1
Ἀρχόμεθα πάλιν ἑαυτοὺς συνιστάνειν; ἢ μὴ χρῄζομεν ὥς τινες συστατικῶν ἐπιστολῶν πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἢ ἐξ ὑμῶν;
Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you?
Resuming the apologetic of 2:17, Paul anticipates the charge of self-commendation with two rhetorical questions, the second expecting the answer 'no' (μή).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Ἀρχόμεθαare we beginningPres Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἄρχομαιmain verb (deliberative question)→ inceptive presentἄρχομαι (mid.): 'begin'; here ironic — 'are we starting over' at self-promotion, as if v.2:17 had not settled it.
πάλινagainadverb (repetition)πάλιν: 'again'; implying a prior accusation that Paul commends himself (cf. 5:12).
ἑαυτοὺςourselvesAccusativereflexive pronoun (object of συνιστάνειν)
συνιστάνεινto commendPres Act Inf · συνιστάνωcomplementary infinitive→ iterative presentσυνιστάνω/συνίστημι: 'commend, present, recommend' (lit. 'set together'); a key verb in this letter for commendation (cf. 4:2; 5:12; 6:4; 10:18).
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
μὴsurely notinterrogative particle (expects 'no')μή: introducing a question that anticipates a negative answer — 'we don't need… do we?'
χρῄζομενwe needPres Act Indic 1 Pl · χρῄζωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ stative presentχρῄζω: 'have need of, require' (+ gen.); Paul disavows dependence on credentials.
ὥςascomparative particle
τινεςsomeNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject of implied verb)τις: 'some(one)'; a veiled reference to rival 'super-apostles' who trade on letters of recommendation (cf. 10–11).
συστατικῶνof recommendationGenitiveattributive adjectiveσυστατικός: 'commendatory'; from συνίστημι — letters that introduce and vouch for a person, a standard Greco-Roman convention.
ἐπιστολῶνlettersGenitivegenitive (object of χρῄζομεν)ἐπιστολή: 'letter, epistle'; here the formal credential carried by traveling teachers.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source)
2
ἡ ἐπιστολὴ ἡμῶν ὑμεῖς ἐστε, ἐγγεγραμμένη ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν, γινωσκομένη καὶ ἀναγινωσκομένη ὑπὸ πάντων ἀνθρώπων·
You are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by all people;
Paul's answer: the Corinthians themselves are his living letter of recommendation — needing no parchment, inscribed on the heart and legible to all.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἐπιστολὴletterNominativepredicate nominative (fronted)ἐπιστολή: 'letter'; the metaphor turns — the church is itself Paul's credential.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ὑμεῖς: 'you' (pl.) — emphatic; the Corinthians are the letter.
ἐστεarePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (equative)→ stative present
ἐγγεγραμμένηwritten/inscribedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · ἐγγράφωattributive participle (modifies ἐπιστολή)→ intensive perfect (abiding inscription)ἐγγράφω: 'write in/on, inscribe' (ἐν + γράφω); the perfect stresses the standing, permanent record.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (location)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
καρδίαιςheartsDativedat. of location (writing-surface)καρδία: 'heart'; the inner person — anticipating the new-covenant promise of a law written on the heart (Jer 31:33).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possessionA minority of MSS read 'your' (ὑμῶν); 'our hearts' is the better-attested reading — the church is engraved on Paul's affection.
γινωσκομένηknownPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · γινώσκωattributive participle→ present (ongoing)γινώσκω: 'know, recognize'; the letter is openly recognized — a play on the verb of reading.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀναγινωσκομένηreadPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · ἀναγινώσκωattributive participle→ present (ongoing)ἀναγινώσκω: 'read (aloud)' (ἀνά + γινώσκω, 'recognize again'); a deliberate wordplay with γινωσκομένη.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective
ἀνθρώπωνpeopleGenitivegenitive of agency (with ὑπό)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person'; the letter is public — anyone can read the transformed church.
3
φανερούμενοι ὅτι ἐστὲ ἐπιστολὴ Χριστοῦ διακονηθεῖσα ὑφ' ἡμῶν, ἐγγεγραμμένη οὐ μέλανι ἀλλὰ πνεύματι θεοῦ ζῶντος, οὐκ ἐν πλαξὶν λιθίναις ἀλλ' ἐν πλαξὶν καρδίαις σαρκίναις.
showing that you are a letter of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.
The metaphor deepened: the church is Christ's letter, authored by the Spirit and merely 'ministered' by Paul — the contrast of ink/stone vs. Spirit/heart launches the new-covenant theme.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
φανερούμενοιbeing shown/made manifestPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · φανερόωadverbial participle (loosely w/ ὑμεῖς of v.2)→ present (ongoing)φανερόω: 'make manifest, reveal' (cf. 2:14; 4:10–11); the church is openly disclosed as Christ's letter. The masculine plural attaches ad sensum to the Corinthians.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of φανερούμενοι)
ἐστὲyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ stative present
ἐπιστολὴletterNominativepredicate nominativeἐπιστολή: 'letter'; now defined as 'of Christ' — he is the author.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of source/authorΧριστός: 'Christ'; the letter's true author, with Paul as scribe/courier.
διακονηθεῖσαministered/deliveredAor Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · διακονέωattributive participle (modifies ἐπιστολή)→ constative aoristδιακονέω: 'serve, minister, deliver' (cf. διακονία, vv.7–9); Paul's role is service, not authorship — he carried and transcribed Christ's letter.
ὑφ'bypreposition + genitive (agency)
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive of agency (with ὑπό)
ἐγγεγραμμένηwrittenPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · ἐγγράφωattributive participle→ intensive perfect (standing inscription)ἐγγράφω: 'inscribe'; the perfect again — a permanent writing, now contrasted by medium and surface.
οὐnotnegative particle
μέλανιinkDativedat. of means (instrument)μέλαν: 'ink' (lit. 'the black [stuff]'); the perishable medium of ordinary letters.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
πνεύματιwith the SpiritDativedat. of means (instrument)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the divine 'ink' — the agent who writes the new covenant on hearts (cf. Ezek 36:26–27).
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source
ζῶντοςlivingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ζάωattributive participle (modifies θεοῦ)→ present (characteristic)ζάω: 'live'; 'the living God' — the covenant title, contrasted with dead stone and the death-dealing letter (v.6).
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐνonpreposition + dative (location)
πλαξὶνtabletsDativedat. of location (writing-surface)πλάξ: 'flat stone, tablet'; the word of the Sinai tablets (Exod 31:18 LXX; Deut 9:10).
λιθίναιςof stoneDativeattributive adjectiveλίθινος: 'made of stone'; the medium of the old covenant — external, fixed, lifeless.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ἐνonpreposition + dative (location)
πλαξὶνtabletsDativedat. of locationπλάξ: 'tablet'; reused for paradoxical effect — 'tablets' that are living hearts.
καρδίαιςheartsDativedat. in apposition to πλαξίνκαρδία: 'heart'; the appositional construction equates the 'tablets' with hearts (cf. Ezek 11:19; 36:26, 'heart of flesh').
σαρκίναιςof fleshDativeattributive adjectiveσάρκινος: 'fleshy, made of flesh' (the material -ινος form, not the ethical σαρκικός); here positive — soft, living, responsive, vs. stone.
4
Πεποίθησιν δὲ τοιαύτην ἔχομεν διὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ πρὸς τὸν θεόν.
Such is the confidence we have through Christ toward God.
A hinge verse: Paul roots the bold claim of vv.1–3 not in himself but in a confidence held through Christ and directed Godward — preparing the disclaimer of v.5.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ΠεποίθησινconfidenceAccusativedirect object (fronted, emphatic)πεποίθησις: 'confidence, trust, assurance' (from the perfect πέποιθα, 'I am confident'); reliance, not boasting.
δὲnowtransitional conjunction
τοιαύτηνsuchAccusativedemonstrative adjectiveτοιοῦτος: 'such, of this kind'; pointing back to the assurance of vv.1–3.
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; the present possession of this confidence.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (mediation)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveobject of διά (mediator)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the mediator through whom alone such confidence stands.
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativeobject of πρός (the one before whom)θεός: God; the confidence is exercised coram Deo, before God, not as self-assertion.
5
οὐχ ὅτι ἀφ' ἑαυτῶν ἱκανοί ἐσμεν λογίσασθαί τι ὡς ἐξ ἑαυτῶν, ἀλλ' ἡ ἱκανότης ἡμῶν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ,
Not that we are competent of ourselves to reckon anything as coming from ourselves, but our competence is from God,
Paul immediately qualifies: the confidence is no claim of self-sufficiency; all adequacy for ministry is sourced in God — the οὐχ… ἀλλά antithesis pivots on ἱκαν- (competence).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
οὐχnotnegative particle
ὅτιthatconjunction (οὐχ ὅτι, 'not that')οὐχ ὅτι: an idiom guarding against misunderstanding — 'I do not mean that…'
ἀφ'frompreposition + genitive (source)
ἑαυτῶνourselvesGenitivereflexive (object of ἀπό, source)ἑαυτῶν: 'ourselves'; the rejected source of competence.
ἱκανοίcompetent/sufficientNominativepredicate adjectiveἱκανός: 'sufficient, competent, adequate'; the root word of this paragraph (ἱκανότης, ἱκάνωσεν, v.6) — perhaps echoing God's self-designation.
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
λογίσασθαίto reckon/considerAor Mid Inf · λογίζομαιepexegetical infinitive (of ἱκανοί)→ constative aoristλογίζομαι: 'reckon, count, consider' (an accounting term, cf. Rom 4); Paul cannot even credit any thought to his own account.
τιanythingAccusativedirect object (indefinite)τις: 'anything'; nothing whatever may be claimed as self-derived.
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ἑαυτῶνourselvesGenitivereflexive (object of ἐκ, source)
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἱκανότηςcompetence/sufficiencyNominativesubjectἱκανότης: 'sufficiency, competence'; the abstract noun — the adequacy required for ministry.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἐκ (the true source)θεός: God; the sole source of all ministerial adequacy.
6
ὃς καὶ ἱκάνωσεν ἡμᾶς διακόνους καινῆς διαθήκης, οὐ γράμματος ἀλλὰ πνεύματος· τὸ γὰρ γράμμα ἀποκτέννει, τὸ δὲ πνεῦμα ζῳοποιεῖ.
who also made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
A relative clause unfolds the gift: God equipped Paul as minister of the new covenant. The letter/Spirit antithesis, clinched by 'kills/gives life,' becomes the engine of vv.7–18.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject; antecedent θεοῦ)
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ἱκάνωσενmade competentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἱκανόωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristἱκανόω: 'make sufficient, qualify' (cf. Col 1:12); God himself supplies the competence denied to the self (v.5).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object
διακόνουςministers/servantsAccusativeobject complement (double accusative)διάκονος: 'servant, minister'; the office God qualified them for — service of the covenant (cf. διακονία, vv.7–9).
καινῆςof a newGenitiveattributive adjectiveκαινός: 'new (in kind/quality)', not merely νέος ('new in time'); the eschatologically new covenant of Jer 31:31.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitiveobjective genitive (covenant they minister)διαθήκη: 'covenant, testament'; the LXX rendering of bĕrît — God's binding disposition; here Jeremiah's promised new covenant.
οὐnotnegative particle
γράμματοςof letterGenitivegenitive of quality/contentγράμμα: 'letter (of the alphabet), written code'; here the law as mere external written demand — the old order (cf. Rom 2:29; 7:6).
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
πνεύματοςof SpiritGenitivegenitive of quality/contentπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the covenant's defining power — the Holy Spirit who internalizes and enlivens.
τὸtheNominativearticle
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
γράμμαletterNominativesubjectγράμμα: 'written code'; the law's demand apart from the Spirit, which exposes and condemns sin (cf. Rom 7:9–11).
ἀποκτέννειkillsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκτείνωmain verb→ gnomic presentἀποκτείνω: 'kill, put to death'; the written code, lacking power to give life, brings only the sentence of death.
τὸtheNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubjectπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the life-giving counterpart to the killing letter.
ζῳοποιεῖgives lifePres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζῳοποιέωmain verb→ gnomic presentζῳοποιέω: 'make alive, give life' (ζωή + ποιέω); the Spirit's work — vivification, the heart of new-covenant ministry (cf. Rom 8:11; John 6:63).
7
Εἰ δὲ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ, ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διὰ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τὴν καταργουμένην,
Now if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not gaze at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was,
The first of three a fortiori conditionals (vv.7–11). The premise grants real glory to the old 'ministry of death' (Exod 34:29–30) — but flags it as already fading (καταργουμένην).
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
Εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)εἰ: 'if'; a real condition — the premise is granted as true, setting up the 'how much more.'
δὲnowtransitional conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
διακονίαministry/serviceNominativesubjectδιακονία: 'ministry, service'; the administration of the Sinai covenant — the keyword binding vv.7–9.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θανάτουdeathGenitivegenitive of effect/result (ministry producing death)θάνατος: 'death'; the law's effect (cf. v.6, 'the letter kills') — it administers a death sentence.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/manner)
γράμμασινlettersDativedat. of means (carved characters)γράμμα: 'letter, written character'; the decalogue chiseled letter by letter — the old code (cf. v.6).
ἐντετυπωμένηengraved/imprintedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · ἐντυπόωattributive participle (modifies διακονία)→ intensive perfect (engraved and remaining)ἐντυπόω: 'engrave, imprint' (ἐν + τύπος, 'impression'); a vivid hapax — the law was cut into stone, permanent yet external.
λίθοιςon stonesDativedat. of location (surface)λίθος: 'stone'; the Sinai tablets (cf. πλαξὶν λιθίναις, v.3) — hard, dead material.
ἐγενήθηcame to beAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (apodosis-bearing protasis)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'come to be, happen'; the old ministry 'came about with glory' at its inauguration.
ἐνwith/inpreposition + dative (attendant circumstance)
δόξῃgloryDativedat. of manner/accompanimentδόξα: 'glory, splendor'; the kābôd of Sinai (Exod 34) — the keyword of vv.7–11, conceded to the old order, then surpassed.
ὥστεso thatconjunction (result)ὥστε: 'so that, with the result that'; introducing the actual result — Israel's inability to look.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ infinitive)
δύνασθαιto be ablePres Mid Inf · δύναμαιinfinitive of result (with ὥστε)→ present (capacity)δύναμαι: 'be able'; the negated ability — they could not bear to look.
ἀτενίσαιto gaze intentlyAor Act Inf · ἀτενίζωcomplementary infinitive (of δύνασθαι)→ constative aoristἀτενίζω: 'look fixedly, gaze intently' (ἀ-intensive + τείνω, 'stretch'); to stare steadily — what the glory prevented (cf. v.13).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitiveυἱός: 'son'; 'sons of Israel,' the LXX idiom for the people (Exod 34:30).
Ἰσραὴλof IsraelGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ἰσραήλ: Israel; the covenant people at Sinai.
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (direction of gaze)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeobject of εἰςπρόσωπον: 'face, countenance'; Moses' radiant face (Exod 34:29–30) — the recurring image of vv.7, 13, 18.
Μωϋσέωςof MosesGenitivegenitive of possessionΜωϋσῆς: Moses; the mediator of the old covenant, type and foil throughout the section.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δόξανgloryAccusativeobject of διά (cause)δόξα: 'glory'; the dazzling radiance that forced Israel to look away.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
προσώπουfaceGenitivegenitive of source/possessionπρόσωπον: 'face'; the glory belonged to Moses' face only in reflection.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
τὴνthe (which was)Accusativearticle (attributive, w/ participle)
καταργουμένηνbeing annulled/fadingPres Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · καταργέωattributive participle (modifies δόξαν)→ present (process underway)καταργέω: 'render inoperative, abolish, do away with' (κατά + ἀργός, 'idle'); the keyword of the section (vv.7, 11, 13, 14) — the old glory was transient, already passing.
8
πῶς οὐχὶ μᾶλλον ἡ διακονία τοῦ πνεύματος ἔσται ἐν δόξῃ;
how shall the ministry of the Spirit not be even more in glory?
The first conclusion: if the death-ministry had glory, the Spirit-ministry must overflow with it — a rhetorical question (πῶς οὐχί) demanding emphatic assent.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
πῶςhowinterrogative adverbπῶς: 'how'; introducing a rhetorical question of certainty, not doubt.
οὐχὶnot indeedemphatic negative (expects 'yes')οὐχί: emphatic form of οὐ; πῶς οὐχί = 'how shall it not surely…' — affirming with force.
μᾶλλονmorecomparative adverbμᾶλλον: 'rather, more'; the a fortiori escalation.
ἡtheNominativearticle
διακονίαministryNominativesubjectδιακονία: 'ministry'; now the new-covenant administration — 'of the Spirit.'
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πνεύματοςSpiritGenitivegenitive of content/source (ministry of the Spirit)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the defining mark of the new ministry, set against θανάτου (v.7).
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ gnomic/logical futureεἰμί (fut.): 'will be'; the future of logical certainty — what must be the case.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/manner)
δόξῃgloryDativedat. of manner/sphereδόξα: 'glory'; the Spirit-ministry's even greater splendor.
9
εἰ γὰρ τῇ διακονίᾳ τῆς κατακρίσεως δόξα, πολλῷ μᾶλλον περισσεύει ἡ διακονία τῆς δικαιοσύνης δόξῃ.
For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.
The same argument restated with sharper labels: 'condemnation' vs. 'righteousness.' The verb περισσεύει ('overflows') intensifies the disproportion of glory.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τῇto theDativearticle
διακονίᾳministryDativedat. of possession (glory belongs to it)διακονία: 'ministry'; the old order, here named by its effect — condemnation.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
κατακρίσεωςcondemnationGenitivegenitive of effect/resultκατάκρισις: 'condemnation, sentencing against' (cf. κατάκριμα, Rom 8:1); the law's verdict against the sinner.
δόξαgloryNominativesubject (verbless clause; 'was glory')δόξα: 'glory'; granted even to the condemning ministry.
πολλῷby muchDativedat. of measure/degreeπολύς: 'much'; πολλῷ μᾶλλον = 'much more,' quantifying the surplus.
μᾶλλονmorecomparative adverb
περισσεύειabounds/overflowsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · περισσεύωmain verb→ gnomic presentπερισσεύω: 'abound, overflow, exceed' (cf. 1:5; 9:8); not merely 'has' glory but is awash in it.
ἡtheNominativearticle
διακονίαministryNominativesubjectδιακονία: 'ministry'; the new order, named by its effect — righteousness.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
δικαιοσύνηςrighteousnessGenitivegenitive of effect/resultδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness, justification'; the new covenant's gift — being set right with God, vs. condemnation.
δόξῃin gloryDativedat. of respect (abounds in respect of glory)δόξα: 'glory'; the sphere in which the new ministry overflows.
10
καὶ γὰρ οὐ δεδόξασται τὸ δεδοξασμένον ἐν τούτῳ τῷ μέρει εἵνεκεν τῆς ὑπερβαλλούσης δόξης·
Indeed, what once was glorified has in this respect no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it.
Paul presses to a paradox: the old glory is so eclipsed that, by comparison, it has no glory — outshone by the surpassing glory of the new (cf. a lamp at noon).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandconjunction (καὶ γάρ, 'for indeed')
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionκαὶ γάρ: 'for in fact, indeed'; confirming and intensifying v.9.
οὐnotnegative particle
δεδόξασταιhas been glorifiedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · δοξάζωmain verb→ intensive perfect (resultant state)δοξάζω: 'glorify, give glory to'; the perfect denotes a standing condition — 'stands in no glory now.'
τὸthe thingNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δεδοξασμένονhaving been glorifiedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · δοξάζωsubstantival participle (subject)→ intensive perfect (settled glory)δοξάζω: 'glorify'; the old covenant, once truly glorified, now appears glory-less beside the greater. A deliberate polyptoton with the finite verb.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect)
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative adjective
τῷtheDativearticle
μέρειrespect/partDativedat. of respect ('in this regard')μέρος: 'part, portion, respect'; ἐν τούτῳ τῷ μέρει = 'in this respect, in this case' — qualifying the loss of glory to a relative one.
εἵνεκενbecause ofpreposition + genitive (cause)εἵνεκεν (= ἕνεκεν): 'because of, on account of'; assigning the cause of the eclipse.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ὑπερβαλλούσηςsurpassingPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Fem · ὑπερβάλλωattributive participle (modifies δόξης)→ present (characteristic)ὑπερβάλλω: 'surpass, exceed, throw beyond' (ὑπέρ + βάλλω); a favorite Pauline superlative idea (cf. 9:14; Eph 1:19; 3:19) — the new glory outstrips all comparison.
δόξηςgloryGenitiveobject of εἵνεκεν (cause)δόξα: 'glory'; the surpassing glory of the new covenant that outshines the old.
11
εἰ γὰρ τὸ καταργούμενον διὰ δόξης, πολλῷ μᾶλλον τὸ μένον ἐν δόξῃ.
For if what was being annulled came through glory, much more is what remains in glory.
The decisive contrast: transient (καταργούμενον) vs. permanent (μένον). Even the fading thing had glory; the abiding new covenant possesses it far more — and abidingly.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τὸthe thingNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καταργούμενονbeing annulled/fadingPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · καταργέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (process underway)καταργέω: 'abolish, render void'; the old covenant as the passing thing — transient by design.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (attendant circumstance)διὰ δόξης: here 'through/with glory' — the manner of its coming, perhaps 'by way of glory' (a transient phase).
δόξηςgloryGenitiveobject of διάδόξα: 'glory'; the splendor that accompanied even the temporary order.
πολλῷby muchDativedat. of measure/degree
μᾶλλονmorecomparative adverb
τὸthe thingNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μένονremaining/abidingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · μένωsubstantival participle (subject; verb 'is' implied)→ present (durative)μένω: 'remain, abide, endure'; the new covenant as the permanent thing — its very glory is that it lasts (antithesis to καταργούμενον).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)ἐν δόξῃ: note the shift from διά to ἐν — the abiding thing is permanently 'in glory,' not merely 'through' a passing one.
δόξῃgloryDativedat. of sphereδόξα: 'glory'; the permanent splendor of what abides.
12
Ἔχοντες οὖν τοιαύτην ἐλπίδα πολλῇ παρρησίᾳ χρώμεθα,
Having therefore such a hope, we act with great boldness,
The inference from vv.7–11: since the new ministry is one of abiding, surpassing glory, Paul ministers with open boldness — the opposite of Moses' concealing veil (v.13).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
ἜχοντεςhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἔχωcausal/circumstantial participle→ present (concurrent)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the ground for boldness — present, ongoing possession of the hope.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; drawing the practical conclusion from the glory argument.
τοιαύτηνsuchAccusativedemonstrative adjectiveτοιοῦτος: 'such'; this kind of hope — grounded in the surpassing, abiding glory.
ἐλπίδαhopeAccusativedirect object of Ἔχοντεςἐλπίς: 'hope'; confident expectation grounded in the permanence of the new covenant's glory.
πολλῇgreat/muchDativeattributive adjective
παρρησίᾳboldness/opennessDativedat. of manner (object of χρώμεθα)παρρησία: 'boldness, frankness, openness' (lit. 'all-speaking'); plain, unconcealed speech and conduct — the antithesis of Moses' veil.
χρώμεθαwe use/actPres Mid Indic 1 Pl · χράομαιmain verb→ customary presentχράομαι: 'use, employ, make use of' (+ dat.); 'we employ great boldness' — Paul's open manner of ministry.
13
καὶ οὐ καθάπερ Μωϋσῆς ἐτίθει κάλυμμα ἐπὶ τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ, πρὸς τὸ μὴ ἀτενίσαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὸ τέλος τοῦ καταργουμένου.
and not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face, so that the sons of Israel might not gaze at the end of what was fading away.
Paul contrasts his openness with Moses' veiling (Exod 34:33–35), reading it purposively: the veil kept Israel from seeing the τέλος ('end/outcome') of the fading glory.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
καθάπερjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθάπερ: 'just as, exactly as'; 'not as Moses [did]' — marking the contrast.
ΜωϋσῆςMosesNominativesubjectΜωϋσῆς: Moses; here the negative type of concealment.
ἐτίθειwould put/kept puttingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb→ customary/iterative imperfectτίθημι: 'put, place, lay'; the imperfect denotes repeated action — Moses habitually veiled his face (Exod 34:34–35).
κάλυμμαveilAccusativedirect objectκάλυμμα: 'veil, covering' (from καλύπτω, 'cover'); the catchword of vv.13–16, both literal and figurative.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (upon)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeobject of ἐπίπρόσωπον: 'face'; Moses' radiant but fading face, now hidden.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
πρὸςso thatpreposition + articular infinitive (purpose)πρὸς τό + inf.: a purpose construction — 'in order that.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with infinitive)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ infinitive)
ἀτενίσαιto gazeAor Act Inf · ἀτενίζωarticular infinitive of purpose→ constative aoristἀτενίζω: 'gaze intently' (cf. v.7); the veil's purpose was to block a steady look at the fading splendor.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitiveυἱός: 'son'; 'sons of Israel' (cf. v.7).
Ἰσραὴλof IsraelGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (direction of gaze)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
τέλοςend/outcomeAccusativeobject of εἰςτέλος: 'end, goal, outcome, termination'; either the cessation of the fading glory or its goal in Christ (cf. Rom 10:4) — likely both nuances.
τοῦof the thingGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καταργουμένουbeing annulled/fadingPres Pass Ptc · Gen Sg Neut · καταργέωsubstantival participle (genitive)→ present (process underway)καταργέω: 'abolish, fade away'; the transient glory whose 'end' the veil concealed.
14
ἀλλὰ ἐπωρώθη τὰ νοήματα αὐτῶν. ἄχρι γὰρ τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας τὸ αὐτὸ κάλυμμα ἐπὶ τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει μὴ ἀνακαλυπτόμενον, ὅτι ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται·
But their minds were hardened. For to this very day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant, not unveiled, because it is in Christ that it is being abolished;
Paul turns the literal veil into a figure for Israel's hardened understanding: the same veil lies over the reading of the old covenant — and only in Christ is it removed.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἐπωρώθηwere hardened/dulledAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πωρόωmain verb (neut. pl. subject, sg. verb)→ constative aoristπωρόω: 'harden, petrify, make dull' (from πῶρος, 'callus, hard stone'); their faculties were rendered insensible (cf. Rom 11:7; Mark 6:52).
τὰtheNominativearticle
νοήματαminds/thoughtsNominativesubjectνόημα: 'thought, mind, perception' (from νοέω); the mental faculties — here dulled to the truth (cf. 2:11; 4:4; 11:3).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
ἄχριuntilpreposition + genitive (extent of time)ἄχρι: 'up to, until'; ἄχρι τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας = 'to this very day' — the hardening persists.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
σήμερονtodayadverb (functioning attributively)σήμερον: 'today'; 'the today day' = the present day.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive (object of ἄχρι, time)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the present moment of Israel's continuing veil.
τὸtheNominativearticle
αὐτὸsameNominativeintensive/identical adjectiveαὐτός: here 'the same'; the very veil of Moses now lies on their reading.
κάλυμμαveilNominativesubjectκάλυμμα: 'veil'; now figurative — the obscuring of understanding.
ἐπὶat/overpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀναγνώσειreadingDativedat. of location (occasion)ἀνάγνωσις: 'reading (aloud)' (cf. ἀναγινώσκω, v.2); the public synagogue reading of Torah.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
παλαιᾶςoldGenitiveattributive adjectiveπαλαιός: 'old, ancient'; the term 'old covenant' — its earliest occurrence, set against καινή (v.6).
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitiveobjective genitive (what is read)διαθήκη: 'covenant'; the Sinai covenant and its Scripture.
μένειremainsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μένωmain verb→ durative presentμένω: 'remain, stay'; the veil persists — ironically, what 'remains' (cf. v.11) is now the veil, not the glory.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ptc.)
ἀνακαλυπτόμενονbeing unveiled/uncoveredPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · ἀνακαλύπτωadverbial participle (manner; modifies κάλυμμα)→ present (state)ἀνακαλύπτω: 'uncover, unveil' (ἀνά + καλύπτω); the veil is left unlifted — anticipating ἀνακεκαλυμμένῳ (v.18).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; explaining why it stays veiled — its removal happens only in Christ. (Some take it 'that it [the covenant] is abolished in Christ.')
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν (sphere of removal)Χριστός: 'Christ'; only in union with him is the veil — and the obsolete covenant — done away.
καταργεῖταιis being abolishedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταργέωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ present (process/result)καταργέω: 'abolish, render void' (cf. vv.7, 11, 13); in Christ the veil/old order is set aside.
15
ἀλλ' ἕως σήμερον ἡνίκα ἂν ἀναγινώσκηται Μωϋσῆς κάλυμμα ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν κεῖται·
but to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;
Paul relocates the veil from the text to the reader: it lies not on Moses' face now but on Israel's heart, every time the Law is read — a problem of perception, not of Scripture.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
ἕωςuntilpreposition/conjunction (extent of time)ἕως: 'until, as far as'; ἕως σήμερον = 'to this day' — restating ἄχρι… σήμερον (v.14).
σήμερονtodayadverb (time)σήμερον: 'today'; the persistent present of the veiled heart.
ἡνίκαwhenevertemporal conjunction (indefinite, w/ ἄν)ἡνίκα: 'when, at which time'; with ἄν, 'whenever' — recurring at each reading (echoing Exod 34:34 LXX).
ἂν[whenever]modal particle (indefinite frequency)ἄν: the contingency particle; with ἡνίκα and the subjunctive, marks a general, repeated occasion.
ἀναγινώσκηταιis readPres Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἀναγινώσκωsubjunctive (indefinite temporal clause)→ iterative presentἀναγινώσκω: 'read aloud' (cf. vv.2, 14); the public reading of Moses in the synagogue.
ΜωϋσῆςMosesNominativesubject (metonymy for the Law)Μωϋσῆς: 'Moses'; by metonymy, the books of Moses, the Torah read in worship.
κάλυμμαveilNominativesubject (main clause)κάλυμμα: 'veil'; now explicitly on the heart, not the text.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (upon, w/ motion-sense)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
καρδίανheartAccusativeobject of ἐπίκαρδία: 'heart'; the seat of understanding (cf. v.3) — the true locus of the veil, an inner blindness.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
κεῖταιliesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · κεῖμαιmain verb→ stative presentκεῖμαι: 'lie, be laid, be situated'; the veil rests in place over the heart — a settled condition.
16
ἡνίκα δὲ ἐὰν ἐπιστρέψῃ πρὸς κύριον, περιαιρεῖται τὸ κάλυμμα.
but whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
Echoing Exodus 34:34 (Moses removed the veil when he turned to the LORD), Paul universalizes it: turning to the Lord — conversion — is the removal of the heart's veil.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ἡνίκαwhenevertemporal conjunction (indefinite)ἡνίκα: 'when'; with ἐάν, 'whenever' — directly echoing Exod 34:34 LXX (ἡνίκα δ' ἂν εἰσεπορεύετο Μωυσῆς).
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἐὰν[whenever]conditional/modal particle (= ἄν here)ἐάν: here equivalent to ἄν, generalizing the temporal clause with the subjunctive.
ἐπιστρέψῃone turnsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωsubjunctive (indefinite temporal clause)→ ingressive aoristἐπιστρέφω: 'turn (back), return, convert' (ἐπί + στρέφω); the OT/biblical verb of repentant turning to God (subject unexpressed — anyone, 'their heart').
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
κύριονthe LordAccusativeobject of πρόςκύριος: 'Lord'; in Exod 34 it is YHWH; Paul will identify 'the Lord' with the Spirit/Christ (v.17), the object of conversion.
περιαιρεῖταιis removed/taken awayPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · περιαιρέωmain verb→ gnomic presentπεριαιρέω: 'take away (from around), strip off' (περί + αἱρέω); the very verb of Exod 34:34 LXX for Moses removing the veil — here the veil over the heart.
τὸtheNominativearticle
κάλυμμαveilNominativesubjectκάλυμμα: 'veil'; lifted at the turn to the Lord — the climax of the veil motif.
17
ὁ δὲ κύριος τὸ πνεῦμά ἐστιν· οὗ δὲ τὸ πνεῦμα κυρίου, ἐλευθερία.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
An interpretive gloss on 'the Lord' of v.16: the Lord to whom one turns is encountered as the Spirit; and the Spirit's presence means liberty — release from the veiled, condemning old order.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ὁtheNominativearticle
δὲnowexplanatory/transitional conjunction
κύριοςLordNominativesubjectκύριος: 'Lord'; 'the Lord' of v.16 (Exod 34) — Paul interprets the text's κύριος in terms of the Spirit's saving presence.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμάSpiritNominativepredicate nominative (articular)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the articular predicate identifies the realm — the Lord is experienced as the life-giving Spirit (v.6), not a denial of personal distinction.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
οὗwhererelative adverb of placeοὗ: 'where'; the genitive adverb of place — 'in the place where.'
δὲandconnective conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubject (verb 'is' implied)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; 'the Spirit of the Lord' — whose presence brings freedom.
κυρίουof the LordGenitivegenitive of source/possessionκύριος: 'Lord'; the Spirit belongs to and mediates the Lord.
ἐλευθερίαfreedom/libertyNominativepredicate nominative (verbless; 'there is')ἐλευθερία: 'freedom, liberty'; release from the veil, the condemning letter, and bondage — the mark of new-covenant existence (cf. Gal 5:1; Rom 8:2, 21).
18
ἡμεῖς δὲ πάντες ἀνακεκαλυμμένῳ προσώπῳ τὴν δόξαν κυρίου κατοπτριζόμενοι τὴν αὐτὴν εἰκόνα μεταμορφούμεθα ἀπὸ δόξης εἰς δόξαν, καθάπερ ἀπὸ κυρίου πνεύματος.
And we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
The summit of the chapter: 'we all' (not one veiled mediator) gaze unveiled on the Lord's glory and are progressively transfigured into his image — glory upon glory — by the Lord, the Spirit.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἡμεῖς: 'we'; emphatic — all believers, contrasted with veiled Israel and the single veiled Moses.
δὲandconnective conjunction
πάντεςallNominativeadjective (apposition to ἡμεῖς)πᾶς: 'all'; the whole new-covenant people share the access once limited to Moses.
ἀνακεκαλυμμένῳunveiledPerf Pass Ptc · Dat Sg Neut · ἀνακαλύπτωattributive participle (modifies προσώπῳ)→ intensive perfect (resultant unveiled state)ἀνακαλύπτω: 'unveil, uncover' (cf. v.14); the perfect marks the abiding condition — our faces stand permanently uncovered.
προσώπῳfaceDativedat. of manner/instrumentπρόσωπον: 'face'; unlike Moses' veiled face (v.13), ours is open to the glory.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δόξανgloryAccusativedirect object of κατοπτριζόμενοιδόξα: 'glory'; now beheld directly — the glory of the Lord, climaxing the δόξα motif.
κυρίουof the LordGenitivegenitive of source/possessionκύριος: 'Lord'; the glory belongs to the Lord (= Christ; cf. 4:4–6).
κατοπτριζόμενοιbeholding as in a mirrorPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · κατοπτρίζωadverbial participle (means/manner)→ present (concurrent, ongoing)κατοπτρίζομαι: 'behold/reflect as in a mirror' (from κάτοπτρον, 'mirror'); either 'gaze at' or 'reflect' the glory — likely contemplating it and so being changed by it.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
αὐτὴνsameAccusativeidentical adjectiveαὐτός: 'same'; transformed into the very image we behold — Christ's.
εἰκόναimageAccusativeaccusative of result/goal (transformed into)εἰκών: 'image, likeness'; Christ is the εἰκών of God (4:4; cf. Col 1:15), and believers are remade into that image (cf. Rom 8:29).
μεταμορφούμεθαwe are being transformedPres Pass Indic 1 Pl · μεταμορφόωmain verb→ progressive presentμεταμορφόω: 'transform, transfigure' (μετά + μορφή; cf. Rom 12:2; the Gospels' transfiguration); the passive — God/the Spirit does it; ongoing, present transformation.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source/starting point)
δόξηςgloryGenitiveobject of ἀπόδόξα: 'glory'; ἀπὸ δόξης εἰς δόξαν = 'from glory to glory' — ever-increasing glory, not a fading one (contrast vv.7, 13).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)
δόξανgloryAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)δόξα: 'glory'; the increasing terminus of the transformation.
καθάπερjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθάπερ: 'just as, even as'; here 'as you would expect from…' — naming the agent of the change.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (agent/source)
κυρίουthe LordGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source/agent)κύριος: 'Lord'; κυρίου πνεύματος is debated — 'the Lord who is the Spirit,' or 'the Lord of the Spirit,' or 'the Spirit who is Lord'; most naturally 'the Lord, the Spirit' (cf. v.17).
πνεύματοςthe SpiritGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίουπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the agent of the transformation, tying the climax back to vv.6, 17 — the Spirit who gives life and freedom transfigures into glory.