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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

Moses Presenting the Tablets of the Law, Philippe de Champaigne
Moses Presenting the Tablets of the Law, Philippe de Champaigne, c. 1648Milwaukee Art Museum
Champaigne's Moses holds the tablets out towards the viewer, painted with the plainness and the sharp local colour of his Jansenist years.To this very day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds: Paul argues about this scene and what is still covered up in it.Philippe de ChampaigneA Brussels-born painter who became the portraitist of Richelieu and of Port-Royal, and whose style grew plainer as his Jansenism deepened.Milwaukee Art MuseumA Wisconsin museum with a Calatrava pavilion whose louvred wings open and close twice a day.Milwaukee Art Museum
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelMark 9:2-9Mk 9:2-9
Epistle2 Cor. 3:12-13 (14-18) 4:1-62 Cor 3:12-13 (14-18) 4:1-6
Old Testament2 Kings 2:1-122 Kgs 2:1-12Alt. OTExod. 34:29-35Ex 34:29-35
PsalterPs. 50:1-6Ps 50:1-6

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 Commentary2 Cor 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 Commentary2 Cor 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse evangelical treatment of the surpassing glory of the new covenant.

2 Corinthians 3 Commentary2 Cor 3 Commentary Precept Austin

Study page collecting Greek notes and cross references on the veil and glory.

2 Corinthians 3:12 Commentaries2 Cor 3:12 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered verse by verse on beholding the Lord's glory.

Background & Word Study

2 Corinthians 3:12 Interlinear2 Cor 3:12 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text with parsing for the veil, glory, and transformation vocabulary.

Enter the Bible: 2 CorinthiansEnter the Bible: 2 Cor Enter the Bible

Background on Paul's defense of his ministry and the letter's setting.

2 Corinthians Overview2 Cor Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of Paul's theology of weakness, glory, and new covenant ministry.

The Church Fathers

Catena on 2 Corinthians 3Catena on 2 Cor 3 Catena

Patristic comment chained verse by verse across the chapter.

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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