See God’s Glory - Know God’s Grace - 2 Corinthians 1-3

2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (ESV)

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Paul, in 2 Corinthians, is responding to challenges to his Apostleship and, therefore, his authority to instruct them.  He has already made some practical rational for his authority, but in the above he makes a huge theological argument.  As one commentary stated:

In contrast to Moses, Paul proclaims the gospel with boldness because he knows that the glory of God that is now revealed through his ministry need not be veiled, since by means of the Spirit of the new covenant, it produces life rather than judgment and death.

This tent-maker, past Pharisee, is now asserting himself as better than Moses.  How can he do that?  Because Moses had to veil the glory of God that shone on his face and Paul is declaring the glory of God.    In Moses’ day the glory of God showed judgment on mankind.   In Paul’s day the glory of God brought grace to mankind.  Paul wants them to not only see God’s glory, he wants them to be changed, from one degree to another, into that glory.   The authority of his apostleship is not wrapped up in his name recognition, his title, his personality, or his status in life. It is based solely on his message of the glory of God being revealed to mankind through what he is teaching.    In their rejection of Paul they were, in essence, rejecting God’s message.   The message of God’s glory is our message.   It is seen in the risen Christ.  That gives anyone authority to speak.