2 Corinthians 3:13
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)
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It's easy to focus on Moses hiding his face, but the real point is why: the Israelites couldn't handle seeing the end result of God's glory fading. This isn't just about a physical veil, but about how the old covenant's temporary radiance couldn't ultimately satisfy or reveal the full, enduring truth found in Christ.
Paul is explaining why the old covenant, symbolized by Moses' veiled face, ultimately fades away and is being replaced by the new covenant in Christ. He contrasts the glory of Moses' temporary radiance with the even greater, enduring glory of the new covenant's message of righteousness, which he, Apollos, and other ministers proclaim openly. This verse highlights the temporary nature of the Law and the visible, but ultimately fading, signs associated with it, preparing readers for Paul's argument about the unveiled face of believers in the new covenant.
Why did Moses cover his face? It wasn't to hide God's glory, but something else entirely. Discover the surprising reason behind his veil.
The Veil's Purpose
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai after encountering God, his face shone with a glory so intense that the Israelites couldn't bear to look at him (Exodus 34:29-35). This glory, however, was temporary and fading.
Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 3:13 that Moses put on a veil so the Israelites wouldn't fixate on this outcome – the fading radiance. It wasn't about hiding God's power, but about preventing the people from being distracted by a temporary sign, rather than focusing on the permanent message God was giving them through Moses.
This highlights a crucial distinction: the glory of the old covenant, symbolized by Moses' shining face, was a glory that was passing away. It pointed to something greater but was not the ultimate end itself.
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If Moses had to veil his face, what makes our faces different? Explore the radical transformation that comes with encountering Christ.
Boldness in God's Presence
Paul's point in contrasting the Israelites' inability to gaze at Moses' fading glory with the believers' situation is profound. He writes in the preceding verses (2 Corinthians 3:12) that 'we have this hope and are of great boldness.'
Unlike the temporary glory of the Mosaic covenant, the glory of the new covenant in Christ is not meant to be hidden or veiled. Through Christ, believers have direct access to God, and the 'veil' that once separated was torn away (Matthew 27:51).
The 'outcome' we now gaze upon is not a fading radiance, but the eternal glory of God revealed in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). This is a glory that transforms us and is meant to be seen, reflecting God's light into the world.
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 a fading glory and the inability of the old covenant to fully reveal God's presence to the people, contrasting sharply with the enduring, open glory of the new covenant through Christ.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God miraculously delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses, culminating in the parting of the Red Sea.
c. 1446 BC
Receiving the Ten Commandments
Moses ascended Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments directly from God, a pivotal moment in Israel's covenant relationship.
c. 1446 BC
Moses' Face Shines
After encountering God on Mount Sinai, Moses' face radiated with divine glory, reflecting God's presence.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Moses Veils His Face
Because the Israelites were afraid of the radiant glory emanating from Moses' face, he began to veil it when not directly speaking with God.
c. 1406 BC
Moses Dies
Moses passed away after leading the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness, never entering the Promised Land himself.
This passage describes Moses' face glowing after meeting God, necessitating the veil to shield the Israelites from its overpowering radiance and the visible sign of God's presence that was fading.
Romans 11:7-10Paul uses similar imagery of a veil and spiritual blindness to describe how many Israelites failed to grasp spiritual truths about Jesus, paralleling the idea of something obscuring clear vision.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4This passage directly expands on the idea, stating that the gospel itself is veiled to those who are perishing, and that Satan, the god of this age, blinds their minds to the glorious light of Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:12Paul talks about seeing things dimly as in a mirror now, but anticipating a time when we will see face to face, which echoes the theme of gradual revelation and eventual full understanding that the veil obscures.
It's easy to focus on Moses hiding his face, but the real point is why: the Israelites couldn't handle seeing the end result of God's glory fading. This isn't just about a physical veil, but about how the old covenant's temporary radiance couldn't ultimately satisfy or reveal the full, enduring truth found in Christ.
Paul is explaining why the old covenant, symbolized by Moses' veiled face, ultimately fades away and is being replaced by the new covenant in Christ. He contrasts the glory of Moses' temporary radiance with the even greater, enduring glory of the new covenant's message of righteousness, which he, Apollos, and other ministers proclaim openly. This verse highlights the temporary nature of the Law and the visible, but ultimately fading, signs associated with it, preparing readers for Paul's argument about the unveiled face of believers in the new covenant.
Paul is explaining why the old covenant, symbolized by Moses' veiled face, ultimately fades away and is being replaced by the new covenant in Christ. He contrasts the glory of Moses' temporary radiance with the even greater, enduring glory of the new covenant's message of righteousness, which he, Apollos, and other ministers proclaim openly. This verse highlights the temporary nature of the Law and the visible, but ultimately fading, signs associated with it, preparing readers for Paul's argument about the unveiled face of believers in the new covenant.
"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." — It's easy to focus on Moses hiding his face, but the real point is why: the Israelites couldn't handle seeing the end result of God's glory fading. This isn't just about a physical veil, but abou…
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