2 Corinthians 3:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

NIV: But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

NASB: but whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

CSB: but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

NLT: But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

KJV: Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

NKJV: Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Paul has described a condition that afflicts every human being, though he is talking specifically about the people of Israel. Despite their privileged position as God's chosen people and His revelation to them of Himself through the law of Moses, they could not reach a right understanding about who God is. They could not see His glory. Paul has described this separation caused by human sinfulness, by the hardening of our minds, as a veil that lies over our hearts.

We cannot remove this veil ourselves no matter how sincerely we want to or how diligently we study or how desperately we try to obey. Our sin stands in the way, keeping us from God's glory (Romans 3:23). But, Paul now adds, when a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. It is replaced by the rock-solid hope of sharing in God's glory for eternity (Romans 6:23). But this veil is only removed through Christ. There is no other way to be free from it.

Second Corinthians 3:7–18 contains Paul's comparison of the glory of God revealed in two covenants. The first is the Old Covenant with Israel, second is the far greater glory revealed in the new covenant of God's grace through faith in Christ. The glory of the Old Covenant is fading just as it did on Moses' face after he had been with God. Those who come to God through faith in Christ are forgiven for their sins and able to look on God's glory. The veil of unbelief must be removed by the Spirit through Christ. Those who see Him begin to become like Him.

Second Corinthians 3 begins with Paul's insistence that Christ's presence in the hearts of the Corinthians should be all the evidence they need that his ministry is true. He compares the limited glory revealed by the Old Covenant between God and Israel with the far greater glory revealed by Christ to all who come to Him by faith. That glory is revealed only when the veil of unbelief is removed through Christ by the Holy Spirit's power. Those who see God's glory in Christ begin to be changed to become like Him.

Earlier chapters described the Corinthians' response to Paul's earlier instructions. Here, Paul once again defends the legitimacy of his role as an apostle of Christ. He then compares the old covenant of the law of Moses with the new covenant of faith in Christ. The old covenant revealed human sinfulness, God's condemnation, and the death required to pay for sin. The new covenant brings God's forgiveness for sin to all who trust in Christ, making it possible to look on His glory and to begin to be changed by it into the image of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. This launches Paul into a description of the value of the gospel, in contrast to the struggles of earthly life.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.

Accessed 5/6/2024 7:43:45 AM