The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 79

V. THE VEIL IS REMOVED AS WE TURN TO THE LoRD. (Ver.-16.) When the Jew, led by the Spirit, believed on Christ, the veil, which had obscured his vision of the old covenant, and which had thus ~rvert;ed his being and life, was removed. He saw then the true significance of the old economy, and perceived ihat Christ in his own person and work, constituted the very fulfilment of the Law. Old thincrs 'passed away, all things beca.me new. The veil is destroyed for ever as we come to Christ. The apostle has, no doubt, in his mind the action of Moses: "When Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he took the veil off" (Exod. xxxiv. 34). Our turning to the Lord is a sign that the veil is rent in twain like the veil of the temple, and as we reach the Lord and are taught by the Divine Spirit, the veil vanishes, obscurity gives place to brightness, and we marvel that we ever could have been as we once were. ,vhen Moses ea.me out from the presence of the Lord he again assumed the. veil, but he is not here an example to us; for we a.re not to come out a.gain, but to abide with Christ, to be "for ever with the Lord."-H. ' ' • Ver. 18.-fle great change. I. Wr,.AT THIS CHANGE 1s. Into the Divine likeness. Thii:, which was lost through the Fall, is recovered in the gospel. Believers become like Christ, who is the Brightness of the Father's glory, and the express Imacre of his person (Heb. i. 3). The change is not merely of opinion, or feeling, or even "conduct, but a change of being. It is not something connected with ourselves, but our very selves which are changed, and changed so as to be like Christ. 1. A marvellous change. For before men believe, they are singularly unlike Christ. By nature like Satan ; by grace like Christ. 2. An all-desirable change. For ennoblement, peace, joy, 1U1efulness. ll THE MANNER OF THE CHANGE. It follows upon turning to the Lord (ver. 16). As Moses, standing before God, was singularly changed in countenance, so that his face reflected the Divine glory, so we are changed as we are _turned towards Christ, as we turn towards him in penitence and faith and in desire to be his. The figure of a mirror is employed. 1. We may read "reflecting as a mirror," and theu the idea conveyed will be that, as Christ shines upon us, .as he acts upon us, we become changed. Or: 2. If we read "beholding as in a mirror," the thought will be that, as we gaze upon Christ as be is reflected in the mirror of the gospel, we become like him. Both thoughts are correct, though it is by the Divine actiou we are changed, our looking upon Christ being only the means by which the Divine aqtion rea.ches us. IIL A SPECUL FEATURE OF THE ORANGE,. Progressive-" from glory to glory." The change is often gradual. There is a great. fundamental change at convarsion. A con- dition of "glory" is reached, but there i, a glory beyond thjs. We "grow in grace." .At first we are "babes in Christ," but we develop into the stature of perfect men in him (Eph. iv. 13). Conversion is but the first stage. Many seem to think that it is the final one. Justification is enough for. them ; sanctification is not in their thoughts. But this is not the salvation of Christ. We are saved for holiness~ for usefulness, for the service of God, and as continuously we p:aze upon Christ iu faith, and as his power falls upon us, we p&Bs into a further "glory.'' IV. .A CONDITION OF THE CBANGE, Our face unveiled. And here face stands for heart. The veil occasioned by the old enmity, by prejudice, by misconception, by i~norance, must be removed. This will be so with all who in sincerity turn to the Lord. "When it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away" (ver. 16). 'l'ho more completely our face is unveiled the more rapidly shall we pass from" glory w glory." We should strive to r~move all that is likely to hinder our de_velop_ment in~o the likeness of Chriet. Anythmg that comes between ourselves and him will do this. H.,art-veils are of very various patterns. V. THE STRIKING USEFULNESS OF THE OH ANGE, Adopting the reading "reflecting as a mirror," we see that: 1. Those who tum to the Lord reflect the glory of the Lord. 'l'hey show forth Christ. Men take knowledge of them that they have been with. Jesus. They reflect the redemptive glory of Christ.. They exemplify the power of his salvation. 'l'hey are monuments upon which is inscribed "Christ, and him crucified." They reflect the love of Christ in Christian activity. Having been saved themselves, they desire the salvation of all around them. What a thought, that we may reflect Christ ! 2. As they seek to reflect Christ the change progresses. It is when we are diligent in the llfas:er's busine.<;&, when we consor.rate ourselves to him, when we strive oa. m. 1-18.J 'l'HE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORIN'£HIANS. i9