2 corinthians 3:13 - and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "2 corinthians 3:13" mean?
This verse, 2 Corinthians 3:13, is a key part of Paul's argument in comparing the Old Covenant (represented by Moses) with the New Covenant in Christ. To understand it, let's break it down:
"and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face..." This refers to the story in Exodus 34:29-35. After Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, his face shone so brightly that the Israelites were afraid to approach him. To deal with this, Moses wore a veil when he spoke to them, and removed it only when he went before God.
"...that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away." This is the critical part. Paul isn't just talking about the literal shining of Moses' face. He's using it metaphorically to represent something deeper:
"the end of that which was passing away" is generally understood to be the fading glory of the Old Covenant (the Law of Moses). Paul argues that the Old Covenant, while glorious in its time, was temporary and was designed to point towards something greater—the New Covenant in Christ. The glory of the Law was diminishing because it was fulfilled and superseded by Christ.
"look steadfastly" The Israelites were not able to perceive the fading glory because of the veil. Paul uses it as an analogy that their hearts and minds are closed and they can't see the end of the old way and the dawning of a new era of grace and freedom in Christ.
In essence, Paul is arguing that Moses' veil symbolizes:
The obscurity and hidden nature of the Old Covenant: While the Law was good, it didn't fully reveal God's grace and plan of salvation. It was like a veiled glimpse, not a clear picture.
The inability of the Israelites (and, by extension, those who cling to the Law alone) to fully understand the Law's purpose: They couldn't see that the Law was designed to lead them to Christ. They were stuck on the external rules and regulations and missed the underlying spiritual reality.
The fading glory of the Old Covenant: The Old Covenant had a certain glory, but it was a temporary glory that was meant to fade as the New Covenant in Christ came into full effect. The veil prevented people from seeing this decline.
A sort of spiritual blindness: By only focusing on the literal letter of the law and its fading glory, the Israelites could not recognize the need for and beauty of God's new covenant through Christ.
Therefore, Paul's point is that the veil represents a spiritual barrier that prevents people from seeing the true meaning of the Old Covenant and the coming of Christ. He contrasts this with the New Covenant, which, in his view, is characterized by unveiled access to God's grace and a clearer understanding of his plan. The veil is now removed for those who turn to Christ (2 Corinthians 3:16).
The verse is crucial for understanding Paul's theology, especially his emphasis on the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old. He's not condemning the Law, but he's arguing that it was a temporary measure that has now been fulfilled in Christ, and that clinging to it without embracing Christ is like trying to hold onto a fading light while the sun is rising.
2 corinthians 3:13 - and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away.
What does "2 corinthians 3:13" mean?
This verse, 2 Corinthians 3:13, is a key part of Paul's argument in comparing the Old Covenant (represented by Moses) with the New Covenant in Christ. To understand it, let's break it down:
"and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face..." This refers to the story in Exodus 34:29-35. After Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, his face shone so brightly that the Israelites were afraid to approach him. To deal with this, Moses wore a veil when he spoke to them, and removed it only when he went before God.
"...that the children of Israel wouldn’t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away." This is the critical part. Paul isn't just talking about the literal shining of Moses' face. He's using it metaphorically to represent something deeper:
"the end of that which was passing away" is generally understood to be the fading glory of the Old Covenant (the Law of Moses). Paul argues that the Old Covenant, while glorious in its time, was temporary and was designed to point towards something greater—the New Covenant in Christ. The glory of the Law was diminishing because it was fulfilled and superseded by Christ.
"look steadfastly" The Israelites were not able to perceive the fading glory because of the veil. Paul uses it as an analogy that their hearts and minds are closed and they can't see the end of the old way and the dawning of a new era of grace and freedom in Christ.
In essence, Paul is arguing that Moses' veil symbolizes:
The obscurity and hidden nature of the Old Covenant: While the Law was good, it didn't fully reveal God's grace and plan of salvation. It was like a veiled glimpse, not a clear picture.
The inability of the Israelites (and, by extension, those who cling to the Law alone) to fully understand the Law's purpose: They couldn't see that the Law was designed to lead them to Christ. They were stuck on the external rules and regulations and missed the underlying spiritual reality.
The fading glory of the Old Covenant: The Old Covenant had a certain glory, but it was a temporary glory that was meant to fade as the New Covenant in Christ came into full effect. The veil prevented people from seeing this decline.
A sort of spiritual blindness: By only focusing on the literal letter of the law and its fading glory, the Israelites could not recognize the need for and beauty of God's new covenant through Christ.
Therefore, Paul's point is that the veil represents a spiritual barrier that prevents people from seeing the true meaning of the Old Covenant and the coming of Christ. He contrasts this with the New Covenant, which, in his view, is characterized by unveiled access to God's grace and a clearer understanding of his plan. The veil is now removed for those who turn to Christ (2 Corinthians 3:16).
The verse is crucial for understanding Paul's theology, especially his emphasis on the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old. He's not condemning the Law, but he's arguing that it was a temporary measure that has now been fulfilled in Christ, and that clinging to it without embracing Christ is like trying to hold onto a fading light while the sun is rising.