2 Corinthians 3 Devotional

Glory That Does Not Fade

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”2 Corinthians 3:18 (BSB)

Paul needs no letters of recommendation. The Corinthians are his letter, written by the Spirit of the living God, not with ink on tablets of stone but on human hearts (3:2-3). Any competence he has comes from God, who made him a minister of a new covenant (3:5-6).

Then he compares two covenants. The law engraved on stone came with real glory, so bright the Israelites could not keep looking at Moses' face, yet it was a glory that was fading, and it brought condemnation (3:7-9). The new covenant brings righteousness and a glory that lasts (3:9-11). A veil still lies over hearts when the old covenant is read, and only in Christ is it removed. When anyone turns to the Lord, that veil is lifted (3:14-16). Then comes the promise. All who look on the Lord's glory with nothing covering their faces are being changed into his likeness, with ever-increasing glory, by the Spirit (3:18). Change is his work. The believer's part is to keep looking at him.

To think about: Where have you been trying to change yourself by effort alone, and what would it look like to spend time looking to Christ instead?