The verse 2 Corinthians 3:18 states “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” This verse points to the immense significance and meaning behind having an unveiled face before God.
Historical Context of Veils in Corinth
To properly understand this verse, we first need to examine the historical and cultural context around veils at the time Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians. In ancient Greek and Roman culture, respectable women wore veils in public as a sign of modesty and submission. This was a common practice in the city of Corinth. However, some pagan priests and prostitutes did not wear veils, which led to it becoming a sign of immodesty and rebellion. The veil was deeply intertwined with cultural views around gender, modesty, and morality.
As Christianity spread, early churches had to grapple with how much of the surrounding culture to adopt. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul provides guidance on the use of head coverings and veils for men and women during worship. He appeals to tradition, theology, and nature to argue that women should have their heads covered while men should not. This shows the veil still held cultural significance in the early church.
Paul’s Metaphor of the Veil
In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul uses the concept of the veil metaphorically. He compares Moses wearing a veil over his face after encountering God’s glory (Exodus 34:29-35) to a spiritual veil over the hearts and minds of those who read the Old Testament law but do not embrace Christ. Just as Moses’ veil prevented the Israelites from seeing the fading glory on his face, Paul argues unbelievers have a similar veil preventing them from seeing the glory and true meaning of the old covenant.
For those who turn to Christ, this veil is removed. As 2 Corinthians 3:16 states “But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” Paul is making a theological point by using the culturally significant image of the veil – that only through Christ can the full glory of God be revealed and understood.
Significance of an Unveiled Face
So what does it mean to have an unveiled face before God? Paul uses the metaphor of an unveiled face in verse 18 to convey several important truths:
1. Intimacy with God: In ancient Near Eastern culture, commoners and lower class individuals were required to cover their faces before kings and people of high rank. Only close friends and advisors were allowed to be unveiled in a ruler’s presence. Therefore, Paul’s image of beholding God unveiled implies the ability to intimately know and relate to God without any barriers.
2. Unhindered spiritual sight: Without a veil covering our faces, we can openly see, understand, and grasp the glory of God. Veils obstruct and blur vision. So an unveiled face represents having clear spiritual sight and perception of who God is.
3. Reflecting God’s glory: As we boldly gaze at Christ with uncovered faces, we are transformed and begin reflecting his character and glory more and more. Just as our faces mirror and reveal who we are, our faces can mirror the radiance and beauty of Christ as we come to know him more deeply.
4. Freedom in Christ: In Greco-Roman society, head coverings represented submission, concealment, and lower social status. An unveiled face before God conveys the idea of freedom, openness, and intimacy with God. The veil that once separated us from seeing God’s glory has been removed through faith in Jesus!
Unveiling Happens Through Spiritual Sight, Not Physical Sight
It is important to clarify that this “unveiled face” is not referring to a physical veil removed from our actual faces. Paul is speaking metaphorically about the spiritual ability to clearly perceive, understand, and be changed by seeing God’s glory. Just as Moses’ veil prevented the Israelites from fully grasping the glory emanating from his face, unbelievers have invisible blinders that prevent them from seeing Christ’s glory despite having physical eyes to see.
Our “unveiled faces” represent our minds, hearts, and spirits – the inner faculties that allow us to spiritually see, savor, and be transformed by the glory of God manifest in Christ. Some believers did wear physical head coverings during worship according to 1 Corinthians 11. But Paul is concerned here with internal, spiritual sight – whether or not our inner being has been unveiled to truly behold God’s presence and beauty.
Beholding Leads to Becoming
A key truth emphasized in this verse is that we are transformed by beholding God’s glory. As we fix our unveiled spiritual gaze upon the radiant glory of Christ, we are progressively changed into his image, reflecting more of his character.
Just as Moses’ face shone from being in God’s presence, the more we behold Christ’s glory, the more we are conformed to his likeness and the more his love and light shine through us. We reflect what we focus on. That is why maintaining an unveiled face before God is so vital for our sanctification. The work of being made more like Christ as we see him is ongoing, happening in increasing measures of glory.
Application for Believers Today
What does this mean practically for believers today? Here are a few key applications:
– Regularly seek intimate, unhindered time gazing at the glory of God in Scripture and prayer. Ask God to unveil your spiritual eyes more to behold Christ.
– Reflect on passages about Christ’s life, death, resurrection, exaltation, and second coming to behold his glory. Studying prophecies and symbols in the Old Testament can also reveal his glory.
– Ask the Holy Spirit to give you deeper spiritual sight of God’s majesty, wisdom, love, purity, and power. Pray for greater glimpses of his glory.
– Look to Christ as you make daily decisions to reflect God’s desires and character to the world. The indwelling Spirit transforms us as we continually focus on and imitate Christ.
– Remember that others still need the “veil” removed from their hearts and minds to see God’s glory. Graciously share Christ as the One who frees us to see God clearly and be changed.
Conclusion
Having an unveiled face represents the intimate, unobstructed spiritual sight of God possible through Christ. As we fix the eyes of our heart on knowing Jesus, we are progressively changed to reflect his glory to a world still blinded by the veil only He can remove. May God give us grace to earnestly pursue an unveiled face before Him!