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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•  (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 made us competent [as] servants of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit, for the letter killeth but the spirit quickeneth.
 9For if the ministry of condemnation [have] glory, much more doth the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. (2 Cor. 3:6,9)
;
Rom. 7:10• 10and the commandment that [was] unto life, this was found to me unto death. (Rom. 7:10)
written.
2 Cor. 3:3• 3being manifested that ye are Christ's epistle ministered by us, having been inscribed, not with ink, but [the] Spirit of [the] living God, not on tables of stone, but on fleshy tables of [the] heart. (2 Cor. 3:3)
;
Ex. 24:12•  (Ex. 24:12)
;
Ex. 31:18•  (Ex. 31:18)
;
Ex. 32:15‑16,19•  (Ex. 32:15‑16,19)
;
Ex. 34:1,28•  (Ex. 34:1,28)
;
Deut. 4:13•  (Deut. 4:13)
;
Deut. 5:22•  (Deut. 5:22)
;
Deut. 9:9‑11,15•  (Deut. 9:9‑11,15)
;
Deut. 10:1‑4•  (Deut. 10:1‑4)
;
Heb. 9:4• 4having a golden censer and the ark of the covenant covered round everywhere with gold, in which [were] a golden pot having the manna, and the rod of Aaron that sprouted, and the tables of the covenant, (Heb. 9:4)
was.
Deut. 4:8•  (Deut. 4:8)
;
Neh. 9:13•  (Neh. 9:13)
;
Psa. 19:7‑8•  (Psa. 19:7‑8)
;
Psa. 119:97,127‑128,174•  (Psa. 119:97,127‑128,174)
;
Rom. 7:12‑14,22• 12So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.
 13Did then the good become death to me? Let it not be; but sin, that it might appear sin, working out death to me by the good, that sin might become excessively sinful by the commandment.
 14For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.
 22For I delight in the law of God according to the inner man, (Rom. 7:12‑14,22)
;
Gen. 3:21•  (Gen. 3:21)
that.
Ex. 34:29‑35•  (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 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 that sat in the council, gazing fixedly on him, saw his face as it were an angel's face. (Acts 6:15)
which.
2 Cor. 3:10‑11,14• 10For even that which hath been glorified hath not been glorified in this respect on account of the surpassing glory.
 11For if that to be done away [was] with glory, much more what abideth [is] in glory.
 14But their thoughts were darkened; for until this very day the same veil at the reading of the old covenant abideth unlifted, which in Christ is done away. (2 Cor. 3:10‑11,14)
;
Rom. 10:4• 4For Christ [is the] end of law for righteousness to everyone that believeth. (Rom. 10:4)
;
1 Cor. 13:10• 10but when that which is perfect is 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.