2 Corinthians 3:7 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

⁷ But if the ministry [of the law] that brings [spiritual] death, being carved in letters on stones, came with [such] splendor that the Israelites could not look at Moses’ face because of its radiance [See Ex. 34:29-35], (even though such radiance [eventually] faded away),

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

⁷ But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

⁷ Now if the dispensation of death engraved in letters on stone [the ministration of the Law], was inaugurated with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its brilliance, [a glory] that was to fade and pass away, [Exod. 34:29-35.]

American Standard Version (1901)

⁷ But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away:

Common English Bible

⁷ The ministry that brought death was carved in letters on stone tablets. It came with such glory that the Israelites couldn’t look for long at Moses’ face because his face was shining with glory, even though it was a fading glory.

Catholic Public Domain Version

⁷ But if the ministration of death, engraved with letters upon stones, was in glory, (so much so that the sons of Israel were not able to gaze intently upon the face of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance) even though this ministration was ineffective,

2 Corinthians 3:7 Cross References

Acts 6:15

Then, as all the Council members stared at Stephen, his face appeared to them like an angel’s.

Romans 10:4

So, Christ has brought an end to the law [as a means] of being made right with God for every person who believes [in Him].

Romans 4:15

For the law brings [God’s] wrath [i.e., because of man’s failure to obey it perfectly], but where there is no law, there is no [responsibility for] sin.

Romans 5:20

This was so that just as sin ruled [over mankind], causing [physical] death, even so God’s unearned favor would rule [over mankind], providing [them with] righteousness, and leading to never ending life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 7:10

and I died [i.e., came under its power]. And [so] the commandment, which was [intended] to bring [spiritual] life, actually brought [spiritual] death.

Romans 7:22

For in my heart I am delighted with God’s law,

Romans 7:5

For when we were in the flesh [i.e., before conversion], our sinful desires, aroused by [the restrictions of] the Law of Moses, worked in our bodies to produce activity that led to [spiritual] death.

1 Corinthians 13:10

but when that which is complete comes [i.e., the full revelation of God’s will, contained in the New Testament Scriptures], then the partial will be abolished [i.e., the supernatural gifts, which provided only part of the revealed will of God, will cease to be exercised].

2 Corinthians 3:3

You people show [i.e., by your conversions] that you are a letter from Christ, delivered by us [i.e., the result of our ministry], not written with ink but with the Holy Spirit of the living God; not on stone tablets [i.e., as in the case with Moses’ ministry], but on tablets of the human heart. [See Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10].

2 Corinthians 3:6

He has also made us competent as ministers of a New Agreement [i.e., between Himself and mankind]. It is not [an agreement] based [merely] on a written document [i.e., such as the Law of Moses], but on the Holy Spirit, for the written document brings [spiritual] death [See Rom. 8:2], but the Holy Spirit brings [never ending] life.

2 Corinthians 3:8

will not the ministry of the Holy Spirit [i.e., the New Agreement] have [greater] splendor?

Galatians 3:10

For all who seek to be right with God by trying to meet all the requirements of the Law of Moses are under a curse [from God], because it is written [Deut. 27:26], “Every person is cursed [i.e., cut off from God] who does not continue to obey all of the requirements written in the Law of Moses.”

Galatians 3:21

Is the Law of Moses contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could provide [never ending] life, then a person could be considered right with God by [obeying the requirements of such] a law.

Hebrews 12:18

[Unlike the Israelites at Mount Sinai] you [Christians] have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that burned with fire [See Ex. 19:12, 16-19; 20:18-21; Deut. 4:11]; to [a place of] darkness, gloom and wind;

Hebrews 3:3

For Jesus has been considered deserving of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house deserves greater honor than the house itself.

Hebrews 9:4

It had a golden altar for [burning] incense [in it], and [originally] the gold-plated Chest of the Agreement, containing a golden jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted buds and the tablets of the Agreement.