Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 3:11

What does 2 Corinthians 3:11 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 3:11 means

If what was destined to pass away came with glory, how much more glorious is what remains. The old covenant had a built-in temporariness; it pointed beyond itself. The new covenant, inaugurated through Christ and applied by the Spirit, abides. Its glory is not a fading afterglow but a steady, enduring light. Believers need not fear that God’s present way of relating to his people will flicker out. The permanence of the new covenant assures us that the life and righteousness it brings are lasting, not tentative. This enduring quality undergirds a ministry that speaks plainly and hopes boldly.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For if that which passeth away was with glory, much more that which remaineth is in glory.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For if that which passeth away was with glory, much more that which remaineth is in glory.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For if the order which was for a time had its glory, much more will the eternal order have its glory.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for if that which is being made useless <FI>is<Fi> through glory, much more that which is remaining <FI>is<Fi> in glory.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For if that annulled [was introduced] with glory, much rather that which abides [subsists] in glory.

Context

Verse 11 concludes the theological comparison: from passing to remaining glory. This permanence grounds the confidence Paul expresses in verse 12. With the contrast established, he turns to practical implications—great boldness and unveiled ministry—and to the problem of spiritual veiling among those who read Moses without Christ (vv. 13–15). The following verses will explain how the veil is removed by turning to the Lord and what freedom and transformation result from the Spirit’s presence.

v.10For verily that which hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasseth.

v.11This passage

v.12Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:6

    who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:1

    Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:

  • Hebrews 7:21

    (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but he with an oath by him that saith of him, The Lord sware and will not repent himself, Thou art a priest for ever);

  • Romans 5:20

    And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly:

  • Hebrews 8:13

    In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away.

  • Hebrews 12:25

    See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:

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