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2 Corinthians 3:10

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Corinthians 3:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For verily that which hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasseth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For verily that which hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasseth.
2 Corinthians 3:10 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Corinthians 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7But 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:
8how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory?
9For if the ministration of condemnation hath glory, much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10For verily that which hath been made glorious hath not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasseth.
11For if that which passeth away [was] with glory, much more that which remaineth [is] in glory.
12Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,
13and [are] not as Moses, [who] put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly on the end of that which was passing away:
← 2 Corinthians 3:92 Corinthians 3:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For even that which was made glorious, etc..] The apostle grants that there was a glory in the law: it “was made glorious”; it was glorious in the author of it, who is God; it was of his appointing and ordaining, agreeable to his nature, and a declaration of his will; his authority was stamped upon it, and it was written by himself, which cannot be said of any other law whatever; it was glorious in its promulgation, God himself appeared in great glory at the giving of it; Christ was then present; it was ordained by angels, and by them delivered into the hands of Moses, on whose face such a glory was left as could not be steadfastly looked upon; and it was attended with thunderings,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For even the ministration of condemnation, the law, Co2 3:7 (which has been glorified at Sinai in Moses' person), has now (English Version translates less fitly, "was made . . . had") lost its glory in this respect by reason of the surpassing glory (of the Gospel): as the light of the stars and moon fades in the presence of the sun.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For even that which was made glorious - (τὸ δεδοξασμένον to dedoxasmenon). That was splendid, excellent, or glorious. This refers doubtless, to the laws and institutions of Moses, especially to the primary giving of the Law. Paul does not deny that it had an honor and majesty such, in some respects, as the Jews claimed for it. It was glorious in the manner in which it was given; it was glorious in the purity of the Law itself; and it was glorious, or splendid in the magnificent and imposing ritual in which the worship of God was celebrated. But all this was surpassed in the brighter glory of the gospel. Had no glory - Greek: “Was not glorious, or splendid” (οὐδὲ δεδόξασται oude…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“It hath no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excelleth - That is, none in comparison of this more excellent glory. The greater light swallows up the less. 2 Corinthians 3:11”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“had: Job 25:5; Isa 24:23; Hag 2:3, Hag 2:7-9; Act 26:13; Phi 3:7-8; Pe2 1:17; Rev 21:23, Rev 21:24, Rev 22:5 2 Corinthians 3:11”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification