Why 2 Corinthians 3:18 contradicts Sinai (Tanakh standard)
2 Corinthians 3:18 teaches a transformation “from glory to glory” through an unveiled, inward, spiritual experience that replaces the earlier “ministry” associated with Moses. This framework directly conflicts with what God revealed at Sinai in several decisive ways.
1) Sinai defines glory as revelation of Torah, not inner transformation
At Sinai, God’s glory is inseparable from law. The glory is not a mystical state but the public giving of commandments.
“From heaven He made you hear His voice… and on earth He showed you His great fire” (Deut 4:36).
Glory at Sinai = God speaking His law. Any concept of glory detached from commandments violates this definition.
2) Moses’ “veil” was never about fading glory
The Tanakh never says Moses’ glory was fading, inferior, or temporary. The radiance was a result of receiving Torah, not something to be surpassed.
“His face shone because he had spoken with the LORD” (Exod 34:29).
Recasting the veil as evidence of obsolescence rewrites the text.
3) Sinai forbids replacing external law with internalized substitutes
The Torah is explicitly not mystical or inaccessible.
“This commandment is not in heaven… the word is very near to you… that you may do it” (Deut 30:11–14).
Sinai rejects the idea that the covenant moves from concrete obedience to abstract spiritual experience.
4) Transformation in the Tanakh comes through obedience, not vision
The Tanakh teaches transformation through walking in God’s statutes, not beholding divine glory.
“You shall walk in all His ways” (Deut 10:12).
Ezekiel says renewal comes by returning to God’s laws, not by bypassing them (Ezek 18:21–23).
5) God’s glory is unchanging and not transferable
“I am the LORD… My glory I will not give to another” (Isaiah 42:8).
Any theology that speaks of believers being transformed into divine glory in a way that replaces Torah breaches this boundary.
6) Sinai rejects “progressive revelation” that supersedes Torah
God explicitly forbids adding or subtracting from what was revealed.
“You shall not add to the word… nor take from it” (Deut 4:2).
A “greater glory” that nullifies Sinai is forbidden by definition.
7) The covenant is eternal, not a stage to move beyond
“The children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath… an everlasting covenant” (Exod 31:16).
An eternal covenant cannot be eclipsed by a later spiritual paradigm.
8) The people heard God directly—no veil exists
Sinai is unique because the entire nation heard God.
“The LORD spoke to you face to face” (Deut 5:4).
The idea that Sinai was veiled or unclear contradicts the event itself.
9) The prophets never reinterpret Sinai as obsolete
Every prophet calls Israel back to Torah, never beyond it.
“To the Torah and to the testimony!” (Isaiah 8:20).
Any reading that diminishes Moses fails the prophetic test.
10) Sinai defines covenantal life as doing, not beholding
“Observe and do them, for this is your wisdom” (Deut 4:6).
The shift from obedience to contemplation undermines the covenant’s purpose.
Conclusion
Measured by the Tanakh, 2 Corinthians 3:18 violates Sinai by:
• redefining glory
• misrepresenting Moses
• spiritualizing obedience
• implying covenantal progression
• and diminishing the eternal Torah
Sinai allows no later framework that reframes God’s law as temporary, veiled, or surpassed.
“The word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)
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