"If the keyword in vv. 7-11 is glory,' the keyword for vv. 12-18, of which vv. 12-15 form the first part, is veil'; veil'-related words occur six times in these verses."128
3:12 The hope to which Paul referred was the confidence that he and the other apostles and Christians served God under a covenant that God would not supersede.129The "boldness"(Gr. parrhesia) to which Paul referred is plainness of speech that has within it our concept of fearlessness (7:4; cf. Rom. 1:16). This word originally meant fearless candor in speech but came to mean confidence or openness in action as well as in word.130We can be confident and certain in our mission as well as in our message, though here Paul was speaking specifically of his speech.
3:13 One meaning of parrhesia("boldness") is barefacedness. Paul could be barefaced in his confidence because of the permanent character of the covenant under which he ministered. Moses, in contrast, could not. He ministered with a literal veil over his face much of the time (Exod. 34:29-35). He removed the veil when he spoke with the people (Exod. 34:33) and when he spoke with God in the tabernacle. He wore it at other times evidently to teach the Israelites' their unworthiness to behold God's glory. Paul used this difference in ministry to illustrate the superior nature of the New Covenant.
Moses also put a veil over his face so the departure of the fading glory that he had received would not discourage the Israelites. The Old Testament does not say that was his reason. It implies that Moses covered his face so the Israelites would not see the glory that was there. Perhaps Paul meant that the consequence of Moses' putting the veil over his face was that the Israelites could not see the fading of his facial glory.131Paul's implication then was that Christians can behold God's glory more fully in the New Covenant, and it will not fade away.
3:14-15 Paul said inability to perceive God's revealed glory persists to the present day among the Israelites (cf. Rom. 11:7).
"The Israelites' inability to see the glory shining from Moses' face, fading though that glory was, is treated as a parable of their descendants' present inability to realize the transitory character of the Mosaic order and to recognize the unfading glory of the gospel dispensation."132
"This is always the result of refusing and suppressing the revelation of divine truth. A veil of intellectual darkness hides the glory which has been deliberately rejected."133
The "Old Covenant"(v. 14) probably refers to the Mosaic Law, and "Moses"(v. 15) probably refers to the whole Old Testament.134
3:16 Only when the light of the glory of God shines on a person from Jesus Christ (i.e., he or she perceives the gospel) can that individual fully understand that revelation. Before God removes that veil that person cannot perceive it clearly. This applies to all people, but in the context Paul was speaking of Jews particularly. Whenever a person comprehends that Jesus Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Law (Rom. 10:4), that one then understands that the dispensation of grace has superseded the dispensation of the law (John 1:17).135"Turns to the Lord"means conversion to Jesus Christ.
3:17 This verse explains the former one. The Holy Spirit (vv. 3, 6, 8) is the member of the Trinity who causes a person to understand and believe that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law. Paul here described the Spirit's function and equated Him with Christ (cf. v. 14). Believing in Jesus liberates one from sin, death, and the Mosaic Law but not from obligation to respond obediently to God's new revelation in Christ, of course. Even though the Spirit is Lord, His presence liberates the believer rather than enslaving him or her (cf. Rom. 8:15).
3:18 In conclusion, Paul referred to Christian experience generally. All Christians, not just the Israelites' leader Moses, experience transformation daily as we contemplate the glory of God revealed in His Word and especially in the living Word, Jesus Christ. The perception of that revelation is still indirect. Paul's point was that the image of God that we see in the Word accurately reflects God though we do not yet see God Himself. What we see in the mirror of God's Word is the Lord, not ourselves. We experience gradual transformation. As we observe Christ's glory we advance in Christlikeness and reflect His glory, not in our faces but in our characters (cf. 2 Pet. 3:18). This glory will not fade but will increase over time providing we continue to contemplate the Lord. The Spirit who is the Lord is responsible for this gradual transformation.136
". . . Paul may also have in mind the Semitic idiom in which to uncover the face (head)' means to behave boldly (frankly).' If so, then with unveiled face' has practically the same meaning as with boldness' (Gk parrhesia) and may help to explain Paul's use of the latter expression in verse 12."137
