LESSON 1:
The "key" to this verse is its central phrase
"the glory of the Lord."
No doubt about that!
The first half of the verse builds up to "the glory of the Lord"
... and the last half flows downward like a life-giving stream,
consequential to the Lord's awesome glory!
Originally Christianity was indeed Christ-centered! Theocentric
the scholars called it, God centered!
In so-called contemporary Christianity things have become more
man-centered! Anthropocentric!
God has been lowered some and man has been elevated a lot ... or
so it seems!
Well, our verse here in 2nd Corinthians 3:18 restores all that
to its original God designed position!
God first ... man last!
"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 real purpose of the Christian life is clearly stated: to
behold the glory and beauty and majesty of God!
Sounds like David, doesn't it? "One
thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my
life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his
temple." Psalm 27:4
And that, the glory of the Lord, is the only thing the Holy
Spirit will use to change us!
To change us into the image, the acquired image of Jesus Christ!
No, we do not become gods ... we are made or transformed into
the likeness of the character of God!
Paul says so in Romans 8:29. "For whom he
did foreknow, he also did predestinate
to be conformed to the
image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among
many brethren."
Amen!
To God be the Glory!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 2:
Paul's inspired present participle "beholding as in a glass" is
interesting.
Its location, 2nd Corinthians 3:18, says:
"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 object of our "beholding" obviously is "the glory of the
Lord!"
That's what Moses wanted to see you remember. In Exodus 33:18 he
prayed: "And he said, I beseech Thee, shew
me Thy glory." God immediately answered:
"I will make all my goodness pass before
thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and
will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy
on whom I will shew mercy." Exodus 33:18-19
Ezekiel literally saw this glory too! "As
the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of
rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round
about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the
glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my
face, and I heard a voice of one that spake." Ezekiel
1:28
But today, we see the glory of God in the Face of the Lord Jesus
Christ! At least that's what Peter teaches.
This even occurred at Jesus' Transfiguration.
"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made
known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God
the Father honour and
glory, when there came such a voice to him from the
excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased." 1st Peter 1:16-17
As we believers focus on the glory of the Lord, in Jesus Christ
... some precious things happen! Things this verse, 2nd
Corinthians 3:18, delineates.
But now that we've established the Object of our gaze, back to
our participle ... "beholding as in a glass."
"Katoptrizo" combines the intensive prefix "kata" and a form of
the verb which gives us our word ophthalmologist. To gaze ...
with wide open eyes ... at Something marvelous! What a
definition! Its being a present participle here means that it is
describing us ... as we focus on Jesus' glory! And that this
looking is a constant thing, a habit. Yes, linear on-going
action is being revealed. Furthermore, the middle voice in which
it is framed suggests taht as we look, we will be impacted,
influenced, overwhelmed!
This verbal is an hapax legomenon. It is found nowhere else in
all the Bible! That makes it quite special. The Holy
Spirit is here conveying unique Truth!
This whole expressing give new meaning to
"looking unto Jesus!" See Hebrews 12:2.
Or Colossians 3:1. "If ye then be risen
with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God."
Or Hebrews 3:1. "Wherefore, holy brethren,
partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High
Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus." The verb
"consider" (in Greek = "katanoeo") means to think deeply
or to ponder or meditate upon Him! Here it's an imperative too,
expressing an order or command from God!
Even at the Transfiguration we mentioned earlier, it is said of
Peter, Janes and John: "And when they had
lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only."
Matthew 17:8 and Mark 9:8
Jesus ... the glory of God!
Jesus ... Focus of our love and attention and praise and
adoration!
Jesus ... the Need of everyone's soul!
Jesus ... the Fulfillment of all our desires!
Jesus ... the Sustainer of the universe!
Jesus ... our All in All!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 3:
The verse we are studying is short. Yet it is pivotal!
In 2nd Corinthians 3:18 Paul writes: "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."
Note that we are said to behold the glory of the Lord
"with open face!"
The preposition "with" is indicated by the case of its object,
which is dative.
Then the noun "face" is translated by "prosopon" which means the
front of the head or the countenance as well as one's face. It
is a combined form of "ops," meaning "to look" ... and "pros,"
meaning "to or toward." Hence, "looking toward" someone or
facing them!
Looking unto Jesus!
The adjective "open" is interesting also. It is "anakulupto" and
fuses "ana" (which can reverse a word's meaning) and "krupto,"
meaning "to conceal" something! The word means "uncovered!" It
is similar to our borrowed English word apocalypse.
In 2nd Corinthians 3:14 Paul mentions "the same vail untaken
away." Here in "untaken away" we have "me" (no, not) plus "anakulupto"
(unveiled).
By our looking at Jesus' glory with "open face," Paul is
contrasting the dispensation of the Grace of God with that of
the Law. Moses compared to Jesus! Jesus is better, more
glorious! Read with me: "Seeing then
that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: and
not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the
children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that
which is abolished: but their minds were blinded: for until this
day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the
Old Testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But
even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their
heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail
shall be taken away."
Did you just notice that when folks "turn to the Lord" the veil
is removed and they can see His glory? That verb "turn" is "epistrepho"
and means "to twist or turn" ("strepho") upon or toward ("epi")
something or Someone!
Yes, it is possible today by means of the Holy Spirit and the
Word of God to look at Jesus with unveiled faces, with open
faces!
True, not like we shall some day see Him ... in person and
literally Face to face, but nonetheless still seeing the
outskirts of His Glory!
Enough to change us, praise the Lord!
Let us be as "open faced" as we possibly can when it comes to
Jesus and the glory of God!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 4:
Who can do this?
This "beholding" the glory of God?
"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." 2nd Corinthians 3:18
Moses longed to do so!
So did David!
And Paul!
But whom do we know that might have such privilege?
Our Text declares: "We all!"
That is, all we who are saved!
And even old sinners can be born again ... then they can adore
such a wonderful Saviour! Remember, "The
Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Luke 19:10
"But we all!"
The technical expression used here is "hemeis de pantes."
The "but," the Greek conjunction "de," means "to the contrary."
Paul has just mentioned a crowd that had not focused on the
glory of the Lord. They were blinded. They had veils over their
eyes.
BUT ... thank God!
BUT there are some who can see!
They once were blind, but now can see!
Paul himself is in that blessed group!
The Redeemed, Blood-Washed Born-Again children of God!
BUT we can behold Him ... partially now and fully when we get to
Glory!
Then let's consider the pronoun "we."
"Hemeis" in Greek is the nominative plural form of the personal
pronoun "ego." Paul is here including not just one Believer
somewhere who has this great opportunity! But WE all do!
Plural!
From the newest convert to the oldest saint!
By "we" the Apostle was including every one of the Christians
there by his side in that Roman prison ... to each of the
Believers who was a part of the Colossian Church at that time
... to each of us today who is truly saved!
"We" can behold the glory of the Lord!
Through the Word of God!
And by the ministry of the Holy Spirit ... Who points to that
Glory incessantly!
"We" are so privileged!
Then, to rest his powerful point ... Paul adds the word "all."
This adjective, "pas" in its basic form, means "every" one or
"each" one or the "whole" group! Nobody is omitted!
Each Christian we know is able, by God's power, to concentrate
and focus and dwell on the glory of the Lord!
I realize preaching on three monosyllables might be considered
trivial by some. But, when the subject is this important, the
"key" to the whole victorious Christian life, it is essential!
Put this conjunction, pronoun and adjective together now ... and
digest them with the rest of the verse. "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."
Now, let's savor that truth today!
If we practice this "beholding Christ Jesus" technique as a way
of life ... we will be so changed that ...!
I am forgetting!
The "changes" that are promised must be discussed another time!
But, of course, as you ponder the verse for yourself ... you and
the Holy Spirit, you will clearly see what I mean!
Then, Lord willing, we shall discuss it more tomorrow!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 5:
Now we come to the "effect" portion of this great verse. So far
we have only studied the "cause" side!
That's right!
We have a cause and effect sequence here.
It's a promise from God too!
I'll print the "cause" side in red ... then the "effect" portion
in blue, to better illustrate what I mean.
"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 Believer in Jesus, if he or she maintains an "open face" and
obediently consistently "beholds" the glory of the Lord ... then
some things are said to occur!
That person will be "changed!"
This verse is saying that one can't look long at Jesus without
being dramatically impacted or influenced or absolutely altered
... for the better!
The word the Holy Spirit directed Paul to use is "metamorphoo."
In the passive voice as used here it means "to be transformed!"
Or "to be transfigured!" Or even "to be altered into another
form!"
If one should concentrate on the Glory of the Lord, as if It
were a mirror or looking glass, the brightness and essence of
that Sight would eventually overwhelm him and fashion him more
and more into a godly maturing Christian!
But let's take a minute and carefully study how the Holy Spirit
uses this verb for "changed." Four instances are available for
us in the New Testament, two dealing with the "Transfiguration"
of Jesus!
Matthew 17:2 ---
"And (Jesus) was
transfigured before them: and His Face did shine as the
sun, and His raiment was white as the light."
Mark 9:2 --- "And after
six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and
John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by
themselves: and he was
transfigured before them."
Then go to 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."
The first two instances involve the
miraculous bodily changes that were pronounced upon Jesus by His
Father at His Transfiguration, revealing to us all the Glory and
Honor which have eternally been His! He is God!
Then the third instance impacts our
minds! Here is mental or cognitive change that is made
possible by the power of the Word of God when energized by the
Holy Spirit!
Physical, then mental ... now
here in our current Text, the spiritual life is included
also!
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."
As we can see by the four verses surveyed, "metamorphoo"
can involve either outward visible change ... or inward
intrinsic change, or both!
The etymology dictionaries say "metamorphoo,"
which in Greek is just the prefix "meta" plus the stem "morphe,"
actually signifies a "change of form" in a given object or
person!
Our key verb here is also a present
passive in the indicative voice. What is being taught us
is fact! It will happen if we meet the criteria! And it is an
on-going process! We keep beholding Christ's Glory ... and then
we are continually transformed in that submissive process!
One more thing ... in science the "change"
from a worm (caterpillar or larva) to a cocoon (chrysalis or
pupa) to a beautiful butterfly (then a moth) is called, as you
well know, metamorphosis!
Here we have a beautiful Bible illustration
placed in the world of nature by the Lord God Almighty, our
Creator!
Changed!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 6:
The "change" that takes place in a
Christian's life, the "metamorphosis" that occurs when we more
and more behold our Lord's Glory, is a distinct and concrete
thing.
Paul the Apostle, under Holy Spirit guidance,
writes: "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." 2nd Corinthians 3:18
Notice the words I've capitalized.
We are powerfully changed into "the same
image" as Christ!
I would never be so bold as to assert that
fact ... apart from the authority and clear teaching of the Word
of God!
This is overwhelming in its implications!
The noun "icon" here is spelled in Greek "eikon."
It means a "likeness" of something or someone. It is used 23
times in the Bible.
In Matthew 22:20 Jesus used the word. Looking
at a Roman coin, He asked: "Whose is
this image
and superscription?" This verse alone gives you an
accurate assessment of the word "icon." It is like the very
character of Christ is stamped on us ... as we concentrate on
His Glory!
And just in case you're having trouble with
this concept, read Romans 8:29 again. "For
whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Amazing! We are all some day going to be likened to the image of
Jesus!
Elsewhere, when teaching about head coverings
in 1st Corinthians 11, Paul said that man is now ... "the image
and glory of God!" Here's the verse: "For
a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he
is the image and
glory of God."
So also is Christ said to be the Image of
God! "In whom the god of this world hath
blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of
the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the
image of God,
should shine unto them." 2nd Corinthians 4:4 and
Colossians 1:15
Here's another way Paul worded our becoming
like Christ Jesus. "And have put on the
new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the
image of him that
created him." Colossians 3:10
And there is a difference between a mere
shadow and an image! The latter is more distinct than the former
obviously. "For the law having a shadow of
good things to come, and not the very
image of the
things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year
by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect."
Hebrews 10:1
One lexicon says that "eikon" includes more
than just "likeness," but also "representation" and
"manifestation!"
This certainly gives a whole new meaning to
the old song: "Let others see Jesus in you!"
Or maybe even more the hymn Fanny Crosby
wrote: "More Like Jesus I Would Be!"
More like Jesus would I be, let my Savior
dwell with me;
Fill my soul with peace and love—make me gentle as a dove;
More like Jesus, while I go, pilgrim in this world below;
Poor in spirit would I be; let my Savior dwell in me.
If He hears the raven’s cry, if His ever
watchful eye
Marks the sparrows when they fall, surely He will hear my
call:
He will teach me how to live, all my sinful thoughts forgive;
Pure in heart I still would be—let my Savior dwell in me.
More like Jesus when I pray, more like Jesus
day by day,
May I rest me by His side, where the tranquil waters glide.
Born of Him through grace renewed, by His love my will
subdued,
Rich in faith I still would be—let my Savior dwell in me.
Amen!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 7:
The Bible has a lot to say about spiritual
growth.
The new-born Christian is but an infant in
his new life! He or she needs the "milk" of the Word and much
special care and encouragement.
But ... as time passes and the Holy Spirit
works in our lives, we all indeed grow in the Lord!
As "proof" let me cite a few verses:
1st Peter 2:2 --- "As
newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may
grow thereby."
Proverbs 4:18 --- "But
the path of the just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
2nd Peter 3:18 --- "But
grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for
ever. Amen."
1st John 3:13 --- "I
write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is
from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye
have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children,
because ye have known the Father."
Our Text verse even "hints" at such spiritual
growth. "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." 2nd Corinthians 3:18
Look at the words "from
glory to glory."
The implication is that the Lord's ineffable
and unapproachable Glory shines so brightly ... that we can only
sense it and understand it and comprehend it and reflect it and
be changed by it ... incrementally! A little bit at a time! In
steps or degrees!
And then finally, when we shall see Him at
His next Appearing, we shall be ... "like Him!"
"We know that, when He
shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He
is." 1st John 3:2
Such gradations of spiritual growth are
expressed in Scripture in clear terms.
And our "glory to
glory" phrase here is one of them.
For example, here is a "faith to faith"
statement. "For therein is the
righteousness of God revealed from
faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Romans
1:17
And here's how Peter put it:
"And beside this, giving all diligence,
add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to
knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to
patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and
abound, they make you that ye shall neither be
barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ." See the growth here in 2nd Peter 1:5-8
Paul: "But the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no
law." Galatians 5:22-23
Even James describes this growth:
"My brethren, count it all joy when ye
fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the
trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have
her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing." James 1:2-4
Folks, keep looking at Jesus!
Concentrate on His awesome Glory!
If we do that ... we shall be changed!
From glory ... to glory ... to glory ... to
glory ... to glory ... until some great day we shall be morphed
into His very image!
(I am NOT saying we become gods! I am saying
we shall be made like unto Jesus, reflecting His glory and
character!)
Only one thing remains to be said: glory!
Glory to God!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 8:
The last phrase in the verse reveals the
Power Source behind this whole transformation!
I will capitalize the words we are discussing
today.
2nd 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."
The Holy Spirit is the Impetus behind this
dramatic change!
The conjunction that is rendered "even as" is
spelled "kathaper" and is only found 13 times in the whole New
Testament! That's quite unusual for a conjunction! It is an
"emphatic marker of comparison" says one Greek Lexicon. It means
"just exactly as," yet is a subordinating conjunction! The Holy
Spirit has again placed Himself in a position subservient to
That of Christ Jesus! Listen to Jesus in John 16:13 ---
"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is
come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak
of himself ...." Then, of Whom does He speak? The next
verse tells us. "He shall glorify Me"
says Jesus!
We've just discovered a point of doctrine in
a conjunction!
Now the preposition "by" translates "apo."
This term literally means "out of" ... as if the Holy Spirit
gives of Himself to make this dramatic change possible! At least
that's what the grammar textbooks teach. Yet the Holy Spirit's
potential filling of every true Christian does not
diminish His capacity one iota! He is still fully God and fully
Holy Spirit!
And the Name "Spirit of the Lord" is of
course the inspired Designation for God the Holy Ghost, the
Third Person of the blessed Trinity!
Here the Holy Spirit, Who is omnipotent,
being God ... chooses to transform us not by an arbitrary
miracle or some independent means, but by (and only by) our
beholding and admiring and adoring the glory of the Lord Jesus!
This could be said, knowing human nature as
presented in the Bible, the only way anyone ... born-again
saints included ... can ever behold the glory of the Lord
constantly and incessantly is through the motivating Power of
the Holy Spirit!
He always points us to Jesus!
Of course the Godhead works so uniformly and
perfectly that it is hard to tell sometimes just Who is
precisely at work in a given situation ... God the Father, God
the Son or God the Holy Spirit.
After all, He is one God!
THE
only One!
Any way metamorphosis is studied, spiritually
as it concerns the Believer in Christ or scientifically as it
concerns a little caterpillar ... one is compelled to admit
there is a power behind such astounding change that is
absolutely awesome!
Let us today thank God for many things ...
His Glory being among them!
His life changing Glory!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
