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2 Corinthians 3

2 Cor. 3:7 KJV (With Strong’s)

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7
But
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
if
ei (Greek #1487)
if, whether, that, etc.
KJV usage: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537. See also 1437.
Pronounce: i
Origin: a primary particle of conditionality
the ministration
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
diakonia (Greek #1248)
attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate)
KJV usage: (ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing).
Pronounce: dee-ak-on-ee'-ah
Origin: from 1249
of death
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
thanatos (Greek #2288)
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: X deadly, (be...) death.
Pronounce: than'-at-os
Origin: from 2348
, written
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
gramma (Greek #1121)
a writing, i.e. a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning
KJV usage: bill, learning, letter, scripture, writing, written.
Pronounce: gram'-mah
Origin: from 1125
and engraven
entupoo (Greek #1795)
to enstamp, i.e. engrave
KJV usage: engrave.
Pronounce: en-too-po'-o
Origin: from 1722 and a derivative of 5179
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
stones
lithos (Greek #3037)
a stone (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: (mill-, stumbling-)stone.
Pronounce: lee'-thos
Origin: apparently a primary word
, was
ginomai (Greek #1096)
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
KJV usage: arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
Pronounce: ghin'-om-ahee
Origin: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb
glorious
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
doxa (Greek #1391)
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
KJV usage: dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship.
Pronounce: dox'-ah
Origin: from the base of 1380
, so that
hoste (Greek #5620)
so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
KJV usage: (insomuch) as, so that (then), (insomuch) that, therefore, to, wherefore.
Pronounce: hoce'-teh
Origin: from 5613 and 5037
the children
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
huios (Greek #5207)
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
KJV usage: child, foal, son.
Pronounce: hwee-os'
Origin: apparently a primary word
of Israel
Israel (Greek #2474)
Israel (i.e. Jisrael), the adopted name of Jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: Israel.
Pronounce: is-rah-ale'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (03478)
could
dunamai (Greek #1410)
to be able or possible
KJV usage: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
Pronounce: doo'-nam-ahee
Origin: of uncertain affinity
not
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
stedfastly behold
atenizo (Greek #816)
to gaze intently
KJV usage: behold earnestly (stedfastly), fasten (eyes), look (earnestly, stedfastly, up stedfastly), set eyes.
Pronounce: at-en-id'-zo
Origin: from a compound of 1 (as a particle of union) and τείνω (to stretch)
the face
eis (Greek #1519)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV usage: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Pronounce: ice
Origin: a primary preposition
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
prosopon (Greek #4383)
the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
KJV usage: (outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.
Pronounce: pros'-o-pon
Origin: from 4314 and ὤψ (the visage, from 3700)
of Moses
Moseus (Greek #3475)
(04872); Moseus, Moses, or Mouses (i.e. Mosheh), the Hebrew lawgiver
KJV usage: Moses.
Pronounce: moce-yoos'
Origin: or Μωσῆς (mo-sace'), or Μωϋσῆς (mo-oo-sace') of Hebrew origin
for
dia (Greek #1223)
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
KJV usage: after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
Pronounce: dee-ah'
Origin: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act
the glory
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
doxa (Greek #1391)
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
KJV usage: dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship.
Pronounce: dox'-ah
Origin: from the base of 1380
l of his
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
countenance
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
prosopon (Greek #4383)
the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
KJV usage: (outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.
Pronounce: pros'-o-pon
Origin: from 4314 and ὤψ (the visage, from 3700)
; which
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
glory was to be done away
katargeo (Greek #2673)
to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively
KJV usage: abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void.
Pronounce: kat-arg-eh'-o
Origin: from 2596 and 691
:
l
Ex. 31:1• 1And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, (Ex. 31:1)

More on:

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Death,
Glory,
Israel,
Moses,
Stones,
Writing

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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the ministration.
2 Cor. 3:6,9• 6who has also made us competent, as ministers of the new covenant; not of letter, but of spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit quickens.
 9For if the ministry of condemnation be glory, much rather the ministry of righteousness abounds in glory. (2 Cor. 3:6,9)
;
Rom. 7:10• 10And the commandment, which was for life, was found, as to me, itself to be unto death: (Rom. 7:10)
written.
2 Cor. 3:3• 3being manifested to be Christ's epistle ministered by us, written, not with ink, but the Spirit of the living God; not on stone tables, but on fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Cor. 3:3)
;
Ex. 24:12• 12And Jehovah said to Moses, Come up to me into the mountain, and be there; and I will give thee the tables of stone, and the law, and the commandment that I have written, for their instruction. (Ex. 24:12)
;
Ex. 31:18• 18And he gave to Moses, when he had ended speaking with him on mount Sinai, the two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. (Ex. 31:18)
;
Ex. 32:15‑16,19• 15And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand--tables written on both their sides: on this side and on that were they written.
 16And the tables were God's work, and the writing was God's writing, engraven on the tables.
 19And it came to pass, when he came near the camp, and saw the calf and the dancing, that Moses' anger burned, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and shattered them beneath the mountain. (Ex. 32:15‑16,19)
;
Ex. 34:1,28• 1And Jehovah said to Moses, Hew for thyself two tables of stone like the first; and I will write upon the tables the words that were upon the first tables, which thou hast broken.
 28--And he was there with Jehovah forty days and forty nights; he ate no bread, and drank no water.--And he wrote on the tables the words of the covenant, the ten words. (Ex. 34:1,28)
;
Deut. 4:13• 13And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to do, the ten words; and he wrote them on two tables of stone. (Deut. 4:13)
;
Deut. 5:22• 22These words Jehovah spoke to all your congregation on the mountain from the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the obscurity, with a great voice, and he added no more; and he wrote them on two tables of stone, and gave them to me. (Deut. 5:22)
;
Deut. 9:9‑11,15• 9when I went up the mountain to receive the tables of stone, the tables of the covenant which Jehovah made with you, and I abode in the mountain forty days and forty nights,--I ate no bread and drank no water,--
 10--and Jehovah delivered to me the two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words which Jehovah spoke with you on the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.
 11And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, that Jehovah gave me the two tables of stone, the tables of the covenant.
 15And I turned and came down from the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire; and the two tables of the covenant were in my two hands. (Deut. 9:9‑11,15)
;
Deut. 10:1‑4• 1At that time Jehovah said unto me, Hew for thyself two tables of stone like the first, and come up unto me into the mountain, and make thee an ark of wood;
 2and I will write on the tables the words that were on the first tables which thou didst break, and thou shalt lay them in the ark.
 3And I made an ark of acacia-wood, and hewed two tables of stone like the first, and went up the mountain with the two tables in my hand.
 4And he wrote on the tables, as the first writing, the ten words which Jehovah spoke unto you on the mountain, from the midst of the fire, on the day of the assembly, and Jehovah gave them unto me. (Deut. 10:1‑4)
;
Heb. 9:4• 4having a golden censer, and the ark of the covenant, covered round in every part with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, and the rod of Aaron that had sprouted, and the tables of the covenant; (Heb. 9:4)
was.
Deut. 4:8• 8And what great nation is there that hath righteous statutes and ordinances, as all this law which I set before you this day? (Deut. 4:8)
;
Neh. 9:13• 13And thou camest down on mount Sinai, and didst speak with them from the heavens, and gavest them right judgments and true laws, good statutes and commandments. (Neh. 9:13)
;
Psa. 19:7‑8• 7The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple;
 8The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes; (Psa. 19:7‑8)
;
Psa. 119:97,127‑128,174• 97MEM. Oh how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
 127Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.
 128Therefore I regard all thy precepts concerning all things to be right: I hate every false path.
 174I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah, and thy law is my delight. (Psa. 119:97,127‑128,174)
;
Rom. 7:12‑14,22• 12So that the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
 13Did then that which is good become death to me? Far be the thought. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death to me by that which is good; in order that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
 14For we know that the law is spiritual: but *I* am fleshly, sold under sin.
 22For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man: (Rom. 7:12‑14,22)
;
Gen. 3:21• 21And Jehovah Elohim made Adam and his wife coats of skin, and clothed them. (Gen. 3:21)
that.
Ex. 34:29‑35• 29And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai--and the two tables of testimony were in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mountain--that Moses knew not that the skin of his face shone through his talking with him.
 30And Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come near him.
 31And Moses called to them; and they turned to him,--Aaron and all the principal men of the assembly; and Moses talked with them.
 32And afterwards, all the children of Israel came near; and he gave them in commandment all that Jehovah had spoken with him on mount Sinai.
 33And Moses ended speaking with them; and he had put on his face a veil.
 34And when Moses went in before Jehovah to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out; and he came out, and spoke to the children of Israel what he was commanded.
 35And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone; and Moses put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him. (Ex. 34:29‑35)
;
Luke 9:29‑31• 29And as he prayed the fashion of his countenance became different and his raiment white and effulgent.
 30And lo, two men talked with him, who were Moses and Elias,
 31who, appearing in glory, spoke of his departure which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. (Luke 9:29‑31)
;
Acts 6:15• 15And all who sat in the council, looking fixedly on him, saw his face as the face of an angel. (Acts 6:15)
which.
2 Cor. 3:10‑11,14• 10For also that which was glorified is not glorified in this respect, on account of the surpassing glory.
 11For if that annulled was introduced with glory, much rather that which abides subsists in glory.
 14But their thoughts have been darkened, for unto this day the same veil remains in reading the old covenant, unremoved, which in Christ is annulled. (2 Cor. 3:10‑11,14)
;
Rom. 10:4• 4For Christ is the end of law for righteousness to every one that believes. (Rom. 10:4)
;
1 Cor. 13:10• 10but when that which is perfect has come, that which is in part shall be done away. (1 Cor. 13:10)
• The law, graven on stones, had been introduced with glory, although it was a thing that was to pass away as a means of relation between God and men. It was a ministry of death, for they were only to live by keeping it….It was a ministry of death and of condemnation because man was a sinner. (“2 Corinthians 3” by J.N. Darby)
• The figure used by the Apostle shows that he is speaking of the second descent of Moses from Mount Sinai, when he had heard the name of Jehovah proclaimed, merciful and gracious. (“2 Corinthians 3” by J.N. Darby)
• The figure used by the Apostle shows that he is speaking of the second descent of Moses from Mount Sinai, when he had heard the name of Jehovah proclaimed, merciful and gracious. (“2 Corinthians 3” by J.N. Darby)
• The law, then, convicts of actual sins, and proves the existence of an evil nature. It thus becomes a ministration of condemnation, and the condemnation is death. The holy law of God applied to a man that is already a sinner must become to him a ministry of condemnation and death. (“2 Corinthians 3” by H. Smith)
• The apostle proceeds next, in a long parenthesis (7-16) to contrast the respective services of the law and of the gospel (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 3:7-11”)
• It is of moment to notice that the apostle reasons here on Ex. 34, not on Ex. 20 as in Heb. 12. It is a question, not of law pure and simple, when God's voice shook the earth, with a sight of terror which caused even Moses to be full of trembling; but of law when given the second time, accompanied by the mercy which not only forgave but accepted mediation. It was a mixture of law with grace, and precisely what people now conceive to be Christianity. But this is what is designated the ministry of death in letter, engraven on stones. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 3:7-11”)
• The practical lesson we are to gain from this parenthesis is that the formation of Christ’s character in believers is not by legal means and efforts. If we think that we can accomplish it by setting out a code of rules and regulations for ourselves to keep, we will not succeed. We will be no more successful than Israel was under the law. (“A True Christian Minister Has a Ministry That Impacts His Hearers: 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:18” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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7
(But if the ministry of death, in letters, graven in stones, begani with glory, so that the children of Israel could not fix their eyes on the face of Mosesk, on account of the glory of his face, a glory which is annulled;

JND Translation Notes

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i
It is not said that the ministry was glorious, but that the system was introduced with glory. It is in contrast with "subsist in glory" (ver. 8).
k
See Ex. 34.29-35.

W. Kelly Translation

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7
(But if the ministry of death in lettera, graven on stones, came with gloryb, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently toward the face of Moses for the glory of his face, that was to be done away,

WK Translation Notes

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a
Some MSS. give the singular, others the plural.
b
"Came with glory" is right, only stating that it was so brought in, and contrasted with the ministration of the Spirit (for it should be thus, not "spirit") being, or subsisting in glory. The remarkably compressed phraseology of these verses means that the law was introduced in or with glory, rather than that it existed in glory. The verb is changed when we come to the Spirit and His ministry, subsisting "in glory" (vs. 8). The apostle points emphatically to what the Spirit is ministering now.