Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Corinthians 3:18

"But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit." — 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ASV)

In vv.4–6 Paul was speaking primarily of his apostolic ministry. Now, as he draws his conclusion concerning the superiority of the new covenant against the background of his commentary on Ex 34, he refers to Christian experience in general. Under the new covenant, not just one person, but all Christians behold and then reflect the glory of the Lord. Moreover, unlike the Jews, who still read the law with veiled hearts, Christians, with unveiled faces, behold in the mirror of the Gospel the glory of the Lord, who is Christ. Again, the glory is displayed not outwardly on the face but inwardly in the character. Finally, so far from losing its intensity or luster, as did Moses’ glory, the glory experienced under the new covenant progressively increases until the Christian finally acquires a “glorious body” like that of the risen Christ .

Paul concludes by noting that the progressive transformation of the Christian’s character is the work of the Lord who is the Spirit (cf. v.17a). After conversion to the Spirit of God (v.16), there is liberation through the Spirit (v.17b) and transformation by the Spirit (v.18).