The clearness and freedom of the Gospel as contrasted with the ohscurity of the Law. Vs. 12-18.
The apostle having referred to the transient brightness of Moses's face, as a symbol of the passing glory of his ministry, here employs the fact that Moses veiled his face as a twofold illustration. In the first place, it is symbolical of the obscuri- ty of the revelation made under the old dispensation. As the brightness of Moses's face was covered, so spiritual or evan- gelical truth was of old covered under the tyj^es and shadows of the Mosaic economy. In the second place, it is symbolical of the blindness which rested on the minds of the Jew^s, which prevented their seeing the true import of their o^^ti institu- tions, vs. 12-15. Nevertheless, as Moses removed the veil from his face when he turned to the Lord, so both the ob- scurity which rests on the law, and the blindness which rests upon the mind of the Jew, are dispelled when he turns towards Christ. The vision of his glory transforms the soul into his likeness, vs. 16-18.
12. Seeing tlien that we have such hope, we use "great plainness of speech.
Seeing then that we have such hope^ literally. Having then such hope^ i. e. because we have it. The hope to which he refers must be that mentioned in the context, v. 14, that the gospel and its ministry were, and would j)rove themselves to be, far superior to the law and to the ministry of Moses. What in V. 4 he calls TreTrot^r^o-t?, confidence^ he here calls eA.7rts, hope^ because the confidence which he felt had reference not only to the present, but also to the future. TFe tise great plainness of speech^ i. e. Trapprjata^ outspo/cenness. This stands opposed to all concealment, whether from timidity or from a desire to deceive ; and also to all fear of consequences. It is a frank, open, courageous manner of speech. Paul therefore says that in his case it was the result of his firm conviction of his divine mission and of tlie truth and glory of the gospel which he preached, that he proclaimed it fully, intelligibly, and with- out regard to consequences. Its being to the Greeks foolish- ness, and to the Jews a stumblingblock, did not prevent his declaring the whole counsel of God. The same cause will ever produce the same effect. If Paul's experience of the truth and excellence of the gospel led him to declare it with-