Exposition of 2 Corinthians 3:10-15
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:10–15 (NASB): "For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it. For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory. Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart."
Literary Context
This passage concludes Paul's sustained comparison between the old and new covenants that begins in 2 Corinthians 3:1. Paul has been defending his apostolic ministry against critics in Corinth who questioned his credentials. Rather than presenting letters of recommendation, he points to the Corinthians themselves as a "letter from Christ" written by the Spirit [4]. The comparison turns on the contrast between the ministry of the law, written on stone tablets, and the ministry of the Spirit, written on human hearts [2, 3].
The Argument from Glory
Verse 10 makes a striking claim: the Mosaic covenant, though glorious, now "has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it" [1]. Paul's logic is comparative—the lesser glory is eclipsed by the greater, much as stars fade when the sun rises [1]. The old covenant was temporary ("fading away"), while the new is permanent ("remains"). This permanence grounds the apostolic boldness Paul describes in verse 12, contrasting his open proclamation with Moses' veiled face.
Moses' Veil Reinterpreted
Paul draws on Exodus 34, where Moses veiled his face after speaking with God. The traditional reading held that Moses veiled himself because the Israelites could not bear the radiance. Paul offers a different interpretation: Moses veiled his face "so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away" (v. 13). The veil concealed not merely brightness but transience—the glory was already diminishing.
The Veil That Remains
Verses 14–15 shift from historical narrative to present reality. The same veil that covered Moses' face now lies over Jewish hearts when the old covenant is read. Paul attributes this to hardened minds and insists the veil is "removed in Christ" (v. 14). This is not merely intellectual blindness but a spiritual condition requiring divine intervention [3]. The passage thus functions both as apologetic (explaining Jewish unbelief) and as proclamation (announcing Christ as the one who removes the veil).
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “2 Corinthians 3:10 cross-references: Job 25:5, Isaiah 24:23, Haggai 2:3, Haggai 2:7, Acts 26:13, Philippians 3:7, 2 Peter 1:17, Revelation 21:23, Revelation 22:5”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Corinthians 3:5 cross-references: Matthew 25:15, Luke 1:2, John 3:27, Romans 10:14, Romans 12:3, 1 Corinthians 3:7, 1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 4:1, 1 Corinthians 9:17, 1 Corinthians 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 2 Corinthians 3:3, 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 6:1, 2 Corinthians 6:4, 2 Corinthians 11:23, Ephesians 3:7, Colossians 1:25, 1 Peter 4:10”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “2 Corinthians 3:5 cross-references: Exodus 4:10, Jeremiah 1:6, Matthew 10:19, Luke 21:15, Luke 24:49, John 15:5, 1 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 2:13, Philippians 4:13, James 1:17”
- 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 3 (introduction): The apostle makes an apology for his seeming to commend himself, and is careful not to assume too much to himself, but to ascribe all praise unto God (Co2 3:1-5). He then draws a comparison between the Old Testament and the New, and shows the excellency of the later above the former (Co2 3:6-11), whence he infers what is the duty of gospel ministers, and the advantage of those who live under the gospel above those who lived under the law (Co2 3:12 to the end).”