2 Corinthians 3:11 - Exposition

For . An explanation of the "surpassing" glory of the later covenant founded on its eternity. That which is done away; rather, that which is evanescing; "which is being done away," as in 2 Corinthians 3:7 . Was glorious… is glorious. The expression is varied in the Greek. The brief, the evanescent covenant was "through glory," i.e. it was a transitory gleam; the abiding covenant is "in glory;" i.e. it is an eternal splendour. It is, however, a disputed point whether St. Paul intended such rigid meanings to be attached to his varying prepositions ( Romans 3:30 , ἐκ πίστες … διὰ τῆς πίστεως : Romans 5:10 , διὰ τοῦ θανάτου ἐν τῇ ζωῇ : Galatians 2:16 , ἐξ ἔργων … διὰ πίστεως : Philemon 1:5 , πρός τὸν κύριον … εἰς τοὺς ἁγιους ). That which remaineth. The final, eternal, unshakable gospel ( Hebrews 12:27 ). Is glorious; literally, is in glory . Christ is eternally the Light of the world ( John 1:9 ; John 9:5 ); and Moses and Elias derived all their permanence of glory by reflection from this transfiguring light.