We are Changed with Open Face Beholding 2 Corinthians 3:18

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”, and in chapter three and verse eighteen of Second Corinthians, Paul shares how he, his companions and the church members are, “with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord”, where we read:

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The verse begins, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, ” Paul began with the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “we all” which refers to “each, every, the whole and everyone of his companions, the church members and himself”,“with open face” which means “with an unveiled and uncovered front of the human head and countenance” “beholding as in a glass” or “to show or look at in a mirror” “the glory” or “the opinion, judgment, view, estimate, splendor, brightness, honor and magnificence” “of the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. Paul referred to the way he, his companions and the church members are all “looking” into a “mirror” like image which holds the “glory” of the Lord.

The verse goes on to say, “are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Paul continued with the words, “are changed” or “are transformed or transfigured” “into the same image” which refers to “into the selfsame likeness or figure” “from glory” which means “separated of a part of from the whole” “to glory” or “opinion, judgment, view, estimate, splendor, brightness, honor and magnificence”, “even as” which means “in the similar and like fashion” “by the Spirit” or “through the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Son” “of the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”. Paul shared how he, his companions and the church members little by little are “transformed” by God's Spirit into “the Lord's image”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how the transformation of a person to become like Jesus progresses a little at a time. People who have given their lives to Jesus Christ are slowly being “changed” from one state of “glory” to another, and the ultimate state is to be like Jesus. As they “behold” Jesus and keep transfixed upon Him, they become more and more like Him every day, and those who are wise shall keep themselves “looking unto Jesus” and remember the Psalmist David's words, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:15)

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Paul declare, “seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not” so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.