2 Corinthians 3:12-18

 “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we behave with great boldness, and not like Moses who used to put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from staring at the result of the glory that was made ineffective. But their minds were closed. For to this very day, the same veil remains when they hear the old covenant read. It has not been removed because only in Christ is it taken away. But until this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds, but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

— ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭18‬‬

Important to remember context of 2 Corinthians, especially this section, where Paul is defending status/mission as apostle. Could go into whole reason why he need to defend this vs attitude/approach in 1 Corinthians. Something has changed.

This passage is commentary on Exodus 34:33-35 where Moses put veil on his face after seeing back of God’s glory. Two key terms: confidence and veil. Paul adds three elements: Israel’s inability to look at Moses’ face, Moses’ diminishing brightness, and why Moses wanted to veil face. Again, Paul is defending his boldness/no need for veil, which all believers can have bc of Spirit. 

Why cover face? 

1. Prevent Israel from seeing fading splendor

2. Conceal temporary nature of OT covenant

3. Demonstrate their sin made them unable to see glory

4. Prevent God’s glory from judging them (from NET). “End” would not be a temporal idea but a goal or movement towards something

5. Prevent Israel from gazing until splendor is gone. This means  covenant would not last

For Paul, ancient Israel is a type for Israel in his day. Hearts are still veiled and unable to comprehend God’s will. In Christ, the veil (from Moses’ face or the one that’s blinding modern Israel) would be taken away).

Lord is Spirit??

Most see this as Jesus = Spirit but maintaining a distinction in function. Others see it as saying Jesus is the source of spiritual life in the new era.

Perhaps a better option is to the article before Lord as going back to YHWH in v. 16. YHWH in the OT, Exod 34:34, is in the present era, the Spirit (vv. 3, 6, 8.) When a person turns to the Spirit, the veil is removed. Just as Moses removed his veil when in the presence of YHWH, the veil which causes unbelief is removed from a heart when turned toward the Spirit. He brings freedom. Freedom from the law, to behold God, to conform to Christ, etc.

This is not a verse to be used out of this context.