What does 2 Corinthians 3:11 mean?

"For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious." - 2 Corinthians 3:11

"For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious." - 2 Corinthians 3:11

The verse in question comes from the New Testament in the Bible and reads as follows in the King James Version:

"For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."

This verse is taken from the second epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, specifically from chapter 3, verse 11. In this chapter, Paul is addressing the Corinthians, defending his ministry and his message. In the broader context of the chapter, Paul contrasts the old covenant with the new covenant in Christ Jesus. He uses the image of Moses and the Israelites as they received the law on Mount Sinai to illustrate the fading glory of the old covenant and the surpassing glory of the new covenant in Christ.

To fully understand the significance of this verse, it's important to first look at its immediate context within 2 Corinthians. Throughout the chapter, Paul uses the imagery of the ministry of the law, which was characterized by a fading glory, and contrasts it with the ministry of the Spirit, which is characterized by enduring glory. He emphasizes that the law, which was given through Moses, is temporary and brings condemnation, while the new covenant brought by Christ brings righteousness and life. The old covenant was glorious, but the new covenant is much more glorious.

In verse 7, Paul describes the ministry of the law as "the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone" and contrasts it with the ministry of the Spirit, which is "the ministry of the Spirit" and "the ministry of righteousness" (verse 9). In this contrast, Paul is emphasizing the superiority of the new covenant over the old covenant.

In verse 11, Paul emphasizes the surpassing glory of the new covenant by stating, "For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious." Here, Paul is pointing out that if the ministry of the law, which was done away with, was characterized by glory, then the ministry of the new covenant, which remains and endures, is even more glorious.

This verse also plays into the larger theme of the contrast between the old and new covenants found throughout the New Testament. In the book of Hebrews, for example, the author extensively explores the superiority of Christ and the new covenant over the old covenant, particularly in chapters 8-10. The old covenant, with its sacrificial system and focus on external rituals, is contrasted with the new covenant, which offers forgiveness of sins through Jesus' sacrifice and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Symbolically, the fading glory of the old covenant can be seen as representative of the temporary and incomplete nature of the law and human effort to please God. The enduring glory of the new covenant, on the other hand, symbolizes the permanence and completeness of the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. In Christ, believers have access to forgiveness, righteousness, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

In conclusion, 2 Corinthians 3:11 highlights the surpassing glory of the new covenant in Christ Jesus over the old covenant. It serves as a reminder to believers of the permanence and superiority of the salvation and righteousness found in Jesus. This verse also reinforces the broader biblical theme of the inadequacy of the law and the sufficiency of Christ as the mediator of the new and better covenant.

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2 Corinthians 3:11 Artwork

2 Corinthians 3:11 - "For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."

2 Corinthians 3:11 - "For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious."

"For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious." - 2 Corinthians 3:11

"For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious." - 2 Corinthians 3:11

2 Corinthians 3:6

2 Corinthians 3:6

2 Corinthians 11:3 - "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

2 Corinthians 11:3 - "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."

2 Corinthians 3:18

2 Corinthians 3:18

2 Corinthians 3:6

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2 Corinthians 11:11 - "Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth."

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2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

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2 Corinthians 6:11 - "O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged."

2 Corinthians 6:11 - "O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged."

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

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1 Corinthians 3:11 - "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

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2 Corinthians 2:11 - "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

2 Corinthians 2:11 - "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

2 Corinthians 11:14 - "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

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2 corinthians 10:3-5

2 corinthians 10:3-5

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2 Corinthians 11:5 - "For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles."

2 Corinthians 11:5 - "For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles."

2 Corinthians 11:13 - "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."

2 Corinthians 11:13 - "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."

2 Corinthians 6:3 - "Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:"

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2 Corinthians 11:19 - "For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise."

2 Corinthians 11:19 - "For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise."

2 Corinthians 11:29 - "Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?"

2 Corinthians 11:29 - "Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?"