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

2 Corinthians 3:15 describes the enduring spiritual inability and lack of insight experienced by those who read the Old Testament scriptures, specifically the Law of Moses, without understanding its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. A spiritual "veil" obscures their "heart"—the core of their understanding, intellect, and spiritual perception—preventing them from grasping the temporary nature of the old covenant's glory and discerning God's true redemptive intent as revealed in the new. Despite engaging with sacred texts, they miss their transformative, life-giving essence due to this spiritual opaqueness.

2 Corinthians 3 15 Context

The immediate context of 2 Corinthians chapter 3 sees Paul contrasting the ministry of the Old Covenant with that of the New Covenant. Paul argues that while the Old Covenant, the Law given through Moses, possessed a temporary glory (ministry of death and condemnation), its brilliance was fading. This fading glory was symbolized by the literal veil Moses wore to conceal the diminishing radiance of his face from the Israelites (Exod 34:33). Paul then allegorizes this physical veil in verses 13 and 14, connecting it to the spiritual dullness and hardening of heart that prevented the Israelites from understanding the temporary nature of the Law and its true prophetic intent, which always pointed to Christ. Verse 15 highlights that this spiritual "veiling" persists for those who, "to this day," continue to read Moses (the Law, the Old Testament) without recognizing its fulfillment in the New Covenant established by Christ. It is an extension of Paul's assertion that "their minds were made dull" (2 Cor 3:14), emphasizing an ongoing, fundamental problem in their spiritual perception.

2 Corinthians 3 15 Word analysis

• But even to this day (ἀλλ’ ἕως σήμερον - all’ heōs sēmeron): "But" (ἀλλ’) introduces a strong contrast, underscoring that the veiling continues despite the greater revelation in Christ. "Even to this day" emphasizes the continuity and enduring nature of the spiritual blindness, persisting from Moses' time through Paul's era and into the present for those without Christ.

• when Moses is read (ἡνίκα ἀναγινώσκεται Μωϋσῆς - hēnika anaginōsketai Mōysēs): "Moses" serves as a metonym for the Law, referring to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament) and by extension the entire Old Covenant. "Is read" (passive, present tense) points to the continuous practice of public scripture recitation, especially in synagogues. This indicates the problem lies not with the scripture itself, but with the spiritual lens through which it is perceived.

• a veil lies over (κάλυμμα... κεῖται ἐπὶ - kalymma... keitai epi): "A veil" is a profound metaphor, drawing from Moses' literal veil (Exod 34:33). Here, it signifies spiritual incomprehension, mental dullness, or obstinacy rather than a physical covering. "Lies over" indicates a passive, yet firmly established and persistent state or condition of obstruction.

• their heart (τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν - tēn kardian autōn): Biblically, the "heart" denotes the core of a person's being—the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and spiritual understanding. "Their" refers back to "the sons of Israel" (2 Cor 3:13), specifically those who, in Paul's contemporary context, had not turned to Christ. It reveals that the impediment to understanding is deep-seated and internal, affecting their entire spiritual and cognitive faculty.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "But even to this day, when Moses is read": This phrase pinpoints the tragic irony of continuing a sacred religious practice ("reading Moses") while simultaneously lacking true comprehension. The enduring presence of the problem ("to this day") indicates that spiritual insight is not a byproduct of proximity to or mere engagement with scripture; divine intervention or a "turning to the Lord" is required to remove the impediment.
  • "a veil lies over their heart": This image vividly portrays the spiritual barrier that obstructs perception and profound understanding. The "veil" represents an internal condition, a spiritual opacity that covers the innermost part of their being ("heart"), rendering them incapable of seeing the glory of God revealed in the Old Testament, which ultimately points to Christ. The static nature implied by "lies over" suggests a persistent and deeply entrenched state of spiritual blindness.

2 Corinthians 3 15 Bonus section

• The persistence of the veil "to this day" underscores that true spiritual enlightenment is not a default state or automatically gained through religious tradition or intellectual study alone. It necessitates a genuine, personal turning to the Lord for the veil to be removed.
• The concept of spiritual dullness or a hardened heart, as depicted by the veil, is a consistent theme throughout biblical history, appearing in accounts like Pharaoh's stubbornness, Israel's unbelief in the wilderness, and Jesus's critiques of spiritual leaders of His day who could not perceive His messianic identity despite extensive scriptural knowledge.
• The "veil" serves as a powerful theological bridge, connecting the physical, historical veil of Moses (symbolizing the temporary nature of the Old Covenant's glory) with the ongoing spiritual condition of human hearts that lack insight into God's ultimate plan of salvation through Christ.
• The immediate remedy for this veiled state is clearly presented in the very next verse (2 Cor 3:16): "Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed." This provides hope and a clear path forward, emphasizing repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit in providing genuine spiritual revelation and understanding of the Scriptures.

2 Corinthians 3 15 Commentary

2 Corinthians 3:15 profoundly illuminates the spiritual dilemma faced by many who meticulously studied the Old Testament in Paul's time, and continues to be relevant today. It explains why sincere engagement with scripture might not yield spiritual transformation: a "veil," representing spiritual blindness or hardened understanding, prevents a proper perception of the texts. This isn't merely a lack of information but a spiritual incapacity to see the divine design—that the Law and Prophets are ultimately fulfilled and clarified in Jesus Christ. Without this Christ-centered understanding, the Old Covenant remains a veiled mystery. The verse highlights that the problem is not the Old Testament's words themselves, which are divinely inspired, but the human "heart's" condition. True understanding and illumination are gifts of the Holy Spirit, made possible when one "turns to the Lord" (2 Cor 3:16), signifying conversion and faith in Christ. This spiritual removal of the veil enables one to move beyond the letter that kills and embrace the Spirit that gives life.