Welcome to Day 30 for one of our short powerful devotions from the 30 Bible Verses About God's Amazing Grace, bible reading plan. This short devotional is based on 2 Corinthians 3:18 and it is the last one in this series.
I have loved every minute of writing on the topic of God's Amazing Grace and all 30 devotional studies will soon be compiled into a PDF with discussion questions for everyone seeking our printable women's Bible lessons.
Read 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
Click on the verse to read it in various translations at Biblegateway.com.
"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."
Take note of how the verse is translated in the ESV version above. What words stand out to you?
For me, right now as I read this, the beautiful words, 'unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord' stand out to me, So do the words, 'being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to the next.
Now read 2 Corinthians 3:18 in the NKJV
"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 by the Spirit of the Lord."
The benefits of reading Bible passages in various Bible translations, make the meaning of scripture come alive in your heart.
What words stand out to you in the NKJV?
For me, the words, 'beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord', give me a beautiful picture of the transformation God is working in us as we allow Him to mold and form us in His image.
One of the Hebrew names of God describes His character as our potter. You can read about Yaster - The Potter HERE.
What does 2 Corinthians 3:18 mean?
The Apostle Paul is speaking to the believers in Corinth. It is his second letter to them.
Paul is alluding to the experience Moses had on Mount Sinai after being in the Lord's presence. You can read about it in Exodus 34:29-35.
The presence of God was so radiant on Moses' face, reflecting the Lord's glory that he had to wear a veil over his face or the people were afraid to come near to him.
In verse 18, Paul is saying that Christians, unlike Moses, do not need a veil over their faces. They can "contemplate" or "behold" the glory of the Lord with "unveiled faces." The transformative power comes from the Spirit of the Lord — as believers focus on Him, they are transformed into His likeness.
From Glory to Glory
The transformation into the image of Christ is a process ("from glory to glory"), suggesting that it happens over time and in stages, rather than all at once.
When we submit our lives to Jesus Christ, the veil preventing us from coming into God's presence is taken away. We are invited to come into the Lord's presence all the time. There are no barriers, and there are no veils!
And while we spend time in His presence, we are transformed by the Lord's presence to reflect more and more of His glory to the people around us.
Join me below as we discuss how being in God's presence, we are being transformed from glory to glory.
Glory To Glory - 2 Corinthians 3:18: Devotional
In the heart of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians lies a promise of transformation – a profound change not from the outside in, but from the inside out. It’s the transformation that occurs when we turn to Jesus, and our veils are removed, allowing us to see and reflect the glory of God.
The "veil" Paul refers to is not just a physical barrier but a spiritual one. It represents anything that hinders our vision of God and His glory. For the Israelites, it was the old covenant – a shadow of the good things to come. For us, it could be our past, our sins, our doubts, or our fears.
In Christ, this veil is taken away, and we stand face-to-face with the reality of God's grace. As we "contemplate" or focus on the Lord’s glory, a miraculous exchange happens. We are being transformed into His image – this is the work of the Holy Spirit in us.
From Glory to Glory meaning
It’s not a one-time event but a journey of transformation. Each day, we are given the opportunity to grow more in the likeness of Jesus. It's a progressive journey from one degree of glory to another, an "ever-increasing glory."
2 Corinthians 3:18 isn't just about personal transformation; it's also about community. "We all," Paul writes, emphasizing that this transformation is a collective experience for the body of Christ. Together, as we each reflect God’s glory, we contribute to a greater revelation of His nature to the world.
Reflecting The Lord's Glory
The source of this transformative power is "the Lord, who is the Spirit." It reminds us that we are not alone in our journey. The Holy Spirit is constantly at work in us, enabling us to overcome the veils that once blinded us, shaping us to be more like Christ.
Use the free guided prayer journal that you will find in the Resource Library or grab a notebook and use the following questions to enable you to unpack what God is saying to you through 2 Corinthians 3:18 today.
What veils might be hindering you from seeing God's glory?
Is it a commitment to self-reliance, a habit of sin, a fear of the unknown, or maybe a reluctance to forgive?
As we seek to have our veils removed, let’s practice turning our hearts toward the Lord in prayer, worship, and the reading of His Word. As we do so, expect the gradual, transformative work of the Spirit to take place in your life!
Scripture Prayer - 2 Corinthians 3:18
We are called to pray without ceasing. That means we can talk with God at any time and in any place. You can chat with God throughout the day! Praying scripture is a powerful way to pray so join me in praying 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Father, thank You for the promise that as we gaze upon Your glory, we are transformed.
Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, to reflect His love, and to walk in the power of Your Spirit. May we be ever-changing, ever-growing, ever-reflecting the image of Christ in our lives. Mold us into Your image with ever-increasing glory by the power of Your Spirit. We thank You for the work You are doing in us, and we look forward with hope to the day when we shall fully mirror Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Related Resources:
1. You will find 30 Bible Verses About God's Amazing Grace (Free Bible Plan And Prayer Journal)HERE It will have the list of 30 Bible verses that we are using for 30 days that our short powerful daily devotionals are based on.
2. You may enjoy reading, Yatsar-The Potter: Biblical Meaning And Praying The Names Of God.
4. We have many resources for women's Bible study and prayer. You may be interested in our super-saver printable Devotional Bible study and Prayer bundle. It also contains the licenses you need to use our studies in group settings.
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xx Karen.