Revised Standard Version is a rather literal version that usually translates Greek words using the same word in English in spite of the context; however, in the case of the term diakonia, there are four different words used in 2 Corinthians. The first occurrences (3.7, 8, 9) are rendered “dispensation,” but in other passages Revised Standard Version translates “ministry” (4.1; 5.18; 6.3), “relief” (8.4), “offering” (9.1), and “service” (9.12, 13). This variety clearly shows the different ways in which Paul uses the single Greek word.

In verses 7-11 Paul uses a form of argument used by the rabbis of his day: from the lesser to the greater. If such and such could be said concerning something relatively unimportant (the lesser), then how much more could such and such be said concerning the greater, or more important matter. The comparison in these verses is between the Law of Moses (the lesser) and the new covenant (the greater).

Verses 7 and 8 are one long and rather complicated sentence in Greek. Good News Translation restructures the sentence and breaks it up into two sentences, and places the “if” clause at the end of verse 7 rather than at the beginning. The word if will suggest doubt in some languages. To avoid giving the impression that Paul was expressing doubt about whether the Law came with such splendor, some translations may need to follow the example of Revised English Bible and Good News Translation, and state unequivocally that the Law did come with splendor.

Paul’s argument in these verses is based on the story in Exo 34.27-35 of Moses’ encounter with God on Mount Sinai. The dispensation of death refers to the Law which Moses received on Mount Sinai. Good News Translation translates the dispensation of death as “the Law, which brings death when it is in force.” Revised English Bible says “the ministry that brought death.” The translation “ministry” more accurately reflects the consistent terminology of the passage, since the term used here, diakonia, has the same root as the one rendered “ministers” in the previous verse. Some translators may prefer “the sentence of death” (Knox). An American Translation has “the religion of death.” But in many languages it will be better to use the term “law” instead of “ministry.”

On stone is literally plural, “on stones.” Paul is referring to the two stone tablets of the Law of Moses (see Exo 31.18). See 2 Cor. 3.3 above.

The Law of Moses came with such splendor. Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, and many other translations add the word such, which is not in the Greek. The remainder of this verse justifies the use of such in translation. Splendor is the word “glory” in Greek, which is used six times in this chapter alone (verses 8, 9, 10, 11, 18) as well as in 1.20. Here the focus is on the brightness or shining brilliance. Contemporary English Version concentrates more on the generally positive character of the giving of the Law rather than on the aspect of brilliance: “… given in such a wonderful way.” But this obscures the relationship between this statement and the next part of the verse, where the verb “shine” is used.

The Israelites is literally “the sons of Israel” but should probably be rendered “people of Israel” in most languages.

Though Revised Standard Version says that the Israelites could not look at Moses’ face, the Greek verb means “to look intently.” Good News Translation better captures the meaning: “could not keep their eyes fixed on him.” New Revised Standard Version says that they could not “gaze” at his face (so also Moffatt). Some other verb phrases used are “look steadily” (New International Version and New Jerusalem Bible) and “look for any length of time” (Barclay).

The word fading refers to the splendor of Moses’ face. Some may wish to translate “even though his [Moses’] glory [or, brightness] was diminishing [or, only lasted for a short time].”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellingworth, Paul. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .