For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
Parallel translations
- WEB For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.
- BSB For if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which endures!
- 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 8:13In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
- Rom 5:20–21Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
- Heb 7:21–25(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
- 2 Cor 4:1Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
- 2 Cor 3:6–7Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
- Heb 12:25–29See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh 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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