2 Corinthians 3:7 Meaning and Explanation
“But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even the law engraved on stone came with such glory that Israel could not gaze at Moses' shining face, though that radiance was destined to fade.
What Does 2 Corinthians 3:7 Mean?
Paul turns to the scene at Sinai, where Moses descended with the commandments and his face shone so brightly the people drew back. He calls this the ministry of death, not to demean the law but because the commandment, by itself, pronounced sentence on sin.
His argument moves from lesser to greater. If even a ministry that exposed guilt was attended by visible glory, how much more weighty must the ministry of the Spirit be. The fading of Moses' radiance becomes a quiet sign: that older glory, real as it was, pointed beyond itself to something more lasting. God was preparing his people for a brighter day.
2 Corinthians 3:7 in the Original Language
katargeo (καταργέω), 'done away' -- to render inoperative, to bring to an end or cause to fade.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 3:7
What does 2 Corinthians 3:7 mean?
Even the law engraved on stone came with such glory that Israel could not gaze at Moses' shining face, though that radiance was destined to fade.