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The theme of 2 Corinthians 3 and 4 is the exceeding glory of the new
covenant. In comparison with this covenant, the glory of the old is nullified.
The Chart suggests -- by the two shaded forms -- the tables of stone associated
with the old covenant, and the fleshy tables of the heart that belong to the
new covenant. Both covenants had their respective `glory', but `even that
which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory
that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that
which remaineth is glorious' (2 Cor. 3:10,11).
After considering the balancing members, it becomes very
clear that `from
glory to glory' (2 Cor. 3:18) can mean nothing else than `from
the typical
glory of the old covenant, to the antitypical glory of the new
covenant'. This
we have suggested by the arrow at the base of the two covenant
forms.
Much of the teaching of this passage is connected with the use of the
word `veil'. Moses veiled his face so that Israel should not see the end of
the glory that was transient. Israel wear a veil, not only over their heads
when reading the law (as shown in the illustration) but over their hearts. The
teaching of the passage is `veiled' to the ordinary reader by the translation
`open face' in 2 Corinthians 3:18, where it should read `unveiled face', as a
direct contrast with the veiled face of Israel. Further, the word `hid' in 2
Corinthians 4:3 is the word `veiled', and carries the teaching on to its
conclusion.
The new translation of 2 Corinthians 4:3 -6 given at the bottom of the
Chart reveals the awful truth that Satan fabricates a veil for the spiritual
eye out of undispensational truth. Four times in 2 Corinthians 3 it is
stressed that the old covenant was `done away' (or `abolished'), and out of
this, as the epistle to the Galatians reveals, the Evil One made a veil to hide
the fulness of grace that is found in the person and work of Christ. Two faces
are seen in contrast, the face of Moses, and the face of Jesus Christ.
We append the structure of 2 Corinthians 2:17 to 4:6 as a supplement to
the Chart.
2 Corinthians 2:17 to 4:6
A
2:17. a
Not corrupt
the Word of God.
b
Speak
in the sight of God.
B
3:1 -16.
The face of Moses. -- The passing glory.
C
3:17,18.
The unveiled face of the believer. -- From glory
to glory.
A
4:1,2.
a
Not handle deceitfully the Word of God.
b
Commend in the sight of God.
C
4:3,4.
The veiled face of the unbeliever. -- Glory
hidden.
B
4:5,6.
The face of Jesus Christ. -- The glory of God.
The third Greek word translated `hid' and `hide' is krupto and its
derivatives. These derivatives are kruphe (Eph. 5:12); kruptos (Matt. 6:18);
krupte (Luke 11:33); perikrupto (Luke 1:24); apokruphon, apokrupto and
egkrupto. Not every one of these words or every one of their occurrences is of
dispensational importance. The fact that the Mystery (which also was hidden)
occupies such an important place in Ephesians, makes the sinister reference in
Ephesians 5:12 the more marked: