2 Corinthians 3:12 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

That we have such hope,— That St. Paul, by these words, means the honourable employment of an apostle and minister of the gospel, or the glory belongingto his ministryin the gospel, is evident from the whole foregoing comparison which he has made between the ministry of the law and of the gospel, and not between the law and the gospel themselves. The calling of it hope instead of glory here, where he speaks of his having it, is the language of modesty, which more particularlysuited his present purpose; for the conclusion which in this verse he draws from what went before, plainly shews his design in this discourse to be, the justifying his speaking freely of himself and others. His argument is to this effect: "Having therefore so honourable an employment, as is the ministry of the gospel, which far exceeds the ministry of the law in glory;—though even that gave so great a lustre to Moses's face, that the children of Israel could not, with fixed eyes, look upon him;—I, as becomes one of such hopes, in such a post as sets me above all mean considerations and compliances, use great freedom and plainness of speech in all things which concern my ministry."