ACC ~ 2 Corinthians 3 v13

MOSES’ VEILED FACE. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul is saying that there is no need for us to cover ourselves as Moses did, for we are able to look at the glory with which we are encircled, even though it is far brighter than the other one. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 7.2.

THE END OF SPLENDOR. THEODORET OF CYR: Paul says that the law was fading away, by which he means that it was coming to an end in Christ, whose coming was foretold by the law. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 305.

THE WITNESS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. AUGUSTINE: The truth is that the Old Testament of Mount Sinai, “producing children of slavery,” now serves no purpose but to bear witness to the New. Otherwise, the words of St. Paul would not be true: “Yes, down to this very day when Moses is read, the veil covers their hearts”; but when any of them turn from the Old Testament to Christ, “the veil shall be taken away.”What happens is that the deepest aspirations of those who make the change are shifted from the Old Testament to the New, whereupon they begin to look for spiritual—rather than earthly—happiness. CITY OF GOD 17.7.

THE TEARING OF THE VEIL. AUGUSTINE: Doubtless, there is a veil in the Old Testament, which will be removed as soon as one comes to Christ. At his crucifixion, “the veil of the temple was torn,” to signify what the apostle said about the veil of the Old Testament, “Because in Christ it is made void.” LETTER 140, TO HONORATUS 10.

THE NEW CLARIFIES THE OLD. AUGUSTINE: It is not the Old Testament that is done away with in Christ but the concealing veil, so that it may be understood through Christ. That is, as it were, laid bare, which without Christ is hidden and obscure. The same apostle adds immediately: “When you shall turn to Christ, the veil shall be taken away.” He does not say: “The law or the Old Testament will be taken away.” It is not the case, therefore, that by the grace of the Lord that which was covered has been abolished as useless; rather the covering has been removed which concealed useful truth. This is what happens to those who earnestly and piously, not proudly and wickedly, seek the sense of the Scriptures. To them is carefully demonstrated the order of events, the reasons for words and deeds and the agreement of the Old Testament with the New, so that not a point remains where there is not complete harmony; and such secret truths are conveyed in figures. When they are brought to light by interpretation, they compel those who wished to condemn rather than to learn. THE USEFULNESS OF BELIEF 3.9.

2 Cor