TRV
Translation
King James Version
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Complete Jewish Bible
So all of us, with faces unveiled, see as in a mirror the glory of the Lord; and we are being changed into his very image, from one degree of glory to the next, by Adonai the Spirit.
Berean Standard Bible
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
American Standard Version
But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.
World English Bible Messianic
But 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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But we al behold as in a mirrour the glory of the Lord with open face, and are changed into the same image, from glorie to glorie, as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Young's Literal Translation
and we all, with unvailed face, the glory of the Lord beholding in a mirror, to the same image are being transformed, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
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In the KJVVerse 28,860 of 31,102
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Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3 verses 12–18
12 ¶ Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
In these verses the apostle draws two inferences from what he had said about the Old and New Testament: -
I. Concerning the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness or clearness of speech. They ought not, like Moses, to put a veil upon their faces, or obscure and darken those things which they should make plain. The gospel is a more clear dispensation than the law; the things of God are revealed in the New Testament, not in types and shadows, and ministers are much to blame if they do not set spiritual things, and gospel-truth and grace, in the clearest light that is possible. Though the Israelites could not look stedfastly to the end of what was commanded, but is now abolished, yet we may. We may see the meaning of those types and shadows by the accomplishment, seeing the veil is done away in, Christ and he is come, who was the end of the law for righteousness to all those who believe, and whom Moses and all the prophets pointed to, and wrote of.
II. Concerning the privilege and advantage of those who enjoy the gospel, above those who lived under the law. For, 1. Those who lived under the legal dispensation had their minds blinded (Co2 3:14), and there was a veil upon their hearts, Co2 3:15. Thus it was formerly, and so it was especially as to those who remained in Judaism after the coming of the Messiah and the publication of his gospel. Nevertheless, the apostle tells us, there is a time coming when this veil also shall be taken away, and when it (the body of that people) shall turn to the Lord, Co2 3:16. Or, when any particular person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is taken away; the blindness of the mind, and the hardness of the heart, are cured. 2. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is much more happy. For, (1.) They have liberty: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, and where he worketh, as he does under the gospel-dispensation, there is liberty (Co2 3:17), freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and from the servitude of corruption; liberty of access to God, and freedom of speech in prayer. The heart is set at liberty, and enlarged, to run the ways of God's commandments. (2.) They have light; for with open face we behold the glory of the Lord, Co2 3:18. The Israelites saw the glory of God in a cloud, which was dark and dreadful; but Christians see the glory of the Lord as in a glass, more clearly and comfortably. It was the peculiar privilege of Moses for God to converse with him face to face, in a friendly manner; but now all true Christians see him more clearly with open face. He showeth them his glory. (3.) This light and liberty are transforming; we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory (Co2 3:18), from one degree of glorious grace unto another, till grace here be consummated in glory for ever. How much therefore should Christians prize and improve these privileges! We should not rest contented without an experimental knowledge of the transforming power of the gospel, by the operation of the Spirit, bringing us into a conformity to the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–18. Public domain.
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TertullianAD 220
Against Marcion Book V
By thus setting forth the glory which illumined the person of Moses from his interview with God, and the veil which concealed the same from the infirmity of the people, and by superinducing thereupon the revelation and the glory of the Spirit in the person of Christ-"even as," to use his words, "by the Spirit of the Lord" -he testifies that the whole Mosaic system was a figure of Christ, of whom the Jews indeed were ignorant, but who is known to us Christians.
TertullianAD 220
Against Marcion Book V
But how shall the veil of the Creator be taken away by the Christ of another god, whose mysteries the Creator could not possibly have veiled-unknown mysteries, as they were of an unknown god? So he says that "we now with open face" (meaning the candour of the heart, which in the Jews had been covered with a veil), "beholding Christ, are changed into the same image, from that glory" (wherewith Moses was transfigured as by the glory of the Lord) "to another glory." By thus setting forth the glory which illumined the person of Moses from his interview with God, and the veil which concealed the same from the infirmity of the people, and by superinducing thereupon the revelation and the glory of the Spirit in the person of Christ-"even as," to use his words, "by the Spirit of the Lord" -he testifies that the whole Mosaic system was a figure of Christ, of whom the Jews indeed were ignorant, but who is known to us Christians.
Methodius of OlympusAD 311
Methodius Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna
Today the accomplishment of that ancient and true counsel is, in fact and deed, gloriously manifested to the world. Today, without any covering,
Gregory of NazianzusAD 390
THEOLOGICAL ORATION 5.26
For the matter stands thus: The Old Testament proclaimed the Father openly and the Son more obscurely. The New manifested the Son and suggested the deity of the Spirit. Now the Spirit himself dwells among us and supplies us with a clearer demonstration of himself. For it was not safe, when the Godhead of the Father was not yet acknowledged, plainly to proclaim the Son; nor when that of the Son was not yet received, to burden us further (if I may use so bold an expression) with the Holy Ghost.… For this reason it was, I think, that he gradually came to dwell in the disciples, measuring himself out to them according to their capacity to receive him, at the beginning of the gospel, after the passion, after the ascension, making perfect their powers, being breathed upon them and appearing in fiery tongues. And indeed it is by little and little that he is declared by Jesus, as you will learn for yourself if you will read more carefully.
Gregory of NyssaAD 395
ON PERFECTION
Therefore, I do not think it is a fearful thing (I mean that our nature is changeable). The Logos shows that it would be a disadvantage for us not to be able to make a change for the better, as a kind of wing of flight to greater things. Therefore, let no one be grieved if he sees in his nature a penchant for change. Changing in everything for the better, let him exchange “glory for glory,” becoming greater through daily increase, ever perfecting himself and never arriving too quickly at the limit of perfection. For this is truly perfection: never to stop growing toward what is better and never placing any limit on perfection.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily 7 on 2 Corinthians
This transformeth us. This suffereth not to be conformed to this world; for such is the creation of which This is the Author. For as he saith, "Created in Christ Jesus," so saith he, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit in my inward parts."
Wilt thou that I show thee this also from the Apostles more obviously to the sense. Consider Paul, whose garments wrought: Peter, whose very shadows were mighty. For had they not borne a King's image and their radiancy been unapproachable, their garments and shadows had not wrought so mightily. For the garments of a king are terrible even to robbers. Wouldest thou see this beaming even through the body? "Looking steadfastly," said he, "upon the face of Stephen, they saw it as it had been the face of an angel." But this was nothing to the glory flashing within. For what Moses had upon his countenance, that did these carry about with them on their souls, yea 'rather' even far more. For that of Moses indeed was more obvious to the senses, but this was incorporeal.
John ChrysostomAD 407
BAPTISMAL INSTRUCTIONS 3.25
Do you wish to know of another way in which you were judged worthy of greater wonders? In their day the Jews were unable to see the face of Moses transfigured, although he was their fellow slave and kinsman. But you have seen the face of Christ in his glory. St. Paul cried aloud, saying: "But we all, with faces unveiled, reflect the glory of the Lord." At that time the Jews had Christ following them, but all the more does he follow us now. Then Christ followed along with them thanks to Moses; he goes along with us not only thanks to [the new] Moses but thanks to your own ready obedience. For the Jews, after Egypt came the desert; for you, after your exodus will come heaven. They had Moses as their leader and excellent general; we have another Moses, God, to lead and command us.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily 7 on 2 Corinthians
But what is, "we reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image." This indeed was shown more clearly when the gifts of miracles were in operation; howbeit it is not even now difficult to see it, for one who hath believing eyes. For as soon as we are baptized, the soul beameth even more than the sun, being cleansed by the Spirit; and not only do we behold the glory of God, but from it also receive a sort of splendor. Just as if pure silver be turned towards the sun's rays, it will itself also shoot forth rays, not from its own natural property merely but also from the solar lustre; so also doth the soul being cleansed and made brighter than silver, receive a ray from the glory of the Spirit, and send it back. Wherefore also he saith, "Reflecting as a mirror we are transformed into the same image from glory," that of the Spirit, "to glory," our own, that which is generated in us; and that, of such sort, as one might expect from the Lord the Spirit. See how here also he calleth the Spirit, Lord.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily 7 on 2 Corinthians
Then, that you may not think that he is speaking of a time to come, he says, "But we all, with unveiled face, reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord." Not that which is brought to an end, but that which remaineth. "Are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit."
Seest thou how again he places the Spirit in the rank of God, and raises them up to the rank of the Apostles. For he said before, "Ye are the Epistle of Christ; and here, "But we all with open face." Yet they came, like Moses, bringing a law. But like as we, he says, needed no veil, so neither ye who received it. And yet, this glory is far greater, for this is not of our countenance, but of the Spirit; but nevertheless ye are able as well as we to look steadfastly upon it. For they indeed could not even by a mediator, but ye even without a mediator can [look steadfastly on] a greater. They were not able to look upon that of Moses, ye even upon that of the Spirit. Now had the Spirit been at all inferior, He would not have set down these things as greater than those.
Severian of GabalaAD 425
PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH
We are being changed from knowledge of the law into the grace of the Spirit. And it must be remembered that from the glory of the Spirit working in us we come to the glory of our inheritance as sons. This is the work of the Spirit, for it must be held that here the word Lord refers to the Spirit and not to the Son of God.
Isaac of NinevehAD 700
ASCETICAL HOMILIES 2
Although “as in a mirror” indicates “not substantially,” it does show clearly, in any case, the acquisition of a likeness.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Second Corinthians 3:18 presents a profound truth about the New Covenant believer's experience: by beholding the unveiled glory of the Lord, we are progressively transformed into His very image. This spiritual metamorphosis, a journey "from glory to glory," is not achieved through human effort or adherence to a legalistic code, but is solely the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, granting us an ever-increasing likeness to Christ.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices to convey his powerful message in 2 Corinthians 3:18. The most prominent is Contrast, which runs throughout the entire chapter, setting the Old Covenant ministry of condemnation against the New Covenant ministry of the Spirit. This is vividly portrayed through the Imagery of the veiled face of Moses versus the "open face" of believers, symbolizing the restricted access under the law versus the unveiled access in Christ. The phrase "beholding as in a glass" functions as a rich Metaphor, comparing the gospel or the believer's spiritual perception to a mirror that reflects the Lord's glory, which then facilitates the transformation. The use of Allusion to the Exodus 34 account of Moses' veiled face is central, providing a familiar backdrop against which the radical new reality in Christ is presented. Finally, the phrase "from glory to glory" is an instance of Gradation or Progression, emphasizing the continuous and increasing nature of the believer's sanctification.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound truth of 2 Corinthians 3:18 resonates throughout biblical theology, particularly concerning the doctrine of sanctification and the believer's ultimate destiny. It teaches that Christian growth is not merely about moral improvement but a deep, internal metamorphosis into the very character and likeness of Christ, who is the perfect image of God. This transformation is entirely Spirit-empowered, highlighting the Holy Spirit's essential role in applying the work of Christ to the believer's life. It underscores the New Covenant's superiority, providing direct, unveiled access to God's glory, which then becomes the catalyst for our change. The process, described as "from glory to glory," emphasizes that sanctification is a lifelong journey of increasing conformity to Christ, culminating in our full glorification.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Second Corinthians 3:18 offers a breathtaking vision of the Christian life, inviting us into a dynamic process of transformation. It reminds us that our spiritual growth is not a self-help project but a divine work, initiated and sustained by the Holy Spirit as we fix our gaze upon the Lord. This "beholding" is not passive; it implies an active, contemplative engagement with God through His Word, prayer, and worship, allowing His glory—revealed preeminently in Christ—to permeate our inner being. As we consistently expose ourselves to the beauty and truth of Christ, the Spirit subtly yet powerfully reshapes our character, attitudes, and desires to increasingly mirror His own. This journey "from glory to glory" assures us that sanctification is a progressive, lifelong process, filled with grace and empowered by the Spirit, promising that we will continually grow in likeness to our Savior until the day we see Him face to face.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "open face" mean in this context?
Answer: "Open face" (Greek: anakalýptō prósōpon) stands in direct contrast to the veiled face of Moses described earlier in 2 Corinthians 3. It signifies unhindered, unveiled access to God's presence and glory. Unlike the Old Covenant, where a veil obscured the fading glory of the law, believers in Christ now have direct, unmediated vision of the Lord's glory, symbolizing freedom from the limitations and condemnation of the law and a clear understanding of God's truth in Christ.
How does "beholding as in a glass" lead to transformation?
Answer: The phrase "beholding as in a glass" (Greek: katoptrízomai) implies gazing into a mirror. In this context, the "mirror" is understood to be the gospel, which perfectly reflects the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. As believers fix their spiritual gaze upon Christ's glory, revealed in the gospel and illuminated by the Spirit, they are not merely observing but are actively absorbing and being imprinted by what they see. This active contemplation of Christ's character and splendor, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, is the mechanism by which believers are transformed into His likeness. It suggests that what we consistently focus on shapes who we become.
What does "from glory to glory" signify in the process of change?
Answer: "From glory to glory" emphasizes the progressive and continuous nature of the believer's transformation. It means moving from one level or degree of glory to a higher one, indicating an ongoing process of increasing Christ-likeness. It's not a sudden, complete change but a lifelong journey of sanctification, where the Holy Spirit continually refines and conforms us more and more into the image of Christ. This progression assures believers that their spiritual growth is dynamic and ever-increasing, leading towards the ultimate glorification when they will fully reflect Christ's image.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Second Corinthians 3:18 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the very image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15) and the radiance of God's glory (Hebrews 1:3). The transformation described in this verse—being "changed into the same image from glory to glory"—is precisely the Spirit's work of conforming believers to the image of Christ. It is by beholding His glory, revealed in the gospel and through His life, death, and resurrection, that we are metamorphosed. Christ Himself underwent a transfiguration, revealing His divine glory (Matthew 17:2), and it is to this glorious image that believers are being conformed. The "Lord" whose glory is beheld is Jesus Christ, and the "Spirit of the Lord" is the Holy Spirit who applies Christ's redemptive work, enabling us to progressively reflect the character and likeness of our Savior. Thus, 2 Corinthians 3:18 beautifully articulates the Christ-centered nature of sanctification, where our growth in holiness is fundamentally about becoming more like the One who redeemed us, empowered by His Spirit.