2 Corinthians 3:13

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:

And {G2532} not {G3756} as {G2509} Moses {G3475}, which put {G5087} a vail {G2571} over {G1909} his {G1438} face {G4383}, that {G4314} the children {G5207} of Israel {G2474} could {G816} not {G3361} stedfastly look {G816} to {G1519} the end {G5056} of that which is abolished {G2673}:

unlike Moshe, who put a veil over his face, so that the people of Isra’el would not see the fading brightness come to an end.

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.

andarenot as Moses, whoput a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly on the end of that which was passing away:

Commentary

Context of 2 Corinthians 3:13

This verse is part of a profound section in 2 Corinthians where the Apostle Paul contrasts the Old Covenant (the Law given through Moses) with the New Covenant (the ministry of the Spirit established through Christ). Paul has just described the "ministry of death, written and engraven in stones," which had a "glory" that caused the children of Israel to be unable to "stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance" (2 Corinthians 3:7). Verse 13 specifically refers back to the historical account in Exodus 34:33-35, where Moses put a veil over his face after speaking with God because his face shone with divine glory.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Fading Glory of the Old Covenant: Moses' veil symbolized the temporary and diminishing nature of the Law's glory. The children of Israel could not gaze upon the fading glory, which hinted at the temporary nature of that covenant itself. This contrasts sharply with the enduring and increasing glory of the New Covenant in Christ.
  • The Purpose of the Veil: The veil prevented the Israelites from seeing "the end of that which is abolished." This suggests that if they had seen the glory fading, they might have understood its impermanence and looked beyond it. The veil served to obscure the transient nature of the Law, keeping their focus fixed on a system that was destined to be superseded.
  • Transition from Law to Grace: The verse underscores the fulfillment and supersession of the Old Covenant by the New. The Law, while glorious in its time, was a preparatory stage, pointing towards Christ. Its glory was transient because it was not the ultimate reality.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "stedfastly look" comes from the Greek word atenizō (ἀτενίζω), meaning "to fix one's eyes upon," "to gaze intently," or "to stare." This emphasizes the inability of the Israelites to endure or fully comprehend the glory, especially as it was fading.

The word "abolished" is a translation of the Greek katargeō (καταργέω). This significant word means to render inoperative, to bring to an end, to nullify, or to make void. It does not mean to destroy or annihilate, but rather to fulfill and set aside as no longer binding or effective in the same way. The Old Covenant was not destroyed, but its function as the primary means of relating to God was brought to an end by the superior and permanent New Covenant, much like a temporary scaffolding is removed once a building is complete. This concept is further explored when Paul discusses how Christ is the end of the law for righteousness.

Practical Application

This verse highlights the immense privilege and clarity believers have under the New Covenant. Unlike the veiled and fading glory of the Old, the New Covenant offers direct, unveiled access to God through Christ. We are not meant to live under a system of obscure or temporary revelation, but rather to experience the full, enduring glory of God's grace and Spirit. It encourages us to understand that while the Law was good and necessary, it was a shadow of the good things to come, which are now fully realized in Jesus Christ. Our faith is founded on an unceasing glory, not a fading one, leading to true freedom and understanding (2 Corinthians 3:17).

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 34:33 (11 votes)

    And [till] Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.

  • Exodus 34:35 (11 votes)

    And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

  • Hebrews 10:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

  • Hebrews 10:9 (4 votes)

    Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

  • Ephesians 2:14 (4 votes)

    ¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];

  • Ephesians 2:15 (4 votes)

    Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;

  • 2 Corinthians 3:7 (4 votes)

    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: