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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

In these verses the apostle draws two inferences from what he had said about the Old and New Testament:? I. Concerning the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness or clearness of speech. They ought not, like Moses, to put a veil upon their faces, or obscure and darken those things which they should make plain. The gospel is a more clear dispensation than the law; the things of God are revealed in the New Testament, not in types and shadows, and ministers are much to blame if... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

3:12-18 It is because we possess such a hope that we speak with such freedom. We do not draw a veil over things, as Moses did over his face so that the children of Israel should not gaze at the end of the glory which was doomed to fade away. But their minds were dulled. To this very day the same veil remains, still not drawn aside, when they read the record of the old relationship between God and man, because only in Christ is that veil abolished. Yes, to this day, whenever the books that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:12

Seeing then that we have such hope ,.... Having this confidence, and being fully persuaded that God has made us able and sufficient ministers of the Gospel, has called and qualified us for such service; and since we have such a ministry committed to us, which so much exceeds in glory the ministry of Moses, a ministry not of death and condemnation, but of the Spirit and of righteousness; not which is abolished and done away, but which does and will remain, in spite of all the opposition of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:12

Seeing - we have such hope - Such glorious prospects as those blessings which the Gospel sets before us, producing such confidence, as the fulfillment of so many promises has already done, that God will still continue to work for us and by us; We use great plainness of speech - Πολλῃ παρῥησιᾳ χρωμεθα· We speak not only with all confidence, but with all imaginable plainness; keeping back nothing; disguising nothing; concealing nothing: and here we differ greatly from the Jewish... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:12

Verse 12 12.Having therefore this hope. Here he advances still farther, for he does not treat merely of the nature of the law, or of that enduring quality of which we have spoken, but also of its abuse. True, indeed, this also belonged to its nature, that, being covered with a veil, it was not so manifest to the eye, and that by its brightness it inspired terror, and accordingly Paul says elsewhere, what amounts to the same thing — that the people of Israel had received from it the spirit of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:12

Such hope. A hope based upon the abiding glory of this gospel covenant. Plainness of speech. The frankness and unreserved fearlessness of our language is justified by the glory of our ministry. It was impossible for Moses to speak with the same bold plainness. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

The confidence inspired by this ministry and the veil on the hearts of those who will not recognize it. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

The gospel as a transcendent benefactor. "Seeing then that we have such hope," etc. Amongst the invaluable services which the gospel confers on man, there are four suggested by the text. It gives him moral courage, spiritual vision, true liberty, and Christ-like glory. It gives him— I. MORAL COURAGE . "Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness [boldness] of speech: and not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

Boldness of speech; the two ministries; from glory to glory. Dwelling on the superior excellence of the gospel, it was natural for the apostle to speak of his hopefulness (such hope) and of the effect thereof on his ministry. He had spoken of his trust ( 2 Corinthians 3:4 ), and now he expresses the hope which filled his soul from "the intervening vision of the glory of his work" (Stanley) and its future results. He uses "great plainness of speech"—unreservedness, without disguise,... read more

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