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2 Corinthians 3

2 Co. 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
Éx. 31:1• 1Y habló Jehová á Moisés, diciendo: (Éx. 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 Co. 3:6,9• 6El cual asimismo nos hizo ministros suficientes de un nuevo pacto: no de la letra, mas del espíritu; porque la letra mata, mas el espíritu vivifica.
 9Porque si el ministerio de condenación fué con gloria, mucho más abundará en gloria el ministerio de justicia. (2 Co. 3:6,9)
;
Ro. 7:10• 10Y hallé que el mandamiento, á intimado para vida, para mí era mortal: (Ro. 7:10)
written.
2 Co. 3:3• 3Siendo manifiesto que sois letra de Cristo administrada de nosotros, escrita no con tinta, mas con el Espíritu del Dios vivo; no en tablas de piedra, sino en tablas de carne del corazón. (2 Co. 3:3)
;
Éx. 24:12• 12Entonces Jehová dijo á Moisés: Sube á mí al monte, y espera allá, y te daré tablas de piedra, y la ley, y mandamientos que he escrito para enseñarlos. (Éx. 24:12)
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Éx. 31:18• 18Y dió á Moisés, como acabó de hablar con él en el monte de Sinaí, dos tablas del testimonio, tablas de piedra escritas con el dedo de Dios. (Éx. 31:18)
;
Éx. 32:15‑16,19• 15Y volvióse Moisés, y descendió del monte trayendo en su mano las dos tablas del testimonio, las tablas escritas por ambos lados; de una parte y de otra estaban escritas.
 16Y las tablas eran obra de Dios, y la escritura era escritura de Dios grabada sobre las tablas.
 19Y aconteció, que como llegó él al campo, y vió el becerro y las danzas, enardeciósele la ira á Moisés, y arrojó las tablas de sus manos, y quebrólas al pie del monte. (Éx. 32:15‑16,19)
;
Éx. 34:1,28• 1Y Jehová dijo á Moisés: Alísate dos tablas de piedra como las primeras, y escribiré sobre esas tablas las palabras que estaban en las tablas primeras que quebraste.
 28Y él estuvo allí con Jehová cuarenta días y cuarenta noches: no comió pan, ni bebió agua; y escribió en tablas las palabras de la alianza, las diez palabras. (Éx. 34:1,28)
;
Dt. 4:13• 13Y él os anunció su pacto, el cual os mandó poner por obra, las diez palabras; y escribiólas en dos tablas de piedra. (Dt. 4:13)
;
Dt. 5:22• 22Estas palabras habló Jehová á toda vuestra congregación en el monte, de en medio del fuego, de la nube y de la oscuridad, á gran voz: y no añadió más. Y escribiólas en dos tablas de piedra, las cuales me dió á mí. (Dt. 5:22)
;
Dt. 9:9‑11,15• 9Cuando yo subí al monte para recibir las tablas de piedra, las tablas del pacto que Jehová hizo con vosotros, estuve entonces en el monte cuarenta días y cuarenta noches, sin comer pan ni beber agua:
 10Y dióme Jehová las dos tablas de piedra escritas con el dedo de Dios; y en ellas estaba escrito conforme á todas las palabras que os habló Jehová en el monte de en medio del fuego, el día de la asamblea.
 11Y fué al cabo de los cuarenta días y cuarenta noches, que Jehová me dió dos las tablas de piedra, las tablas del pacto.
 15Y volví y descendí del monte, el cual ardía en fuego, con las tablas del pacto en mis dos manos. (Dt. 9:9‑11,15)
;
Dt. 10:1‑4• 1En aquel tiempo Jehová me dijo: Lábrate dos tablas de piedra como las primeras, y sube á mí al monte, y hazte un arca de madera:
 2Y escribiré en aquellas tablas palabras que estaban en las tablas primeras que quebraste; y las pondrás en el arca.
 3E hice un arca de madera de Sittim, y labré dos tablas de piedra como las primeras, y subí al monte con las dos tablas en mi mano.
 4Y escribió en las tablas conforme á la primera escritura, las diez palabras que Jehová os había hablado en el monte de en medio del fuego, el día de la asamblea; y diómelas Jehová. (Dt. 10:1‑4)
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He. 9:4• 4El cual tenía un incensario de oro, y el arca del pacto cubierta de todas partes alrededor de oro; en la que estaba una urna de oro que contenía el maná, y la vara de Aarón que reverdeció, y las tablas del pacto; (He. 9:4)
was.
Dt. 4:8• 8Y ¿qué gente grande hay que tenga estatutos y derechos justos, como es toda esta ley que yo pongo hoy delante de vosotros? (Dt. 4:8)
;
Neh. 9:13• 13Y sobre el monte de Sinaí descendiste, y hablaste con ellos desde el cielo, y dísteles juicios rectos, leyes verdaderas, y estatutos y mandamientos buenos: (Neh. 9:13)
;
Sal. 19:7‑8• 7La ley de Jehová es perfecta, que vuelve el alma: El testimonio de Jehová, fiel, que hace sabio al pequeño.
 8Los mandamientos de Jehová son rectos, que alegran el corazón: El precepto de Jehová, puro, que alumbra los ojos. (Sal. 19:7‑8)
;
Sal. 119:97,127‑128,174• 97MEM. Cuánto amo yo tu ley! Todo el día es ella mi meditación.
 127Por eso he amado tus mandamientos Más que el oro, y más que oro muy puro.
 128Por eso todos los mandamientos de todas las cosas estimé rectos: Aborrecí todo camino de mentira.
 174Deseado he tu salud, oh Jehová; Y tu ley es mi delicia. (Sal. 119:97,127‑128,174)
;
Ro. 7:12‑14,22• 12De manera que la ley á la verdad es santa, y el mandamiento santo, y justo, y bueno.
 13¿Luego lo que es bueno, á mí me es hecho muerte? No; sino que el pecado, para mostrarse pecado, por lo bueno me obró la muerte, haciéndose pecado sobremanera pecante por el mandamiento.
 14Porque sabemos que la ley es espiritual; mas yo soy carnal, vendido á sujeción del pecado.
 22Porque según el hombre interior, me deleito en la ley de Dios: (Ro. 7:12‑14,22)
;
Gn. 3:21• 21Y Jehová Dios hizo al hombre y á su mujer túnicas de pieles, y vistiólos. (Gn. 3:21)
that.
Éx. 34:29‑35• 29Y aconteció, que descendiendo Moisés del monte Sinaí con las dos tablas del testimonio en su mano, mientras descendía del monte, no sabía él que la tez de su rostro resplandecía, después que hubo con El hablado.
 30Y miró Aarón y todos los hijos de Israel á Moisés, y he aquí la tez de su rostro era resplandeciente; y tuvieron miedo de llegarse á él.
 31Y llamólos Moisés; y Aarón y todos los príncipes de la congregación volvieron á él, y Moisés les habló.
 32Y después se llegaron todos los hijos de Israel, á los cuales mandó todas las cosas que Jehová le había dicho en el monte de Sinaí.
 33Y cuando hubo acabado Moisés de hablar con ellos, puso un velo sobre su rostro.
 34Y cuando venía Moisés delante de Jehová para hablar con él, quitábase el velo hasta que salía; y saliendo, hablaba con los hijos de Israel lo que le era mandado;
 35Y veían los hijos de Israel el rostro de Moisés, que la tez de su rostro era resplandeciente; y volvía Moisés á poner el velo sobre su rostro, hasta que entraba á hablar con El. (Éx. 34:29‑35)
;
Lc. 9:29‑31• 29Y entre tanto que oraba, la apariencia de su rostro se hizo otra, y su vestido blanco y resplandeciente.
 30Y he aquí dos varones que hablaban con él, los cuales eran Moisés y Elías;
 31Que aparecieron en majestad, y hablaban de su salida, la cual había de cumplir en Jerusalem. (Lc. 9:29‑31)
;
Hch. 6:15• 15Entonces todos los que estaban sentados en el concilio, puestos los ojos en él, vieron su rostro como el rostro de un ángel. (Hch. 6:15)
which.
2 Co. 3:10‑11,14• 10Porque aun lo que fué glorioso, no es glorioso en esta parte, en comparación de la excelente gloria.
 11Porque si lo que perece tuvo gloria, mucho más será en gloria lo que permanece.
 14Empero los sentidos de ellos se embotaron; porque hasta el día de hoy les queda el mismo velo no descubierto en la lección del antiguo testamento, el cual por Cristo es quitado. (2 Co. 3:10‑11,14)
;
Ro. 10:4• 4Porque el fin de la ley es Cristo, para justicia á todo aquel que cree. (Ro. 10:4)
;
1 Co. 13:10• 10Mas cuando venga lo que es perfecto, entonces lo que es en parte será quitado. (1 Co. 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.