“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.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul reminds believers that we are to be “followers of God,” (Eph. 5:1). The word “followers” here means “to mimic or imitate.” As children of God, we are called to imitate our heavenly Father. And the more we know him and know about him, the more we can model and mirror his characteristics. But how, exactly, do we best imitate him? Our text explains, by “beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory.” And as Bernard said, by “the glass is meant the Gospel.”[1]
An antiquated use of the term “glass” referred to a mirror used to see one’s reflection. But in our text Paul uses the term to show how the Gospel of Jesus Christ particularly, as well as the entire body of Scripture at large, provide the best reflection of the Godhead – the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit – available this side of heaven. Scripture brings these truths that are far off near through the eye of faith.
The Gospel (the Scriptures) show us mysteries that without which we could not see nor have the least knowledge of. Such mysteries include the creation of the world in six days, the reason God set his covenant bow in the cloud, the glorious attributes of God, the conception, birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and present intercessory work of Christ, as well as God’s Law and directives for the sacraments and instituted worship.
Scripture also informs us about the fall and its devastating effects on the world in general and mankind in particular. This Gospel plainly depicts what man is without Christ – how wretched, blind, naked, deformed, and polluted with sin he is until the Spirit arrests him by the work of Jesus. And how happy, adorned, beautiful, and glorious he becomes after experiencing redemption, being conformed to the image of Christ!
So the Word of God is absolutely essential for Christians to look into who would adorn themselves with the ornaments of grace that they may be clothed in the righteousness of Christ, acceptable in the sight of God. Because when we “behold the Gospel with an open face,” as one resolved by the help of the Spirit to see what may be found in it, we discover not only the glory, image, and representation of God… but we also find that the more we look into this “glass” of his Word to see his glory, the more we ourselves are transformed into his image “from glory to glory!”
Contemplations:
- Lord, all true Christians need to take delight in beholding your Word daily through reading and meditation: “Blessed is the man whose delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in his Law he meditates both night and day.” May it be that I do so.
- Why do I look into the Gospel of Jesus Christ day after day, and meditate on it day and night? So that I have a clear image of You in your glorious attributes and perfections. Because only when I consistently observe your reflection in the Scripture with an “open face” and by the help of the Spirit can I be transformed into your image.
- Lord, those who take only a transient look into your Word may be somewhat troubled over their sinful condition for a while. But by not putting into practice what they hear, they return to their former course, forgetting what a miserable wretch they are. This is why James tells us not to forget what we see after looking into the mirror of your Word.
- Lord, help me look into your Word daily to behold your glory, that I may see you ever more clearly and follow (that is, imitate) you ever more closely.
Further References for 2 Cor. 3:18:
1 Cor. 13:12; 2 Cor. 4:4; John 17:24; James 1:23
[1] Thomas De Laune, Tropologia, (London: John Richardson and John Darby, 1681), 63.
