Epiphany · The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Last Sunday after the Epiphany) · Year B
2 Corinthians 3:12-13 (14-18) 4:1-6
The Glory of the New Covenant
February 7, 2027
Overview & Insights
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
In contrast to the death that the law brings because of the people’s inability to obey, Paul affirms that the Spirit gives life. According to Ezekiel, the life-giving Spirit is the central feature of the prophetic expectation of the restoration from exile. After the people have been punished and purged and brought again through the wilderness in a “new exodus,” they will be given a new Spirit that will reanimate the nation dead in its trespasses and sins (cf. Ezek. 11:19; 18:31; 36:26). The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37:1–14 portrays the exiles as bones into which God breathes his Spirit in order to reconstitute the nation of Israel on a new basis in the land (cf. 37:15–28). Hence, as S. Hafemann correctly observes, “The startling implication of 2 Cor.
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Commentary
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed exposition on the unveiled face and the freedom of the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse by verse evangelical treatment of the surpassing glory of the new covenant.
2 Corinthians 3 Commentary Precept Austin
Study page collecting Greek notes and cross references on the veil and glory.
2 Corinthians 3:12 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators gathered verse by verse on beholding the Lord's glory.
Background & Word Study
2 Corinthians 3:12 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for the veil, glory, and transformation vocabulary.
Enter the Bible: 2 Corinthians Enter the Bible
Background on Paul's defense of his ministry and the letter's setting.
2 Corinthians Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of Paul's theology of weakness, glory, and new covenant ministry.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the veil Paul speaks of?
Where Moses veiled his fading glory, the new covenant is open-faced: in Christ the veil is lifted, and those who behold the Lord's glory are changed into his likeness by the Spirit.
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