Significance of Beholding the Glory of the Lord in 2 Corinthians 3:18
The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 3:18, describes a transformative process for believers: "But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit" [1]. This verse stands in contrast to the veiled understanding of the Old Covenant, particularly as experienced by Moses and the Jewish people [3, 6].
The immediate literary context of 2 Corinthians 3 involves a comparison between the Old Covenant, represented by Moses and the Law, and the New Covenant, established through Christ and the Spirit. Paul refers to Moses' veiled face after encountering God's glory on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29-35), noting that the veil prevented the Israelites from seeing the fading glory of the old covenant [3]. In contrast, Paul asserts that Christians, with "unveiled face," behold the Lord's glory [3]. This "unveiled face" signifies the removal of spiritual blindness, which occurs at conversion when one "turns to the Lord" [3, 5, 6].
The phrase "seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror" is central to understanding this transformation [1]. The "mirror" here refers to the Gospel, which reflects the glory of God and Christ [3]. This glory is exhibited in Christ, as seen in John 1:14 and Hebrews 1:3, and is also described as God's majesty, power, works, and holiness [2]. The act of beholding this glory is not a passive observation but an active engagement that leads to change [3].
The transformation described is "into the same image," specifically the image of Christ's glory [3]. This process is progressive, moving "from glory to glory" [1]. This indicates a continuous spiritual growth and conformity to Christ's likeness, which begins in this life and culminates in the next [5]. The ultimate goal is to become more and more like Christ, reflecting His splendor [4, 5]. This transformation is attributed to "the Lord, the Spirit," emphasizing the Holy Spirit's role in enabling believers to perceive and be changed by God's glory [1, 3].
The concept of "glorying in the Lord" is also relevant here, as seen in other Pauline epistles. Paul emphasizes that believers should glory not in themselves or their own achievements, but in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the source of all gifts, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption [7, 8, 9]. This aligns with the idea that beholding the Lord's glory leads to a deeper appreciation and reflection of His character.
The passage highlights a significant distinction between the Old and New Covenants. While Moses' face was veiled, and the Jewish people still have a "veil on their hearts" when reading the Old Testament, Christians experience an open and direct encounter with God's glory through Christ [3, 6]. This freedom in the Spirit allows believers to receive something Moses never fully knew, leading to an ongoing process of becoming more like Christ [5]. This divine glory experienced in the present life is a precursor to being fully like Christ in the life to come [5].
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. -- 2 Corinthians 3:18”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 3:18: But we all--Christians, as contrasted with the Jews who have a veil on their hearts, answering to Moses' veil on his face. He does not resume reference to ministers till Co2 4:1. with open face--Translate, "with unveiled face" (the veil being removed at conversion): contrasted with "hid" (Co2 4:3). as in a glass--in a mirror, namely, the Gospel which reflects the glory of God and Christ (Co2 4:4; Co1 13:12; Jam 1:23, Jam 1:25). are changed into the same image--namely, the image of Christ's glory, spiritually now (Rom 8:29; Jo1 3:3); an ear”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 8:23: 8:23 they bring honor to Christ: Paul’s last phrase is even more expressive in Greek (literally they are the glory of Christ)—they are examples of Christians who reflect the Lord’s splendor (3:1-18).”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 3:16: 3:16-18 The believer who turns to the Lord has freedom in the Spirit. We receive something Moses never knew as we become more and more like Christ (4:4; John 1:1-14; Col 1:15; Heb 1:1-4) and reflect the glory of the Lord. Divine glory in this present life leads to our being like Christ in the next life (Rom 8:29; Gal 4:19; Phil 3:21; 1 Jn 3:2).”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 3:18: But we all with open face,.... We are not like Moses, who had a veil on his face; nor like the Jews, who have one on their hearts: "but we all"; not ministers and preachers of the Gospel only, but all believers, whether Jews or Gentiles, greater or lesser believers, who are enlightened by the Spirit of God, and are converted to Christ: "with open face"; which may regard the object beheld, the glory of Christ unveiled, that has no veil on it, as Moses had on his face, when he delivered the law; or the persons beholding, who are rid of Jewish darkness; the veil o”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 1:31: glory in . . . Lord-- (Jer 9:23-24) --in opposition to "flesh glorying in His presence" (Co1 1:29). In contrast to morbid slavish self-abasement, Paul joins with humility the elevating consciousness of our true dignity in Christ. He who glories is to glory in the Lord, not in the flesh, nor in the world. Next: 1 Corinthians Chapter 2”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 10:15: But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. Not in himself, nor in his outward circumstances of life, or inward endowments of mind; not in his natural or acquired parts; not in his wisdom, knowledge, learning, and eloquence; nor in his own righteousness, labours, and services, much less in other men's labours; nor in his own sense of himself; nor in the opinion and popular applause of others; but in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the author and donor of all gifts, natural and spiritual; in his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; and in his j”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 1:31: That, according as it is written,.... Jer 9:23. He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord; not in his own wisdom, riches, and strength; but in Christ, as his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Next: 1 Corinthians Chapter 2”