Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, New Living Translation The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. English Standard Version Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, Berean Standard Bible 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, Berean Literal Bible Now if the ministry of death, having been engraved in letters on stones, was produced 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 which is fading, King James Bible 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: New King James Version But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, New American Standard Bible But if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones, came with glory so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, NASB 1995 But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, NASB 1977 But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, Legacy Standard Bible But if the ministry of death, in letters having been engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, which was being brought to an end, Amplified Bible Now if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones [the covenant of the Law which led to death because of sin], came with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, [a brilliance] that was fading, Christian Standard Bible Now if the ministry that brought death, chiseled in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the Israelites were not able to gaze steadily at Moses’s face because of its glory, which was set aside, Holman Christian Standard Bible Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the Israelites were not able to look directly at Moses’ face because of the glory from his face—a fading glory— American Standard Version 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: Contemporary English Version The Law of Moses brought only the promise of death, even though it was carved on stones and given in a wonderful way. Still the Law made Moses' face shine so brightly the people of Israel could not look at it, even though it was a fading glory. English Revised Version 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: GOD'S WORD® Translation The ministry that brought death was inscribed on stone. Yet, it came with such glory that the people of Israel couldn't look at Moses' face. His face was shining with glory, even though that glory was fading. Good News Translation The Law was carved in letters on stone tablets, and God's glory appeared when it was given. Even though the brightness on Moses' face was fading, it was so strong that the people of Israel could not keep their eyes fixed on him. If the Law, which brings death when it is in force, came with such glory, International Standard Version Now if the ministry of death that was inscribed in letters of stone came with such glory that the people of Israel could not gaze on Moses' face (because the glory was fading away from it), Majority Standard Bible 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, NET Bible But if the ministry that produced death--carved in letters on stone tablets--came with glory, so that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (a glory which was made ineffective), New Heart English Bible But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which was passing away: Webster's Bible Translation But if the ministration of death, written and engraven on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away; Weymouth New Testament If, however, the service that proclaims death--its code being engraved in writing upon stones--came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily on the face of Moses because of the brightness of his face--a vanishing brightness; World English Bible But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd if the ministry of death, in letters, engraved in stones, came in glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look steadfastly into the face of Moses, because of the glory of his face—which was being made useless, Berean Literal Bible Now if the ministry of death, having been engraved in letters on stones, was produced 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 which is fading, Young's Literal Translation and if the ministration of the death, in letters, engraved in stones, came in glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look stedfastly to the face of Moses, because of the glory of his face -- which was being made useless, Smith's Literal Translation And if the service of death, in letters imprinted in stones, was in glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently to the face of Moses for the glory of his face; being left unemployed. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow if the ministration of death, engraven with letters upon stones, was glorious; so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, which is made void: Catholic Public Domain Version But if the ministration of death, engraved with letters upon stones, was in glory, (so much so that the sons of Israel were not able to gaze intently upon the face of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance) even though this ministration was ineffective, New American Bible Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so glorious that the Israelites could not look intently at the face of Moses because of its glory that was going to fade, New Revised Standard Version Now if the ministry of death, chiseled in letters on stone tablets, came in glory so that the people of Israel could not gaze at Moses’ face because of the glory of his face, a glory now set aside, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow if the ministration of death, as contained in the letter of the law and engraved on stones, was so glorious that the children of Israel could not look at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance; which glory was not lasting: Aramaic Bible in Plain English But if the ministry of death in The Scripture carved in stone was with glory, so that the children of Israel were not able to gaze at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face ( that which has been canceled ), NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor if the ministering of death, by means of a covenant that was written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the sons of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses, on account of the glory of his face, which glory was to come to an end: Godbey New Testament But if the ministry of death, having been written in letters of stone, was in glory, so that the sons of Israel were not able to look upon the face of Moses on account of the glory of his countenance; which was destined to be done away: Haweis New Testament For if the ministry of death in letters graven on stone, was attended with glory, so that the children of Israel could not keep their eyes fixed upon the countenance of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance, though soon evanescent; Mace New Testament now if the law engraven on stone, the letter of whose sanction is death, was delivered with such glory, that the children of Israel could not steadily behold the face of Moses, for the glory of his countenance, tho' it was transient; Weymouth New Testament If, however, the service that proclaims death--its code being engraved in writing upon stones--came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily on the face of Moses because of the brightness of his face--a vanishing brightness; Worrell New Testament But, if the ministration of death, engraven in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look steadily upon the face of Moses on account of the glory of his face, which glory was passing away; Worsley New Testament Now if the ministration of death which was in writing, and engraven on stones, was so glorious that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly on the face of Moses, because of the lustre of his countenance, which was to be taken away: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Glory of the New Covenant6And 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. 7Now 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, 8will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?… Cross References Exodus 34:29-35 And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD. / Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him. / But Moses called out to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke to them. ... Hebrews 8:6-13 Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. / For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second. / But God found fault with the people and said: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. ... Romans 7:6 But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. Galatians 3:19-25 Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. / A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one. / Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law. ... Hebrews 3:1-6 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. / He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. / For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. ... Romans 8:2-4 For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. / For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, / so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:18-24 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ... Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes. Galatians 4:21-31 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says? / For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. ... Colossians 2:14 having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! Acts 7:53 you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.” Romans 3:20 Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. Hebrews 9:15 Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Treasury of Scripture But if the ministration of death, written and engraved in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: the ministration. 2 Corinthians 3:6,9 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… Romans 7:10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. written. 2 Corinthians 3:3 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. Exodus 24:12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. Exodus 31:18 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. was. Deuteronomy 4:8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Nehemiah 9:13 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: Psalm 19:7,8 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple… that. Exodus 34:29-35 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him… Luke 9:29-31 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering… Acts 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. which. 2 Corinthians 3:10,11,14 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth… Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. Jump to Previous Brightness Carved Children Code Countenance Death Dispensation Engraved Engraven Eyes Face Fading Glorious Glory However Intently Israel Israelites Letters Ministration Moses Operation Passing Proclaims Recorded Service Splendor Steadfastly Steadily Stedfastly Stone Stones Turned Writing WrittenJump to Next Brightness Carved Children Code Countenance Death Dispensation Engraved Engraven Eyes Face Fading Glorious Glory However Intently Israel Israelites Letters Ministration Moses Operation Passing Proclaims Recorded Service Splendor Steadfastly Steadily Stedfastly Stone Stones Turned Writing Written2 Corinthians 3 1. Lest their false teachers should charge him with vain glory, 2. he shows the faith of the Corinthians to be a sufficient commendation of his ministry. 6. Whereupon entering a comparison between the ministers of the law and of the gospel, 12. he proves that his ministry is so far the more excellent, 17. as the gospel of life and liberty is more glorious than the law of condemnation. Now if the ministry of death The phrase "ministry of death" refers to the Old Covenant, specifically the Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites. The Greek word for "ministry" is "diakonia," which implies service or administration. The "ministry of death" suggests that the Law, while holy and righteous, ultimately brought awareness of sin and its consequences, which is death (Romans 6:23). The Law was unable to impart life; instead, it highlighted humanity's inability to achieve righteousness on their own. 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 which was fading So that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold . . .--The narrative in Exodus 34:29-35 records that when Moses came down from the mount with the second tables of stone, "the skin of his face shone," and the "people were afraid to draw nigh unto him." The English version--that "till Moses had done speaking with them he put a vail on his face," and that "when he went in before the Lord he took it off until he came out"--suggests the thought that he appeared to the people, after the first manifestation of the unconscious glory, as a veiled prophet. It is doubtful, however, whether this is the natural meaning of the Hebrew, and Exodus 34:35 repeats the statement that the Israelites saw the glory. The LXX., Vulgate, and most modern versions give, "When he ceased speaking he put a veil on his face." They saw the brightness, they shrank from it in awe, they were not allowed to watch it to the end and gaze on its disappearance. This was the sequence of facts that St. Paul had in his thoughts, and which he certainly found in the LXX.; and it is of this, accordingly, that he speaks. The children of Israel could not bear to look on the glory, even though it was perishing and evanescent. The English rendering, "which glory was to be done away," reads into the participle a gerundial force that does not properly belong to it; and it may be noted that it is the first of the great English versions that does so, the others giving, "which is made void," or "which is done away." It would be better expressed, perhaps, by, which was in the act of passing away. The Greek word is the same as that on which our translators have rung so many changes in 1Corinthians 13:8-11. It was a favourite word with St. Paul at this period of his life, occurring twenty-two times in 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, and Romans, and three times only in his other Epistles. It may be noted that the Vulgate rendering of Exodus 34:29, "ignorabat quod cornuta esset facies ejus" ("he knew not that his face was horned"), has given rise to the representations of Moses with horns, or rays of light taking the place of horns, as in Michael Angelo's statue in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli at Rome, and pictorial representations generally. Verse 7. - The ministration of death. The ministration, that is, of the Law, of "the letter which killeth." St. Paul here begins one of the arguments a minori ad majus which are the very basis of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Written and engraven in stones; literally, engraved in letters on stones (Exodus 31:18). The reference shows that, in speaking of "the letter," St. Paul was only thinking of the Mosaic Law, and indeed specifically of the Decalogue. Was glorious; literally, occurred in glory, or, proved itself glorious. In itself the Law was "holy, just, and good" (Romans 7:12), and given "at the disposition of angels" (Acts 7:53); and its transitory glory was illustrated by the lustre which the face of Moses caught by reflection from his intercourse with God (Exodus 24:16). Could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses (Exodus 34:29, 30). St. Paul has been led quite incidentally into this digression in the course of defending himself by describing the nature of his ministry; but it bore very definitely on his general purpose, because his chief opponents were Judaists, whose one aim it was to bind upon the Church the yoke of Mosaism. That they could not "behold" the face of Moses is the hagadah, or traditional legend, derived from Exodus 34:30, which says that "they were afraid to draw nigh to him. The reader may recall the beautiful lines of Cardinal Newman-"Lord l grant me this abiding grace - Greek Nowδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. if Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. ministry διακονία (diakonia) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 1248: Waiting at table; in a wider sense: service, ministration. From diakonos; attendance; figuratively aid, service. of death, θανάτου (thanatou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2288: Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death. which was engraved ἐντετυπωμένη (entetypōmenē) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 1795: To engrave, imprint. From en and a derivative of tupos; to enstamp, i.e. Engrave. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. letters γράμμασιν (grammasin) Noun - Dative Neuter Plural Strong's 1121: From grapho; a writing, i.e. A letter, note, epistle, book, etc. plural learning. on stone, λίθοις (lithois) Noun - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 3037: A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone. came ἐγενήθη (egenēthē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. with ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. {such} glory δόξῃ (doxē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application. that ὥστε (hōste) Conjunction Strong's 5620: So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Israelites Ἰσραὴλ (Israēl) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2474: Of Hebrew origin; Israel, the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants. could δύνασθαι (dynasthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. not μὴ (mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. gaze ἀτενίσαι (atenisai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 816: To direct my gaze, look steadily. From a compound of a and teino; to gaze intently. at εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. face πρόσωπον (prosōpon) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 4383: From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person. of Moses Μωϋσέως (Mōuseōs) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3475: Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver. because of διὰ (dia) Preposition Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. [its] προσώπου (prosōpou) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 4383: From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person. fleeting καταργουμένην (katargoumenēn) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2673: From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively. glory, δόξαν (doxan) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application. Links 2 Corinthians 3:7 NIV2 Corinthians 3:7 NLT 2 Corinthians 3:7 ESV 2 Corinthians 3:7 NASB 2 Corinthians 3:7 KJV 2 Corinthians 3:7 BibleApps.com 2 Corinthians 3:7 Biblia Paralela 2 Corinthians 3:7 Chinese Bible 2 Corinthians 3:7 French Bible 2 Corinthians 3:7 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 3:7 But if the service of death written (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) |
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