complete verse (2 Corinthians 3:11)

Following are a number of back-translations of 2 Corinthians 3:11:

  • Uma: “For if the previous Promise that was only for a while was powerful, how much more powerful is the new Promise that remains forever.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “If God’s law of the/in the beginning was great but it was just passing, the new covenant of God which has no end is much greater.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “For if there was power of the former, and that former has been taken away, how much greater will be the power of the new, which cannot be taken away.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Because if that which was replaced had importance, even more-important is that which replaced it which will last forever.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Really, if God gave glory/praiseworthiness to that former (system) which in his determined-plan it would happen that it would be removed, is it not so that the glory/praiseworthiness of this new (system) which will never be removed is far superior?” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Now if the Law which was before was very greatly respected, and yet it didn’t last forever, then much overflowingly greater is this good news now, for it is forever.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)

Translation commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:11

As in verses 7-8 and 9, Paul uses the argument “from the lesser to the greater.” In verse 7 that which faded away was the splendor of Moses’ face. Here it is the whole ministry of the old covenant which faded away.

As in verses 7 and 9, if does not indicate doubt that what faded away came with splendor. Some languages may need to state “For since what faded away came with splendor….” Another way of handling this may be to begin this verse by saying “It is true that there was splendor with the matter that did not last long, but….”

What is permanent is parallel to the “dispensation of the Spirit” (3.8) and the “dispensation of righteousness” (3.9). Here it is contrasted with what faded away, which is parallel to “the dispensation of death” and “the dispensation of condemnation” which was given to Moses, whose glory was temporary. In some languages both of these veiled references to the Law and the New Covenant may have to be made explicit. What faded away may be translated “what was being annulled” (Anchor Bible). The whole verse may have to be rendered more explicitly, as in Contemporary English Version: “The Law was given with a glory that faded away. But the glory of the new agreement is much greater, because it will never fade away.”

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 .