Glory to Glory … 2 Corinthians 3:18

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Key Verse

  • But we all, with unveiled1 face, beholding2 as in a mirror the glory3 of the Lord, are being transformed4 into the same image from5 glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

Other versions

  • And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP

Full Passage

  • 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, how will the ministry of the Spirit [the new covenant which allows us to be Spirit-filled] fail to be even more glorious and splendid? For if the ministry that brings condemnation [the old covenant, the Law] has glory, how much more does glory overflow in the ministry that brings righteousness [the new covenant which declares believers free of guilt and sets them apart for God’s special purpose]! Indeed, what had glory [the Law], in this case no longer has glory because of the glory that surpasses it [the gospel]. For if that [Law] which fades away came with glory, how much more must that [gospel] which remains and is permanent abide in glory and splendor! Since we have such a [glorious] hope and confident expectation, we speak with great courage, and we are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the Israelites would not gaze at the end of the glory which was fading away. But [in fact] their minds were hardened [for they had lost the ability to understand]; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed [only] in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil [of blindness] lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns [in repentance and faith] to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom]. And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 AMP

Present & Future Glory

  • [But what of that?] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us For [even the whole] creation (all nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God’s sons to be made known [waits for the revealing, the disclosing of their sonship]. Romans 8:18-19 AMPC

Other versions

  • For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation6 of the sons of God. Romans 8:19 KJV

Manifestation = be revealed to take off the cover, i.e. disclose:–reveal.

Footnotes

  1. "Unveiled" implying believers. See 2 Corinthians 3:16 AMP
  2. beholding the glory of the Lord = His Presence
  3. Implying that spending time in God's Presence transforms us.
  4. 3339 μεταμορφόω [METAMORFO/W] {metamorphóō} \met-am-or-fo'-o\ from 3326 and 3445; to transform (literally or figuratively, "metamorphose"):--change, transfigure, transform.
  5. we are being transformed ... from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory
  6. 602 ἀποκάλυψις [A)POKA/LUYIS] {apokálypsis} \ap-ok-al'-oop-sis\ from 601; disclosure:--appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.
    601 ἀποκαλύπτω [A)POKALU/PTW] {apokalýptō} \ap-ok-al-oop'-to\ from 575 and 2572; to take off the cover, i.e. disclose:--reveal.