2 Corinthians 3:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Unlike Moses, who veiled his face so Israel would not watch the radiance fade, Paul ministers with nothing hidden.
What Does 2 Corinthians 3:13 Mean?
Paul recalls how Moses covered his shining face with a veil after speaking with God. He reads this as a sign: the people were kept from gazing as the glory faded away, the glory of an order that was passing.
Paul contrasts his own openness with that veiling. He has no fading splendor to conceal, for the glory of the new covenant does not diminish. The veil becomes a symbol of something temporary, a glory meant to give way to a greater one. In Christ there is no need to hide, for what he gives only grows brighter, leading from glory to glory.
2 Corinthians 3:13 in the Original Language
kalumma (κάλυμμα), 'vail' -- a covering or veil, here laid over Moses' face and later over the heart.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 3:13
What does 2 Corinthians 3:13 mean?
Unlike Moses, who veiled his face so Israel would not watch the radiance fade, Paul ministers with nothing hidden.