2 Corinthians 3:18 Meaning and Explanation
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As we keep our eyes on the glory of the Lord, we are slowly changed to look more like Him.
The Context of 2 Corinthians 3:18
Paul has been contrasting his ministry with the time Moses came down from Sinai with a shining face, then veiled it (Exodus 34, recalled in verses 7 to 16). Now he says the veil is gone for all who turn to the Lord.
What Does 2 Corinthians 3:18 Mean?
Moses had to cover his face after meeting God, but Paul says we now come with open face, unveiled, gazing on the glory of the Lord. The word for 'glass' means a mirror, and as we keep looking, something happens to us: we are changed into the same image we behold. The transformation is gradual, from glory to glory, one degree at a time, and it comes to us as a gift. It is the work of the Spirit of the Lord, quietly reshaping us as we look.
What we behold is the glory of the Lord, and that glory has a face: the face of Jesus, in whom we see God most clearly (chapter 4, verse 6). To look at Him is to slowly become like Him. This is the long, patient work of God in a life, turning us by degrees into the likeness we were made for, and He promises to finish what He has begun.
2 Corinthians 3:18 in the Original Language
metamorphoo (μεταμορφόω), 'changed' -- transformed from within, the same word used of Jesus' transfiguration.
How to Apply 2 Corinthians 3:18 Today
We become like what we behold, and so this verse invites us to keep looking at Christ. The change comes slowly, from glory to glory, and the Spirit Himself works it in us as we turn our attention again and again to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 3:18
What does 2 Corinthians 3:18 mean?
As we keep our eyes on the glory of the Lord, we are slowly changed to look more like Him.
What is the context of 2 Corinthians 3:18?
Paul has been contrasting his ministry with the time Moses came down from Sinai with a shining face, then veiled it (Exodus 34, recalled in verses 7 to 16). Now he says the veil is gone for all who turn to the Lord.
How can I apply 2 Corinthians 3:18 today?
We become like what we behold, and so this verse invites us to keep looking at Christ. The change comes slowly, from glory to glory, and the Spirit Himself works it in us as we turn our attention again and again to Him.