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OET (OET-LV) But if the service the of_death in letters having_been_engraved in_stones was_become in glory, so_as not to_be_able to_look_intently the sons of_Israaʸl/(Yisrāʼēl) at the face of_Mōsaʸs/(Mosheh), because_of the glory of_the face of_him, which is being_nullified,
OET (OET-RV) The system which was inscribed on stone tablets and which results in death was so incredible when it was given that the Israelis couldn’t even bring themselves to look at Mosheh’s face because it shone so brightly. But if that system is being nullified,
The false teachers in Corinth were Jews (11:22). In this section, Paul wrote about some of the false teachings of these men. Since they were Jews, Paul referred to people and events in the Old Testament, such as the tablets of stone (3:3), Moses (3:7), and Moses’ veil (3:13). They probably brought letters from other false teachers who said the false teachers in Corinth taught truthfully (3:1–3). The false teachers taught that believers must obey the Jewish laws. But Paul said that believers follow the new covenant with Jesus and not the old covenant with the Jews (3:14). He also spoke against their secret and shameful ways and said that they corrupted God’s word (4:2). Throughout this section Paul also encouraged the believers to follow Jesus.
Other examples of headings for this section are:
The Ministry That Comes From Christ Is Greater Than Moses’ Ministry (GW)
The new covenant is greater than the law of Moses
Paul included a lot of information in a complicated sentence here. He asked a rhetorical question that expected a yes answer:
If the ministry of the old covenant came with glory, will not the ministry of the new covenant be even more glorious? Yes, it will be even more glorious!
3:7b and 3:7c–d are extra information about the ministry of the old covenant. The General Comment at the end of the notes on 3:8 shows some ways to place the extra information without losing the main point.
This whole sentence is written as a question. But 3:7 is a statement of facts based on the Old Testament. Only 3:8 is the actual question. Having only one sentence causes the reader to compare the old ministry (3:7) to the new ministry (3:8). In some languages it is more natural to have two sentences here. For example:
7Now the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was. 8If that is true, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
Now if the ministry of death,
¶ And the ministry of the written laws that brought death
¶ The old covenant caused the penalty of death. Now the work of serving that covenant,
Now: This word introduces another way in which the new covenant is different from the old covenant. It is not a time word. Other ways to translate this word are:
And
Also,
Some languages can allow the context to indicate the introduction and do not need to translate this word.
the ministry of death: This phrase refers to the ministry based on the law of Moses. The priests served God by teaching those laws to the Jewish people. Some of the punishments were death, therefore Paul said that this ministry was of death. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
the ministry of the letter, which brings death
the ministry of the old covenant led to death
the ministry of the law of Moses that brought death as punishment
ministry: This word usually refers to the work of serving, helping, or caring for others. But in this context, the word refers to the priests doing the work that the law of Moses required. Paul used this word here to compare it later to his ministry (3:8). Other ways to translate this word are:
service
work
doing the work
This word in important in 3:7–11. Translate it in a similar way each time.
which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory
and which was carved with letters in stone, began with glory/splendor,
started in glory/radiance. That work of serving is symbolized by the stone slabs that God wrote on.
which was engraved in letters on stone: This clause tells the reader more about “the ministry of death.” It does not imply that there are other ministries that brought death and this one was engraved in letters on stone. Some languages must translate differently to indicate the correct meaning. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here or use parentheses. For example:
7bThe ministry that brought death was engraved in letters on stone. 7aNow if it 7bcame with glory,
Now if the ministry that brought death came with glory (that ministry was engraved in letters on stone),
This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
which God engraved in letters on stone
engraved: This word refers to carving into the stone. God carved the Ten Commandments into the stone tablets. Other ways to translate this word are:
carved (RSV)
inscribed (GW)
in letters: This phrase refers to the letters of the alphabet. God carved letters to make words and wrote the Ten Commandments. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
with letters
in written form (REB)
on stone: God made grooves in the shapes of letters in the stone tablets. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
in stone (NLT)
on stone tablets (NET)
came with such glory: The Greek word that the BSB translates as came means “began to exist” here. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
occurred in such glory (NJB)
God’s glory appeared when it was given (GNT)
glory: The word glory refers literally to a very bright light. In this context it implies power, majesty, and greatness. When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai, there was thunder and lightning, smoke and fire (Exodus 19:16–19). In Moses’ second visit to the mountain, the glory of God caused Moses’ face to shine (Exodus 34:29). Other ways to translate this word are:
splendor
radiance
that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory: Moses talked with God and his face began to shine brightly (Exodus 34:29). When Moses left, the glory/radiance on his face began to fade. In some languages a literal translation would not make clear how Moses’ face became radiant. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
Explain in your translation. For example:
Moses’ face also received some of that glory so that the Israelites could not look steadily at it because of its fleeting glory, fading as it was
Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
Moses went to God so that God could give the Ten Commandments to him. The Ten Commandments were the first part of the old covenant. During that time, God gave him other laws, and on one occasion Moses asked to see God’s glory. Upon seeing it, his face began to shine brightly. After he left, the glory/radiance on his face began to fade.
that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses
so that the people of Israel could not stare/gaze at Moses’ face
Moses’ face also received some of that glory and so the Israelites could only glance at it before looking away,
Israelites: The ending -ite means “a person of.” This word refers to the group of people named Israel. For example:
the people of Israel (GNT)
could not gaze: After Moses visited God on the mountain, his face shone very brightly. It shone so brightly that it hurt the eyes of those trying to look at him, so they could not gaze at him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
could not look intently (NASB)
could not stare
could only glance
because of its fleeting glory,
because its glory was so bright, even though it was fading.
because of the glory/brightness/radiance, even though that glory was dimming.
fleeting: The glory on Moses’ face gradually dimmed. The glory shone less each day. For example:
that glory later dimmed
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases
δὲ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ ὥστε μή δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τούς υἱούς Ἰσραήλ εἰς τό πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διά τήν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τήν καταργουμένην)
Here, the word Now introduces a development of the ideas from the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a development, or you could leave Now untranslated. Alternate translation: [Indeed,]
Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-condition-fact
εἰ
if
Paul is speaking as if the glory of the ministry of death were a possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might think that what Paul is saying is not certain, then you can introduce the clause with a word such as “since” or “given that.” Alternate translation: [since] or [given that]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession
ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου
the service ¬the ˱of˲_death
Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe a ministry that leads to death. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [the ministry that leads to death]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου
the service ¬the ˱of˲_death
Here, the word ministry could refer primarily to: (1) the action of ministering. In this case, the word refers to how Moses administered the old covenant. Alternate translation: [the service of this death] or [the act of ministering that led to death] (2) the system of ministry. In this case, the word refers to the old covenant or its laws. Alternate translation: [the system of this death] or [the laws that led to death]
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns
ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου
the service ¬the ˱of˲_death
If your language does not use an abstract nouns for the idea of death, you could express the idea by using a verb such as “die.” Alternate translation: [the ministry that causes people die]
Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις
in letters ˓having_been˒_engraved ˱in˲_stones
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who did the action, Paul implies that God did it (See: also [Exodus 34:1](../exo/34/01.md)). Alternate translation: [which God engraved in letters on stones]
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις
in letters ˓having_been˒_engraved ˱in˲_stones
Here Paul refers to how God engraved or carved the regulations for the ministry on stones or tablets. Much as in the previous verse, letters refers to written characters, so the point is that God used writing. Paul is probably referring to the story about how Moses met God on a mountain, and God carved the regulations of the covenant on two pieces of stone. You can read this story in [Exodus 34:1–28](../exo/34/01.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [engraved in writing by God onto two stone slabs]
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns
ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ
˓was˒_become in glory
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “glorious” or “great.” Alternate translation: [was very great]
Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὸ πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως, διὰ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, τὴν καταργουμένην
so_as (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ ὥστε μή δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τούς υἱούς Ἰσραήλ εἰς τό πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διά τήν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τήν καταργουμένην)
Here Paul refers to a story about what happened after God engraved the stone tablets. When Moses returned to talk to the Israelites, his face shone brightly because he had been talking to God. In other words, some of God’s glory became part of Moses’ face, and the Israelites could not look intently at his face because it was a little like looking at God. You can read this story in [Exodus 34:29–35](../exo/34/29.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the idea more explicit or include a footnote explaining the story. Alternate translation: [so that the sons of Israel were not able to look carefully at the face of Moses because of the fading glory on his face that came from talking with God]
Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations
τοὺς υἱοὺς
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ ὥστε μή δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τούς υἱούς Ἰσραήλ εἰς τό πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διά τήν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τήν καταργουμένην)
Although the word sons is masculine, Paul is using it to refer to any children or descendants, both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word that applies to both men and women or you could refer to both genders. Alternate translation: [the sons and daughters] or [the children]
Note 11 topic: translate-kinship
τοὺς υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ ὥστε μή δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τούς υἱούς Ἰσραήλ εἰς τό πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διά τήν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τήν καταργουμένην)
Here the author uses the word sons to refer in general to all the descendants of Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that refers to descendants in general. Alternate translation: [the descendants of Israel] or [those descended from Israel]
Note 12 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
διὰ τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, τὴν καταργουμένην
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ ὥστε μή δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τούς υἱούς Ἰσραήλ εἰς τό πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διά τήν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τήν καταργουμένην)
Here, the reason why the Israelites were not able to look intently at Moses’ face could be that: (1) Moses’ face was very “glorious.” Alternate translation: [because of the glory of his face, even though it was fading] (2) the glory of his face was fading. Alternate translation: [because the glory of his face was fading]
Note 13 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns
τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, τὴν καταργουμένην
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ ὥστε μή δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τούς υἱούς Ἰσραήλ εἰς τό πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διά τήν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τήν καταργουμένην)
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “glorious” or “shining.” Alternate translation: [how his face was shining, even though that was fading]
Note 14 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
τὴν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, τὴν καταργουμένην
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰ Δέ ἡ διακονία τοῦ θανάτου ἐν γράμμασιν ἐντετυπωμένη λίθοις ἐγενήθη ἐν δόξῃ ὥστε μή δύνασθαι ἀτενίσαι τούς υἱούς Ἰσραήλ εἰς τό πρόσωπον Μωϋσέως διά τήν δόξαν τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τήν καταργουμένην)
Here, the word fading could describe: (1) the glory of Moses’ face. Alternate translation: [the glory of his face that faded] (2) the ministry of this death. Alternate translation: [the glory of his face, although that ministry was fading away]
3:4-18 The contrast between Paul’s ministry and the others’ ministries leads Paul to contrast the old covenant of written laws (Exod 31:18) with the new covenant written on human hearts (Jer 31:33).
OET (OET-LV) But if the service the of_death in letters having_been_engraved in_stones was_become in glory, so_as not to_be_able to_look_intently the sons of_Israaʸl/(Yisrāʼēl) at the face of_Mōsaʸs/(Mosheh), because_of the glory of_the face of_him, which is being_nullified,
OET (OET-RV) The system which was inscribed on stone tablets and which results in death was so incredible when it was given that the Israelis couldn’t even bring themselves to look at Mosheh’s face because it shone so brightly. But if that system is being nullified,
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.