2 Corinthians 3 15

2 Corinthians 3:15 kjv

But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

2 Corinthians 3:15 nkjv

But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.

2 Corinthians 3:15 niv

Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:15 esv

Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:15 nlt

Yes, even today when they read Moses' writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.

2 Corinthians 3 verses

2 Corinthians 3 15 Meaning

This verse speaks of the ongoing veil or covering that hinders many from understanding the Old Testament prophecies when read in their original context. This veil is only removed when one turns to Christ. It emphasizes that true spiritual understanding and conversion are linked to belief in Jesus. The inability to look to the end of the Law refers to their failure to see Christ as the culmination and fulfillment of the Mosaic Law.

2 Corinthians 3 15 Context

This passage is part of a larger section (2 Corinthians 3:7-18) where Paul contrasts the old covenant of the Law with the new covenant of the Spirit. He uses the imagery of Moses' unveiled face (Exodus 34) to illustrate the superior glory and freedom found in Christ. Paul is likely defending his apostolic ministry against criticisms from opponents in Corinth. He emphasizes that the Law, while glorious, had a ministry of condemnation, and its adherents remained spiritually blind because they focused on the letter of the Law rather than its intended fulfillment in Christ.

2 Corinthians 3 15 Word analysis

• Καὶ (Kai): And; a common conjunction connecting clauses.
• ἐὰν (ean): If; introduces a conditional clause.
• δὲ (de): But/and; adversative or continuative conjunction.
• ᾖ (ē): It may be; subjunctive form of "to be."
• μήπω (mēpō): Not yet.
• τὸ (to): The; definite article.
• τῆμα (tēma): Veil (used metaphorically); derived from teiro (to wear out, tire). In classical Greek, tēma can mean a precious gift or covering, but here it signifies a barrier to understanding.
• ἐπικείμενον (epikeimenon): Laid upon/over; present passive participle of epikéimai (to be placed upon). It signifies something covering or weighing down.
• ἐπὶ (epi): Upon/on; a preposition indicating position or application.
• τὴν (tēn): The; definite article.
• ἀνάγνωσιν (anagnōsin): Reading; accusative singular of anagnōsis (reading, perusal). It refers to the act of reading the Scriptures.
• τῶν (tōn): Of the; genitive plural definite article.
• παλαιῶν (palaiōn): Old; genitive plural of palaios (old, ancient). Refers to the Old Covenant writings.
• διαθηκῶν (diathēkōn): Covenants; genitive plural of diathēkē (covenant, testament). Refers to the Old Covenant.
• οὐκ (ouk): Not.
• ἀφαιρεῖται (aphäreitai): It is taken away/removed; present passive indicative of aphairéō (to take away, remove). Signifies an ongoing removal.
• ἐν (en): In/by; a preposition indicating means or state.
• Χριστῷ (Christō): Christ; dative singular of Christos (anointed one). Refers to Jesus Christ.
• ἀφαιρεῖται (aphäreitai): It is taken away/removed.
• Ἐν (En): In; preposition.
• δὲ (de): But; conjunction.
• τῷ (tō): The; dative singular definite article.
• Κυρίῳ (Kuriō): Lord; dative singular of Kyrios (Lord, master). Refers to the Lord Jesus Christ.
• ὁ (ho): The; nominative singular masculine definite article.
• Κύριος (Kyrios): Lord.
• Participle phrase: "The Lord, the Spirit, that is"; this refers to the Holy Spirit being identified with the Lord. The phrase can be rendered "where the Lord is, the Spirit is."
• πνεῦμα (pneuma): Spirit; nominative singular of pneuma (spirit, wind, breath). Refers to the Holy Spirit.
• ἐστὶν (estin): Is; third person singular present indicative of "to be."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "but if it turns...": This conditional clause hinges on a future event or a potential action of turning toward Christ.
• "the veil is taken away": The passive voice emphasizes that the removal of the veil is an act accomplished through Christ and the Spirit, not by human effort.
• "where the Lord is, there is freedom" (or "where the Lord, the Spirit, is"): This powerful statement links the presence of Christ (the Lord) with the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, leading to liberty from the bondage of the Law and sin.

2 Corinthians 3 15 Bonus section

The imagery of the veil is potent. In Jewish tradition, while not explicitly commanded for reading the Law, it could be associated with maintaining holiness or separation. Paul, however, reinterprets this as a spiritual barrier of sin and misunderstanding preventing access to the full truth of God's redemptive plan. The direct association of the Lord with the Spirit highlights the unified work of the Trinity in salvation and spiritual illumination. The "freedom" mentioned is not political or social liberation, but freedom from the dominion of sin and the condemnation of the Law, which fosters intimacy with God.

2 Corinthians 3 15 Commentary

This verse serves as a crucial pivot in Paul's argument. The spiritual blindness that afflicted the Jews in Paul's day, and which persisted in their reading of the Old Testament, was not inherent in the Law itself but in their inability to see Christ as its fulfillment. When an individual turns to the Lord Jesus Christ, the divine agency of the Holy Spirit is present. This presence immediately removes the veil of misunderstanding that obscures the Old Testament's prophetic message pointing to Christ. The "freedom" (often rendered in various translations as liberty or boldness) is the direct result of the Spirit's work, enabling true worship and understanding, unlike the conditional relationship of the Law. The power of the New Covenant is that the Spirit liberates the heart to comprehend God's Word and live in its truth, a truth embodied in Christ.