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2 Corinthians 3

2 Cor. 3:18 KJV (With Strong’s)

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18
But
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
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)
we
hemeis (Greek #2249)
we (only used when emphatic)
KJV usage: us, we (ourselves).
Pronounce: hay-mice'
Origin: nominative plural of 1473
all
pas (Greek #3956)
apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole
KJV usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Pronounce: pas
Origin: including all the forms of declension
, with
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)
open
anakalupto (Greek #343)
to unveil
KJV usage: open, (un-)taken away.
Pronounce: an-ak-al-oop'-to
Origin: from 303 (in the sense of reversal) and 2572
face
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)
beholding as in a glass
katoptrizomai (Greek #2734)
to mirror oneself, i.e. to see reflected (figuratively)
KJV usage: behold as in a glass.
Pronounce: kat-op-trid'-zom-ahee
Origin: middle voice from a compound of 2596 and a derivative of 3700 (compare 2072)
a 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
of the Lord
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
, are changed
metamorphoo (Greek #3339)
to transform (literally or figuratively, "metamorphose")
KJV usage: change, transfigure, transform.
Pronounce: met-am-or-fo'-o
Origin: from 3326 and 3445
into the same
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)
image
eikon (Greek #1504)
a likeness, i.e. (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance
KJV usage: image.
Pronounce: i-kone'
Origin: from 1503
b from
apo (Greek #575)
"off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
KJV usage: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
Pronounce: apo'
Origin: a primary particle
glory
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
c to
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
glory
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
, even μas
kathaper (Greek #2509)
exactly as
KJV usage: (even, as well) as.
Pronounce: kath-ap'-er
Origin: from 2505 and 4007
by the Spirit
pneuma (Greek #4151)
a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit
KJV usage: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare 5590.
Pronounce: pnyoo'-mah
Origin: from 4154
of
apo (Greek #575)
"off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
KJV usage: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
Pronounce: apo'
Origin: a primary particle
the Lord
kurios (Greek #2962)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
KJV usage: God, Lord, master, Sir.
Pronounce: koo'-ree-os
Origin: from κῦρος (supremacy)
.
a
1 Cor. 13:12• 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Cor. 13:12)
b
Rom. 8:29• 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom. 8:29)
c
Psa. 84:7• 7They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. (Psa. 84:7)
μ
or, of the Lord the Spirit.

More on:

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Glass; Looking Glass,
Glory,
Image,
Spirit,
Transfiguration

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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with.
2 Cor. 3:13• 13And 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: (2 Cor. 3:13)
as in.
1 Cor. 13:12• 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1 Cor. 13:12)
;
James 1:23• 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: (James 1:23)
the glory.
2 Cor. 4:4,6• 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
 6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 4:4,6)
;
John 1:14• 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
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John 12:41• 41These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. (John 12:41)
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1 Tim. 1:11• 11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. (1 Tim. 1:11)
;
1 Tim. 1•  (1 Tim. 1)
:*Gr:
are.
2 Cor. 5:17• 17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)
;
Rom. 8:29• 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom. 8:29)
;
Rom. 12:2• 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom. 12:2)
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Rom. 13:14• 14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Rom. 13:14)
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1 Cor. 15:49• 49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Cor. 15:49)
;
Gal. 6:15• 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (Gal. 6:15)
;
Eph. 4:22‑24• 22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
 23And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
 24And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Eph. 4:22‑24)
;
Col. 3:10• 10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Col. 3:10)
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Titus 3:5• 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)
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2 Peter 1:5‑9• 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (2 Peter 1:5‑9)
from.
Rom. 8:4,7• 4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Rom. 8:4,7)
by the Spirit of the Lord.
or, of the Lord the Spirit.
2 Cor. 3:17• 17Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Cor. 3:17)
• If the law looks for righteousness in man, man has it not, and so is afraid of the glory; the moment there is the least glory shown out, man shrinks from it. But now the glory of God is shown in the face of Jesus Christ, and what is that from? It is the effect of His having glorified God, and therefore God has glorified Him, and every ray of that glory is the proof that my sins are gone. “From glory to glory” means that I make progress. “Changed” is the same word as “transformed” in the Gospels. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 3” by J.N. Darby)
• Who could stand in the presence of God? But the glory of the face of Jesus, a man on high, is the proof that all the sins of those who behold it are blotted out; for He who is there bore them all before He ascended, and He needed to put them all away in order to enter into that glory. (“2 Corinthians 3” by J.N. Darby)
• Now, in thus beholding the glory with affection, with intelligence, taking delight in it, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the power of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to realize and to enjoy these things; and in this is Christian progress. (“2 Corinthians 3” by J.N. Darby)
• We contemplate that glory by the Spirit, who has been given us in virtue of Christ’s having ascended into it. He did not say, “I will go up; peradventure I shall make atonement.” He made the atonement and went up. Therefore we gaze upon it with joy, we love to behold it (“2 Corinthians 3” by J.N. Darby)
• Those referred to in 2:17 would bring the saints into bondage by occupation with themselves: the Spirit brings into liberty by turning the soul to Christ in the glory. (“2 Corinthians 3” by H. Smith)
• This change is not effected by our own efforts, nor by wearying ourselves in the endeavor to be like the Lord. Nor is it by seeking to imitate some devoted saint: it is by beholding the glory of the Lord. There is no veil on His face, and as we behold Him, not only every veil of darkness will pass from our hearts, but morally we shall become increasingly like Him, changing from glory to glory. (“2 Corinthians 3” by H. Smith)
• It is not a state reached in a moment by an act of faith, but a gradual process, which ought to characterize every Christian all the way through. At the coming of Christ we shall be conformed to His image—that of the Son, the First-born among many brethren. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 3:17-18”)
• For the Spirit, though Lord equally with the Father and the Son, does not work independently of Christ, but by presenting Him to us, from first to last. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 3:17-18”)
• This process is “from glory to glory.” That is, it’s a gradual thing; the change takes place one degree of glory at a time. Also, it is not something that is produced by self-effort, but “by the Spirit.” Hence, the Lord is the Object of our faith and the Spirit is the power for our transformation. (“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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18
But *we* all, looking on the glory of the Lord, with unveiled face, are transformede according to the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord the Spiritf.

JND Translation Notes

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e
As Rom. 12.2. From metamorphoo, translated "transfigured" in Matt. 17.2 and Mark 9.2.
f
See vers. 6,17.

W. Kelly Translation

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18
but we all, beholdinga the glory of the Lord with unveiled face, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from [the] Lord [the] Spiritb.

WK Translation Notes

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a
The word "beholding" (katoptrizomenio) means neither "reflecting" nor "seeing in a mirror," though this last be etymologically the source, but "beholding," without reference to the mirror.
b
One rejects the translation of the closing phrase, "Lord of the Spirit," as being clearly against the truth of Scripture.