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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - 2 Corinthians 3:7 - 3:7
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The ministration of death (ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου)
Because it is the ministry of the letter which killeth. The law meant death to the sinner.
Written and engraven in stones (ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις)
Lit., engraven on stones by means of letters. The use of these words to describe a ministration is peculiar. The ministration of death (see above) is that of Moses, and does not apply to his entire career as Israel's lawgiver, but to his particular ministry in receiving on Sinai and transmitting to the people the law of God. The ministration may be said to have been graven on stones, since the whole purport of that economy which he represented was contained in the tables, and he was its minister in being the agent through whom God delivered it to the people.
Was glorious (ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ)
A very inadequate translation. Ἑγενήθη means came to pass or took place, not simply was. A glory passed from God to Moses, so that his face became shining. It is much more graphic and truthful to render ἐν δόξῃ literally, in or with glory, than to convert the two words into a single adjective, glorious. Rev., much better, came with glory.
Steadfastly behold (ἀτενίσαι)
See on Luk 4:20.
Passing away (καταργουμένην)
Lit., being done away or brought to nought. See on Luk 13:7; see on Rom 3:3.