2 Corinthians 3:11
in 2 Corinthians 3For if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which endures!
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
For if that which passeth away was with glory, much more that which remaineth is in glory.
KJV
For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
⋯
This verse in 2 Corinthians 3
Commentary
12 notes on this verseHe presents another syllogism. If the law that was ceasing and subject to abolition was given in glory, then how much more shall the law that is unshakeable and eternal – the New Testament – be in glory.
This site's exposition
the ministry of death
on 2 Corinthians 3:7-11
Sinai's glory was real, since the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses. Three times Paul reasons up to the greater glory of the ministry of righteousness, which gives life and standing.
This site's exposition
that which endures
Paul adds a third contrast, drawn from how long each lasts. John Chrysostom states it plainly, that the one ceased and the other abides continually. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown note the change of wording, with glory for what was passing and in glory for what remains.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
Paul does not deny that there was splendor in the law and on the face of Moses, but it did not endure because in his case it was a symbol and not a reality. The difference between the face of Moses and the glory of …
Next, he sets on foot yet another argument to prove the superiority also from a fresh ground. What then is this argument? That based upon duration, saying, "For if that which passeth away was with glory, much more that which remaineth is in glory." For the one ceased, but the other abideth continually.
The Medieval Church1 voice
Then he assigns the cause of this when he says, For if what faded away came with glory, what is permanent must have much more glory. His reasoning is thus: that which was given to pass away is nothing in relation to that which is …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Not only did the glory of Moses's face go away, but the glory of Moses's law is done away also; yea, the law of Moses itself is now abolished. That dispensation was only to continue for a time, and then to vanish away; whereas the gospel shall remain to the end of the world, and is always fresh and flourishing and remains glorious.
), whence he infers what is the duty of gospel ministers, and the advantage of those who live under the gospel above those who lived under the law,
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens
4 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
For if that which is done away,.... Here another difference is pointed out, which subsists between the law and the Gospel, and proves that the one is more excellent and glorious than the other.
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
was glorious--literally, "was with glory"; or "marked by glory." that which remaineth--abideth (Re 14:6). Not "the ministry," but the Spirit, and His accompaniments, life and righteousness. is glorious--literally, "is in glory." The Greek "with" or "by" is appropriately applied to that of which the glory was transient.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — starts-lowercase
For if that which is done away, etc. - Here is another striking difference between the law and the Gospel. The former is termed το καταργουμενον, that which is counterworked and abolished; the latter το μενον, that which continues, which is not for a particular time, place, and people, as the law was; but for All times, all places, and all people. As a great, universal, and permanent Good vastly excels a good that is small, partial, and transitory; so does the Gospel dispensation, that of the law.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
For if that which is done away ... - The splendor that attended the giving of the Law; the bright shining of the face of Moses; and the ritual institutions of his religion. It was to be done away. It was never designed to be permanent. Everything in it had a transient existence, and was so designed. Yet it was attended, Paul admits, with much that was magnificent, and splendid. He had, in the previous verses, stated several important differences between the Law and the gospel. He here states another.
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| εἰ | ei | If | G1487 → | 508 times |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| τὸ | to | that which | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| καταργούμενον | katargoumenon | is fading away | G2673 → | 27 times |
| διὰ | dia | [was] through | G1223 → | 664 times |
| δόξης, | doxes | glory, | G1391 → | 165 times |
| πολλῷ | pollo | much | G4183 → | 367 times |
| μᾶλλον | mallon | more [is] | G3123 → | 81 times |
| τὸ | to | that | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| μένον | menon | remaining | G3306 → | 118 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| δόξῃ.¶ | doxe | glory! | G1391 → | 165 times |
εἰIf
eiG1487 →508 times
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
τὸthat which
toG3588 →19766 times
καταργούμενονis fading away
katargoumenonG2673 →27 times
διὰ[was] through
diaG1223 →664 times
δόξης,glory,
doxesG1391 →165 times
πολλῷmuch
polloG4183 →367 times
μᾶλλονmore [is]
mallonG3123 →81 times
τὸthat
toG3588 →19766 times
μένονremaining
menonG3306 →118 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
δόξῃ.¶glory!
doxeG1391 →165 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Hebrews 8:13By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
- Hebrews 7:18–19
So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless
- Hebrews 7:11–12
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of…
- Hebrews 9:15
Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under…
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Through
2 Corinthians 4:1Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
it leads to
- 2 Thessalonians 3:13
But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing.
- Galatians 6:9
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- Ephesians 3:13
So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
- Revelation 2:3
Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About 2 Corinthians
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homilies on Second Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homily 7 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.