For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
Parallel translations
- WEB For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses.
- BSB Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it.
- NKJV For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels.
- NASB For indeed what had glory in this case has no glory, because of the glory that surpasses it.
- NLT In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The old covenant's glory is so eclipsed by the new that it seems to have no glory by comparison. The surpassing splendor of the gospel outshines all that came before.
Overview
Paul presses the contrast to its height: the genuine glory of the old covenant pales beside the overwhelming glory of the new. Like a lamp outshone by the sun, the law's brightness fades in the light of Christ. This underscores the unique and supreme glory of the gospel of the new covenant.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 2 Pet 1:17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
- Hag 2:7–9And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
- Job 25:5Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.
- Rev 22:5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
- Phil 3:7–8But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
- Isa 24:23Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
- Rev 21:23–24And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
- Acts 26:13At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
- Hag 2:3Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 3:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.