2 Corinthians 3:13
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Paul is revealing something really striking here: Moses veiled his face not to hide the glory from the people, but so they wouldn't see that the glory was fading. It wasn't a permanent, blazing light; it was a temporary radiance pointing to a covenant that was passing away.
not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is contrasting the fading glory of the Old Covenant, symbolized by Moses veiling his face, with the radiant, permanent glory of the New Covenant revealed through Christ. He explains that the Israelites couldn't see the full picture of God's redemptive plan because the law, while holy, was pointing towards something yet to be fully realized. This situation continues until today, where the same veil remains for those who reject Christ, blinding them to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
Moses' face glowed with God's glory after meeting Him, but this radiance faded. Why did he cover it?
A Glory That Fades
Moses had been in God's presence on Mount Sinai, and when he came down, his face was radiant (Exodus 34:29-35). This wasn't just a light; it was a visible manifestation of God's awesome glory. However, this glory was temporary. As the Bible tells us, it was 'being brought to an end.' Moses veiled his face so the Israelites wouldn't see the glory fading. It was a kindness, perhaps, to shield them from witnessing this diminishing sign of God's direct presence.
A Symbol of the Old Covenant
Paul uses this image here to contrast the Old Covenant with the New Covenant in Christ. The glory associated with Moses and the Law, while real, was destined to pass away. It pointed forward to something more permanent and complete.
If Moses hid a fading glory, what does that mean for us who live under Christ's new covenant?
Beyond a Temporary Shine
Paul contrasts the veiled glory of Moses with the unveiled boldness that believers now have in Christ. The New Covenant doesn't rely on a fading, earthly glory, but on the eternal, life-giving Spirit of God. While the Law given through Moses revealed sin and pointed to death, the Spirit reveals Christ and brings life (2 Corinthians 3:6-9).
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Unveiling God's Presence
The veil Moses used is a powerful symbol of the spiritual blindness that can prevent people from fully seeing God's truth and glory, especially when encountering the Old Covenant without Christ. But Paul declares that in Christ, this veil is taken away. We are now free to behold the glory of the Lord with an unveiled face, transformed into His image by His Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). This isn't a fading radiance, but a progressive, eternal transformation.
Understand the original words
kalymma · Greek Noun
A cloth used to cover or conceal. Metaphorically, it represents the obscurity, lack of understanding, or spiritual blindness that prevents someone from seeing the fullness of God's truth.
The veil Moses wore symbolized the fading glory of the old covenant and the inability of the Israelites to fully grasp God's presence and purposes through the Law alone. Paul uses this image to contrast the dazzling but temporary glory associated with Moses with the enduring, life-giving glory of the new covenant in Christ.
c. 1446 BC
Moses Receives the Law
After leading the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses ascended Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments and the Law from God. This event marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, establishing their covenant relationship with God.
c. 1446 BC
Moses' Face Shines
Upon descending Mount Sinai after communing with God, Moses' face radiated with glory. The people were afraid to look at him, so he began to cover his face.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Veil Becomes Customary
Moses continued to wear the veil when he spoke to the people on behalf of God, as they could not bear the radiance of his face. This veil symbolized the temporary nature of the Law and the distance between God and His people.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites entered and began conquering the Promised Land. This fulfilled God's promise to Abraham and marked a new era for the nation.
c. 1350 BC
Period of the Judges
Following the conquest, Israel entered a cycle of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance under various judges. This period highlighted Israel's ongoing struggles with faithfulness.
This passage directly describes Moses veiling his face after his encounter with God, which is the very event that Paul references in 2 Corinthians 3.
Exodus 34:35This verse explains the reason for Moses veiling his face – so the Israelites would see his face and fear the Lord, highlighting the contrast Paul makes with the 'veiled' nature of the old covenant.
Romans 11:25Paul uses similar imagery of a 'veiling' in regard to Israel's understanding of the Messiah, creating a parallel about a hardened heart or mind preventing full reception of truth.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4This passage further elaborates on the theme of a spiritual veil covering the minds of those who do not believe, directly linking the concept of veiling to the inability to see the truth of the gospel.
Paul is revealing something really striking here: Moses veiled his face not to hide the glory from the people, but so they wouldn't see that the glory was fading. It wasn't a permanent, blazing light; it was a temporary radiance pointing to a covenant that was passing away.
Paul is contrasting the fading glory of the Old Covenant, symbolized by Moses veiling his face, with the radiant, permanent glory of the New Covenant revealed through Christ. He explains that the Israelites couldn't see the full picture of God's redemptive plan because the law, while holy, was pointing towards something yet to be fully realized. This situation continues until today, where the same veil remains for those who reject Christ, blinding them to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
Paul is contrasting the fading glory of the Old Covenant, symbolized by Moses veiling his face, with the radiant, permanent glory of the New Covenant revealed through Christ. He explains that the Israelites couldn't see the full picture of God's redemptive plan because the law, while holy, was pointing towards something yet to be fully realized. This situation continues until today, where the same veil remains for those who reject Christ, blinding them to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
"not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end." — Paul is revealing something really striking here: Moses veiled his face not to hide the glory from the people, but so they wouldn't see that the glory was fading. It wasn't a permanent, blazing l…
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Last reviewed October 2026
