2 Corinthians 3:13

2 Corinthians 3:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
• English Standard Version (ESV)not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.
• New King James Version (NKJV)unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away.
• New Living Translation (NLT)We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.

Context of 2 Corinthians 3:13

11And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! 12Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:13 word by word

καὶ οὐ καθάπερ Μωϋσῆς ἐτίθει κάλυμμα ἐπὶ τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἀτενίσαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὸ τέλος τοῦ καταργουμένου·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• notοὐou · noG3756
• asκαθάπερkathaper · just asG2509
• MosesΜωϋσῆς, ΜωσῆςMōseus Mōsēs Mōusēs · MosesG3475
• putτίθημιtithēmi · to placeG5087
• a vailκάλυμμαkaluma · veilG2571
• overἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• hisἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• faceπρόσωπονprosōpon · faceG4383
• thatπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• the childrenυἱόςuihos · sonG5207
• of IsraelἸσραήλIsraēl · IsraelG2474
• couldἀτενίζωatenizō · to gazeG816
• notμήmē · notG3361
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the endτέλοςtelos · goal/taxG5056
• is abolishedκαταργέωkatargeō · to abateG2673

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 3:13

• Exodus 34:33When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face.
• 2 Corinthians 3:18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
• Romans 10:4Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
• Galatians 3:23Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
• Ephesians 2:14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
• Colossians 2:17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
• Hebrews 10:1The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 3:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13And not as Moses - The splendor of Moses' countenance was so great that the Israelites could not bear to look upon his face, and therefore he was obliged to veil his face: this, it appears, he did typically, to represent the types and shadows by which the whole dispensation of which he was the minister was covered. So that the Israelites could not steadfastly look - could not then have the full view or discernment of that in which the Mosaic dispensation…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13And not as Moses - Our conduct is not like that of Moses. We make no attempt to conceal anything in regard to the nature, design, and duration of the gospel. We leave nothing designedly in mystery. Which put a vail over his face - That is, when he came down from Mount Sinai, and when his face shone. Exodus 34:33, “and until Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.” He put off this veil whenever he went to speak with God, but put on…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-18Verses 12-18 It is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness, or clearness, of speech. The Old Testament believers had only cloudy and passing glimpses of that glorious Saviour, and unbelievers looked no further than to the outward institution. But the great precepts of the gospel, believe, love, obey, are truths stated as clearly as possible. And the whole doctrine of Christ crucified, is made as plain as human language can make it…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-15The old covenant, symbolized by the veil worn by Moses, caused fear and did not clear spiritual blindness.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. We use no disguise, "as Moses put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel might not look steadfastly upon the end of that which was to be done away" [Ellicott and others]. The view of Ex 34:30-35, according to the Septuagint is adopted by Paul, that Moses in going in to speak to God removed the veil till he came out and had spoken to the people; and then when he had done speaking, he put on the veil that they might not look on the end, or…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 3:13

• Countenance
• Law
• Moses
• Mysteries
• Preaching
• Quotations and Allusions
• Veil

In the dictionaries

• Israel
• Moses
• Israel, Israelites
• Jacob, Israel
• Children of Israel
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Plainness
• Sufficiency
• Untaken
• Veil, vail

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings