unveiled faces, demonstrating the transformative power of the Spirit. We are called to present the good news without unnecessary complexity or jargon, allowing its inherent power to resonate with clarity, inviting others into the same glorious hope and freedom we enjoy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "such hope" mean to you personally, and how does it impact your daily life and interactions?**
* **In what areas of your life or witness do you find yourself "veiling" the truth or hesitating to speak with "great plainness of speech"?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater sense of boldness and clarity in sharing your faith, reflecting the unveiled glory of Christ?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure your communication of the Gospel is both plain and powerful?**

### FAQ
**What is the "hope" that Paul refers to in 2 Corinthians 3:12?**

Answer: The "hope" (Greek: _elpís_) Paul refers to is not a mere wishful thinking but a confident, certain expectation rooted in the New Covenant. It is the assurance of future glory, righteousness, and eternal life that believers have through Christ's finished work and the indwelling Holy Spirit. This hope is superior to anything offered by the Old Covenant, which was temporary and veiled. It encompasses the full realization of God's promises and the ultimate transformation into the likeness of Christ, as described later in [2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformation by the Spirit").

**What does "great plainness of speech" mean in this context?**

Answer: "Great plainness of speech" (Greek: _polýs parrhēsía_) signifies an abundant, unreserved, and bold manner of communication. It means speaking with frankness, openness, and confidence, without fear, ambiguity, or hidden meanings. In contrast to the veiled glory of Moses under the Old Covenant, Paul and other ministers of the New Covenant proclaim the Gospel with transparency and directness because the truth of Christ is unveiled and brings freedom. This boldness is a direct result of the superior and enduring hope found in the New Covenant, which is a ministry of the Spirit and righteousness, leading to life ([2 Corinthians 3:6-9](/2_corinthians/3-6-9 "2 Corinthians 3:6-9 - The Ministry of the Spirit")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "hope" and "great plainness of speech" in [2 Corinthians 3:12](/2_corinthians/3-12 "2 Corinthians 3:12 - Hope and Plainness of Speech") find their ultimate fulfillment and enablement in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of the unveiled glory of God, the one through whom the veil of the Old Covenant is removed ([2 Corinthians 3:14](/2_corinthians/3-14 "2 Corinthians 3:14 - The Veil Removed in Christ")). Christ's life, death, and resurrection inaugurated the New Covenant, a covenant of the Spirit that brings life and righteousness, surpassing the Law's ministry of condemnation ([2 Corinthians 3:6-9](/2_corinthians/3-6-9 "2 Corinthians 3:6-9 - The Superiority of the New Covenant")). Because Christ has made direct access to God possible through His sacrifice, believers now have the confidence to approach God's throne with boldness ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Boldness to Approach God's Throne")). The "plainness of speech" is thus a direct reflection of the clarity and finality of God's revelation in Christ, who is the "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")). The Spirit, given by Christ, empowers this boldness, transforming believers as they behold the Lord's glory with unveiled faces, from one degree of glory to another ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "2 Corinthians 3:18 - Transformed by the Spirit")). Thus, our hope is in Christ, and our ability to speak plainly about Him is a testament to His completed work and ongoing presence through the Spirit.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 7:4

Great [is] my boldness of speech toward you, great [is] my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

Acts 4:13

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

John 16:29

His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

Ephesians 6:19

¶ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Ephesians 6:20

For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Philippians 1:20

According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but [that] with all boldness, as always, [so] now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether [it be] by life, or by death.

2 Corinthians 4:2

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.