Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

"Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, and [are] not as Moses, [who] put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly on the end of that which was passing away: but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed [to them] that it is done away in Christ. But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is liberty. 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 3:12-18 (ASV)

It is the duty of ministers of the gospel to use great plainness, or clearness, of speech. Old Testament believers had only cloudy and fleeting glimpses of that glorious Savior, and unbelievers looked no further than the outward institution. But the great precepts of the gospel—believe, love, obey—are truths stated as clearly as possible.

And the whole doctrine of Christ crucified is made as plain as human language can make it. Those who lived under the law had a veil upon their hearts. This veil is taken away by the doctrines of the Bible about Christ. When any person is converted to God, the veil of ignorance is then taken away. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is blessed, for the heart is set at liberty to run the ways of God's commandments.

They have light, and with unveiled face they behold the glory of the Lord. Christians should prize and make good use of these privileges.

We should not rest content without experiencing the transforming power of the gospel, through the working of the Spirit. This power leads us to seek to be like the character and direction of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and to seek union with Him.

We behold Christ as in the mirror of His word. And just as the reflection from a mirror causes a face to shine, so the faces of Christians also shine.