Central Passage: 2 Corinthians 3:18

BIBLE STUDY SECTION 1

1. Introduction/Brief Background

2 Corinthians 3:18 is carefully chosen to explain this topic in the light of Paul’s message to the church of God in Corinth. Paul came to this passage to distinguish between the ministry (and ministers) of the letter (the law) from the ministry (and ministers) of the Spirit. He needed to do this because other ministers were arising, taking pride in visible manifestations of God’s presence (glory) through their ministry of letters, with little or no evident life transformation (see 2 Cor. 3:1-3; 5:12, among others). Using Moses as an example of ministry (and ministers) of the letter, Paul acknowledged that ministry (and ministers) of the letter can be glorious; however, its evident manifestation of God’s glory did not translate into the transformation of lives. That’s because the people who saw the glory were veiled from personally seeing and perceiving the Lord. Consequently, the ministry that was intended to bring life to them brought death to many.

But we all, having been unveiled in face, beholding (showing) ourselves as in a mirror (mirrorizing oneself) the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image (likeness) from glory into glory just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

The essential message (or the major clause) in the above verse is that WE ALL ARE BEING TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS (IMAGE) 

Others are subordinate clauses that clarify who the “we all” include, what the “we all do” that engenders the transformation, how the “we all” are being transformed, and the worker (or the source) of the transformation. These are all very essential for delineating the topic. But this study starts with the main clause, which is the topic: BEING TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS.

WE ARE BEING TRANSFORMED INTO THE SAME IMAGE (THE IMAGE OF CHRIST)

The Greek word, translated as “being transformed,” is pithy. That word is metamorphoumeta (“μεταμορφούμεθα”). It is from the root word metamorphoo (“μεταμορφοw”), which means to transform, to transfigure or to change. It is interesting to note that this Greek word is the root of the English word “metamorphosis“, which means a fundamental and radical (or abrupt) change of nature or character, and which also affects appearance. It is a striking change in the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one.

Thus, Paul was saying, “We are being metamorphosed into Christlikeness.” In other words, we are being abruptly, radically, and fundamentally changed into the nature, character, and even the appearance of Christ.

Note that Paul didn’t say we are metamorphosed. But that we are being metamorphosed (a present continuous experience)

The implication of this is that the transformation Paul talked about is

1. A PROGRESSIVE TRANSFORMATION

Being like Christ is a daily, progressive, lifelong transformation. There is no other way to reflect Christ apart from this process of transformation. It means becoming like Christ is never an instant phenomenon. It takes all of life to grow in Christ-likeness.

None of us can outgrow this daily, progressive, and lifelong transformation (Romans 8:29). In fact, since this transformation is a lifelong process, the day it stops, apart from at death, one stagnates and starts to deteriorate. Those of us who are continually being transformed until death, there awaits another after death —Phil. 3:21

And there is a third implication: We are at different levels of transformation, so no one can judge another brother or sister before the appointed time (I Cor 4:5). However, all of us should pay attention to WHO WE ARE BECOMING. At the appointed time, the only thing that will matter is who we have become (like Christ or otherwise); not what we have done, not what we have gathered or possessed, not the positions we have occupied, not even the ministries we have done in the Lord’s name (Matthew 7:22-23) If you and I are not being transformed into His likeness, we risk experiencing the judgment of “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoer!”  So, while we cannot and should not judge you before the time, should you not judge yourself for timely alignment?

2. A PEOPLE-SPECIFIC TRANSFORMATION

This means not everyone is included in the “We all” that are being transformed.

Who were those Paul was referring to in 2 Corinthians 3:18?

WHO? 

But we all, having been unveiled in face (NIV 2011: Unveiled faces)  2 Cor 3:18a

The ones referred to in this passage were believers who have turned to the Lord. “Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (2 Cor 3:16)

Note: The passage did not read, ‘we all who have unveiled our faces…’ because we don’t have the capacity to unveil our faces; we cannot only further veil it. If one sees the glory of the Lord before turning to the Lord himself, he will veil his face.

Implication: Personal Turning to the Lord is the beginning of Transformation into Christlikeness. There is no hope for this kind of transformation until a man turns to the Lord.

Emphasis: Have you turned to the Lord, or do you continuously TURN TO THE LORD?

How should we turn to the Lord, or what does this really mean in practical terms? I will address this in Part 2 of this study, by the grace of God. Meanwhile, take this instruction to heart and carry it out however God’s Spirit gives you understanding at this time. The Lord’s instruction is “son, daughter, over that spiritual or emotional struggle, JUST TURN TO ME, AND YOU WILL BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE TRANSFORMATION.

3. A REFLECTIVE TRANSFORMATION

I find this also in 2 Cor 3:18a

…beholding (showing) ourselves as in a mirror (mirrorizing ourselves) the glory of the Lord,

The word used by Paul, katoptrizomenoi (“κατοπτριζόμενοι”), interpreted as “beholding as in a mirror (or glass),” “reflecting,” “shining,” or “contemplating,” is very graphic. It is a participle from the word katoptron (“κάτοπτρον”), which is a “mirror”, so katoprizo (“κατοπτρ-ίζω”) is to “mirror-ize” to show as in a mirror. Being in a middle participle word, it means “mirrorizing oneself”

What exactly was Paul trying to say here?

It is the NLT version that gets the message out most vividly:

2 Cor 3:18    And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord (NLT)

I found a simple definition of a mirror as an object that reflects an image.

But before a mirror reflects an image, listen to me read how a mirror works.

How A Mirror works:

1. Light interacts with the surface: 

When light strikes a mirror, it doesn’t pass through or get absorbed as it does with other objects. 

2. Law of Reflection: 

Instead, the light bounces off the mirror’s smooth, metallic surface according to the law of reflection. This law states that the angle of incidence (angle at which light hits the mirror) equals the angle of reflection (angle at which light bounces off the mirror).

3. Image formation: 

Because light reflects in a predictable, organised way, the reflected rays converge to form an image. This image is a reflection and appears to be located behind the mirror, even though no light is actually coming from that direction. (Google AI)

Interestingly, Greek doxa (glory) is also described as a manifestation of light, radiance, brightness, or splendour.

Implication: Transformation into Christ’s Likeness Begins with Being a Rightly Positioned Mirror

We are like a mirror. Our purpose is to reflect the image of Christ. But before we can reflect the image of Christ, we must position ourselves toward the glory of the Lord (the light of God’s Word) through contemplation or meditation. The first thing that the glory of the Lord does is to reveal our true selves. God’s glory reveals our true selves. We see ourselves as we truly are, only in the light of God’s Word. 

Emphasis: CONTEMPLATE (OR MEDITATE) UPON THE LORD’S GLORY (that is, think upon carefully and prayerfully the light of the knowledge of the Lord in the Scripture) for transformation into Christlikeness to ensue.

• INWARD BUT VISIBLE TRANSFORMATION

From glory to glory … with ever-increasing glory (that’s ever-increasing manifestation of light radiance, brightness and splendour of the Lord)… I will elaborate on this further in Part 2 of this study. The important truth to note here, meanwhile, is that transformation begins from within. Meanwhile, the inward transformation is visibly noticed.

Implication and Emphasis: The paths of those being transformed into Christlikeness shine brighter and brighter; our lives shine brighter and brighter, reflecting more clearly the image of Christ.

• SPIRIT-EMPOWERED TRANSFORMATION

Just as by the Lord, the Spirit… The Spirit of the Lord guides the light of the glory of the Lord in a predictable, organised way, causing it to converge in a way that creates the same image we are beholding or contemplating. As we submit to His guidance, our lives are transformed without fail. This transformation is spirit-empowered, spirit-led, spirit-guided. For what is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the Spirit is Spirit. It is impossible to pursue transformation to the likeness of Christ in the energy (or the motivation) of the flesh. 

Implication and Emphasis: Continue to submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as revealed through God’s Word, for a continuous transformation experience.

CONCLUSION

Now the highlight of the Lesson and emphasis (instruction) for those who are being transformed into Christ’s Likeness.

We have learned that BEING TRANSFORMED INTO CHRIST’S LIKENESS

IS

1. A PROGRESSIVE TRANSFORMATION

2. A PEOPLE-SPECIFIC TRANSFORMATION

3. A REFLECTIVE TRANSFORMATION

4. AN INWARD BUT VISIBLE TRANSFORMATION

5. A SPIRIT-EMPOWERED TRANSFORMATION

THEREFORE, YOU AND I, WHO MUST BE TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS, MUST ACCORDINGLY

1. CONTINUALLY TAKE HEED TO WHO WE ARE BECOMING

2. CONTINUALLY TURN TO THE LORD FOR UNVEILING OF OUR TRUE SELVES

3. POSITION OURSELVES AS A MIRROR, IN MEDITATION OR CONTEMPLATION ON GOD’S WORD

4. WATCH OUR PROGRESS IN EXEMPLIFYING THE LIFE OF CHRIST

5. REMAIN SUBMISSIVE TO THE GUIDANCE AND EMPOWERMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Part 2 of this study will delve into the practical sections of how to respond to these vital instructions for a continuous transformation experience into Christ’s likeness, through the topic: Modes, means and measures of TRANSFORMATION INTO CHRIST’S LIKENESS.

LOOK OUT FOR IT!

An Excerpt from Bible Study at NBTS Kononia service held on October 09, 2025

by Rev Adetola Ipadeola, PhD