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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 the Lord spake unto 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 also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. (2 Cor. 3:6,9)
;
Rom. 7:10• 10And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. (Rom. 7:10)
written.
2 Cor. 3:3• 3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Cor. 3:3)
;
Ex. 24:12• 12And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. (Ex. 24:12)
;
Ex. 31:18• 18And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, 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 mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.
 16And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
 19And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. (Ex. 32:15‑16,19)
;
Ex. 34:1,28• 1And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.
 28And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. (Ex. 34:1,28)
;
Deut. 4:13• 13And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone. (Deut. 4:13)
;
Deut. 5:22• 22These words the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me. (Deut. 5:22)
;
Deut. 9:9‑11,15• 9When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the Lord made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water:
 10And the Lord delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the Lord spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.
 11And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, that the Lord gave me the two tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant.
 15So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount 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 the Lord said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood.
 2And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt put them in the ark.
 3And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand.
 4And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the Lord spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the Lord gave them unto me. (Deut. 10:1‑4)
;
Heb. 9:4• 4Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; (Heb. 9:4)
was.
Deut. 4:8• 8And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? (Deut. 4:8)
;
Neh. 9:13• 13Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: (Neh. 9:13)
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Psa. 19:7‑8• 7The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
 8The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. (Psa. 19:7‑8)
;
Psa. 119:97,127‑128,174• 97MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
 127Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
 128Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
 174I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight. (Psa. 119:97,127‑128,174)
;
Rom. 7:12‑14,22• 12Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
 13Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
 14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: (Rom. 7:12‑14,22)
;
Gen. 3:21• 21Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (Gen. 3:21)
that.
Ex. 34:29‑35• 29And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
 30And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
 31And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.
 32And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him in mount Sinai.
 33And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
 34But when Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
 35And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon 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 was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
 30And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
 31Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:29‑31)
;
Acts 6:15• 15And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. (Acts 6:15)
which.
2 Cor. 3:10‑11,14• 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
 11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
 14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. (2 Cor. 3:10‑11,14)
;
Rom. 10:4• 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Rom. 10:4)
;
1 Cor. 13:10• 10But when that which is perfect is come, then 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 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.