For if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which endures!
Parallel translations
- WEB For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.
- KJV For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
- NKJV For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
- NASB For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.
- NLT So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!
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
If what was fading came with glory, how much more does the permanent new covenant abide in glory. The lasting nature of the gospel makes its glory greater still.
Overview
Paul highlights that the old covenant's glory was temporary, destined to pass away, while the new covenant remains. The permanence of the gospel's glory exceeds the transient splendor of the law. This assures believers that the work God accomplishes in Christ is enduring and unfading, the climax of redemptive history.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Heb 8:13By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
- Rom 5:20–21The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
- Heb 7:21–25but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”
- 2 Cor 4:1Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
- 2 Cor 3:6–7And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
- Heb 12:25–29See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?
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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 3:11 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
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