July 22, 2025 - 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "Changed from Glory to Glory"

2 Corinthians 3:18

"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."

In this passage, the Spirit of God, through the writing of the apostle Paul, reveals the gracious and sovereign work of God in the life of the believer—a life transformed by divine grace. This transformation is not something we initiate or accomplish, nor is it an attempt to perfect the depraved flesh. Rather, it is the gracious state of new life given by the Spirit to each one for whom Christ died. Through the finished work of the LORD Jesus and the power of the Spirit, the redeemed and justified child of God is made to grow in the light of the glory of the LORD Jesus—not by striving, but by beholding His glory. This is not a path of self-improvement, but of God’s ongoing, Spirit-driven work, rooted in His mercy and grace, and aimed entirely at the glory of His Son.

What is the Glory of which the apostle Paul writes? 

But we all with open face: no longer veiled in types and pictures but the very Glory of God as revealed in the LORD Jesus Christ, through His finished work at Calvary. 

Beholding in a glass: the fulfilled and revealed Word of God concerning Christ in the Gospel [to behold continually for oneself and not through the veil of the Old Testament prophecies that had yet to be fulfilled before Christ came and accomplished salvation]. 

The Glory of the LORD: specifically Jesus Christ, manifest in the flesh, as the Redeemer, Reconciler and Justifier of God's elect; "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:17-18). 

Changed into the same image: [metamorphosed] not that our flesh is being changed, for it is as sinful as it ever has been. Rather, by the Spirit of grace, the mind and heart are conformed (brought into subjection) to the very image or revelation of Christ as revealed in the Gospel. To grow in grace is to grow in the knowledge of the LORD Jesus and His glory as revealed in the Scriptures and all that HE is and has accomplished for the salvation of His people by His death on the cross.  

    The growth in Grace is a growth in perception of Who Christ is, what He did to save His people, and how He is God's Satisfaction and therefore ours.  This must be referring to the change of our heart, mind and will in submission to Him (as is used in Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God), and not any inherent change into sinless perfection. Holiness has no degrees. We are either holy or not, and that is only by HIS imputed righteousness, Hebrews 10:10-14. I do, however, change in my perception of Him, knowledge of Him and therefore willing submission to Him, as He is pleased to teach me, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (2 Corinthians 10:5).  

     Another word, closely related to this is REPENTANCE. Those who have so learned Christ by the Spirit of God are brought to continual repentance about themselves and His Person and work, by the renewing of the mind and heart. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). The fact that we need this continual 'renewing' of the mind is an indication that there is no progression in holiness but a constant need of repentance as we contemplate HIS glory and marvel that HE should be merciful to sinners such as we are. 

From glory to glory: from the first revelation of His glory at regeneration, unto eternal [endless] glory (when we will be truly like Him in a glorified sinless state). Until then, we continue to reflect on His glory as revealed in the Gospel, the glory of His perfect Person and absolute substitution and satisfaction before the Holy God, in Whose righteousness we stand complete (nothing to be added) and kept until that final day of our bodily redemption and glorification, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:" (1 Corinthians 1:30).    

May we who are the LORD'S rest in the wonder of God's saving grace in Christ, His grace that not only justifies but transforms. This transformation is not the result of human effort or religious performance; it is the Spirit’s work in those whom Christ has redeemed, drawing them into deeper conformity to Christ as He is revealed throughout the Scriptures. We behold the glory of the risen Christ with unveiled faces, not because we have made ourselves worthy, but because God, in His mercy, has unveiled our hearts and opened our eyes to His Son.

Paul’s language of being "changed from glory to glory" reflects a covenantal shift—the passing away of the old covenant with its fading glory and the full unveiling of the new covenant in Christ, Whose glory does not fade. The transformation, then, is not merely personal but redemptive and historical. The early church was witnessing the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ: the dawning of the kingdom, the revelation of His righteousness, and the permanent indwelling of the Spirit. In that light, our being changed from glory to glory is both the ongoing effectual work of the Spirit and the historical outworking of God's purpose of redemption, accomplished in Christ and applied by sovereign grace.

All who are the LORD's have this hope in them, not trusting in any personal experience, or self-effort, but in the God Who is faithful to complete the work He has begun, continually conforming us to Christ, for the glory of Christ—all by His grace, and all for His glory.