Please explain 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Let’s read that important verse. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But 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, the Spirit.” (NASB) This ‘unveiled face’ is in contrast to what we read in verses 13-15, “Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart.”
Today, as believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are not like Moses, who had to veil his face in the presence of the Lord’s people (read Exodus 34:33-35) because of the radiant glory he received from being in the presence of the Lord and witnessing His glory. Nor are we like the Jews, who have a veil on their hearts (read Isaiah 6:9-10), who although boasting themselves in the law, were disobedient and did not believe the Lord. “BUT WE ALL”, not just noted ministers and preachers of the Gospel only, but all believers, whether Jews or Gentiles, younger or older, who, through the work of the Spirit of God, are converted to Christ. With an open, or unveiled face, we can gaze upon the glory of Christ.
As we gaze upon the Lord in a ‘mirror’ by being occupied by Him through studying His Word, and striving to be obedient to it, we are changed more and more to be like Him. This is the power of the scriptures in our lives. While we do not yet see Him ‘face to face’, we see Him in His Word. Others will be able to see Christ in us! This is not something that we try to accomplish. Rather, as we are occupied more and more with Christ our savior, we will naturally be changed from the glory of this sinful world to the glory of God Himself, reflecting Him in our everyday lives. (213.4)