3:12-16 What do we learn from what Paul says here?
3:12-16 What do we learn from what Paul says here?
We learn from this that the literal veil Moses covered his face with illustrates the Spiritual veil which prevents some who read the old testament from understanding its witness to, and fulfilment in, Jesus (CP Ex 34:29-33). In 2Cor 3:13 Paul said Moses put the veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the fading reflection of God's glory in it, which represented the fading glory of the Old Covenant (CP V13 with Ro 3:21-22; 10:4; He 7:18-25; 9:11-15; 10:1-10).
The Jews had so hardened their minds to the teachings of the Old Covenant that they could not see that Jesus was the end of the law; that it was made void and done away with in Him, and the New Covenant begun. However, when they receive Jesus as saviour God removes the veil and gives them understanding of His word. This of course applies to everyone who receives Jesus (CP 2Cor 3:15-16 with Isa 25:6-8 and Eph 4:17-20).
When the veil of disobedience and unbelief has been removed believers reflect God's glory. They undergo a continuous and progressive transformation from one degree of glory to another, becoming more like God expressed so perfectly in the life of Christ (CP 2Cor 3:18 with Ro 8:29-30; 12:1-2; 1Cor 6:9-11; 2Cor 4:4-6; Php 2:12-13; 3:12-14; Jas 1:21-25; 1Jn 3:1-3).
These scriptures all teach progressive sanctification: the more believers grow in the knowledge of Christ, the more He is revealed in their lives.
It should be noted here that many Christians today are also blind to the fact of the Old Testament being abolished in Christ. They argue that only the ceremonial law was done away with, not the moral law. But that is not correct - the entire law was abolished as Ro 3:21-22, 10:4, He 7:18-25, 9:11-15 and 10:1-10 all clearly teach, as do many other scriptures also (CP 2Cor 3:11; Ga 4:21-31; Eph 2:14-22; Col 2:13-17; He 7:12; 8:6-13).
Nine of the Ten Commandments however were reaffirmed under the New Covenant. Only the commandment to keep the sabbath - the fourth commandment - was excluded because its sole purpose was to commemorate the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt (CP De 5:15).
The Old Covenant was for Israel only, whereas the New Covenant is for all people (CP Ex 31:12-18 and Eze 20:9-13 with Hos 2:23; Ro 2:14; 9:22-26, 30-33).
Many Christians also refer to Mt 5:17-18 to support their view that the Old Covenant has not been completely abolished, not realising that it was Christ Himself who fulfilled it (CP Mt 5:17-18). See also comments on Mt 5:17-19; Ro 10:4; 2Cor 3:6; Eph 2:15-16(A); Col 2:14; He 7:18-19 and 8:6 and author's study
The Old Covenant - Fulfilled in Christ and Completely Abolished in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1).