2 Corinthians 3:7

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:

But {G1161} if {G1487} the ministration {G1248} of death {G2288}, written {G1722}{G1121} and engraven {G1795} in {G1722} stones {G3037}, was {G1096} glorious {G1722}{G1391}, so {G5620} that the children {G5207} of Israel {G2474} could {G1410} not {G3361} stedfastly behold {G816} the face {G1519}{G4383} of Moses {G3475} for {G1223} the glory {G1391} of his {G846} countenance {G4383}; which {G3588} glory was to be done away {G2673}:

Now if that which worked death, by means of a written text engraved on stone tablets, came with glory — such glory that the people of Isra’el could not stand to look at Moshe’s face because of its brightness, even though that brightness was already fading away —

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,

But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away:

Commentary

2 Corinthians 3:7 delves into a profound comparison between the Old Covenant, represented by the Law given through Moses, and the New Covenant, which Paul introduces in subsequent verses. This verse specifically highlights the undeniable glory associated with the Mosaic Law, even though it served a temporary purpose.

Context

In 2 Corinthians chapter 3, the Apostle Paul is defending his ministry and, more broadly, the nature of the New Covenant in Christ. He contrasts the "ministration of the letter" (the Law) with the "ministration of the Spirit." Verse 7 sets the stage by recalling a pivotal moment in Israel's history: Moses descending Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments. After receiving the Law, Moses' face shone so brightly with divine glory that the Israelites could not look directly at him, requiring him to wear a veil. This physical manifestation of glory underscored the power and divine origin of the Law.

Key Themes

  • The Glory of the Old Covenant: Paul acknowledges that the Law, despite its limitations, possessed a genuine and awe-inspiring glory. It was a direct revelation from God, powerful enough to transform Moses' appearance.
  • The Temporary Nature of the Law's Glory: The phrase "which glory was to be done away" is crucial. It signifies that the glory of the Old Covenant was not meant to be eternal or ultimate. It was temporary, foreshadowing something greater that was to come.
  • The Law as a "Ministration of Death": While glorious, the Law is called the "ministration of death" because it reveals sin and brings condemnation. It exposes humanity's inability to perfectly keep God's commands, thus leading to spiritual death rather than life. It points out sin but cannot remove it.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "ministration of death, written and engraven in stones" clearly refers to the Ten Commandments, literally carved into stone tablets. The term "done away" (Greek: katargeō) implies not destruction, but rather being made ineffective, abolished, or superseded. It suggests a fading or a being brought to an end in terms of its primary function, making way for something superior.

Related Scriptures

This verse lays the groundwork for Paul's argument in the following verses, where he contrasts this fading glory with the enduring and even greater glory of the "ministration of the Spirit" and the "ministration of righteousness". The Law served to reveal sin (Romans 3:20) and lead people to Christ (Galatians 3:24), but it was not the ultimate solution for salvation.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Corinthians 3:7 reminds us of the profound shift from the Old Covenant to the New. While the Law revealed God's holiness and humanity's sin, it could not provide life. Our hope and righteousness are not found in perfect adherence to rules but in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. This verse encourages us to look beyond the limitations of the Law to the surpassing glory of the New Covenant, where God's Spirit empowers us to live in righteousness and freedom, not under condemnation but under grace.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Corinthians 3:9 (10 votes)

    For if the ministration of condemnation [be] glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:11 (10 votes)

    For if that which is done away [was] glorious, much more that which remaineth [is] glorious.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:10 (7 votes)

    But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

  • Romans 10:4 (7 votes)

    For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

  • Exodus 31:18 (7 votes)

    And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:3 (6 votes)

    [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:6 (6 votes)

    ¶ Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.