2 Corinthians 3 16

2 Corinthians 3:16 kjv

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

2 Corinthians 3:16 nkjv

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

2 Corinthians 3:16 niv

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

2 Corinthians 3:16 esv

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

2 Corinthians 3:16 nlt

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

2 Corinthians 3 verses

2 Corinthians 3 16 Meaning

This verse encapsulates a pivotal moment of spiritual transformation: when an individual decisively turns their heart and life towards Jesus Christ, the spiritual blindness and inability to comprehend divine truth that previously obscured their understanding is entirely removed. It signifies a conversion event where God grants spiritual illumination, allowing the individual to see the glory of God revealed in Christ, in contrast to the fading glory of the old covenant and the persistent veiled understanding of those who do not believe.

2 Corinthians 3 16 Context

The immediate context of 2 Corinthians 3:16 is Paul's extended comparison between the Old Covenant (of Law) and the New Covenant (of the Spirit) and his defense of his apostolic ministry. Paul references Moses, who veiled his face to conceal the fading glory after speaking with God (Ex 34). For Paul, this historical veil metaphorically represents the spiritual blindness of the Israelites under the Old Covenant, preventing them from seeing the true, temporary nature of the Law and its fulfillment in Christ (vv.13-15). Their inability to truly understand the Scriptures meant that whenever the Old Covenant was read, a veil covered their hearts, preventing spiritual sight. Verse 16 then provides the divine remedy: a turning to "the Lord" (Jesus Christ), which results in the removal of this veil, bringing spiritual enlightenment and true understanding, directly leading into the explanation of the Spirit's role in granting freedom and transformation (vv.17-18). Historically, Paul was addressing a Hellenistic-Jewish and Gentile Christian community in Corinth, navigating issues of true apostleship and spiritual authority against those advocating for a return to Mosaic legalism, demonstrating the superior glory and transformative power of the New Covenant in Christ.

2 Corinthians 3 16 Word analysis

• But (ἀλλ’ / all'): This strong conjunction serves as a direct contrast, emphatically signaling a reversal of the spiritual state described in the preceding verse. It highlights a decisive shift from continued blindness to the potential for clear sight.
• when one turns (ὅταν ἐπιστρέψῃ / hotan epistrepsē):
  • hotan: Means "whenever" or "when," indicating the specific condition that triggers the consequence.
  • epistrepsē (from epistrephō): This Greek term means "to turn back," "to return," or "to convert." It signifies a deliberate and radical reorientation of one's entire being – mind, heart, and will – away from a previous direction (such as legalism, spiritual ignorance, or sin) and towards a new one. It implies repentance and a commitment of faith. In a Septuagintal context, epistrephō is often used for Israel's turning back to YHWH.
• to the Lord (πρὸς Κύριον / pros Kyrion):
  • pros: A preposition meaning "towards," denoting the object or goal of the turning.
  • Kyrion (Kyrios): This significant term, often used for YHWH in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), is unequivocally identified with Jesus Christ in Pauline theology, especially when contrasted with the Old Covenant. Turning "to the Lord" means turning to Jesus Christ as the focal point of faith and revelation, who is intimately linked with the Spirit as explained in the subsequent verse (2 Cor 3:17).
• the veil (τὸ κάλυμμα / to kalymma):
  • kalymma: This noun literally means "a covering" or "a veil." It refers back to Moses' physical veil but is applied here metaphorically to represent spiritual obfuscation – the blindness of mind and heart that prevents understanding of God's redemptive plan in Christ, particularly within the Old Testament scriptures. It is the spiritual barrier to true comprehension and perception of God's glory.
• is removed (περιαιρεῖται / periaireitai):
  • From periaireō: This verb means "to take away entirely," "to remove all around," or "to strip off completely." It's in the present passive indicative, suggesting a continuous or immediately effective divine action. The veil is not merely lifted or made transparent; it is completely stripped off by an external agent (God, through the Spirit) when one turns to Christ, emphasizing that this is a work of grace rather than human effort.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "But when one turns to the Lord": This phrase highlights the personal volition and the target of that volition. The turning is a decisive act of personal faith and repentance directed specifically towards Jesus Christ, contrasting sharply with merely adhering to a system or outward observances. It initiates the process of spiritual illumination.
  • "the veil is removed": This phrase emphasizes the direct, divine consequence of such turning. The spiritual barrier that hinders understanding is supernaturally taken away. It denotes an immediate and comprehensive unveiling, revealing the glory that was previously hidden and setting the stage for spiritual growth and transformation.

2 Corinthians 3 16 Bonus section

The concept of "turning to the Lord" (epistrepsē pros Kyrion) draws deep roots from the Old Testament prophetic tradition, where it often signifies national repentance and a return to Yahweh after apostasy. Paul redeploys this powerful language within the New Covenant framework, identifying "the Lord" as Jesus Christ. This shift from YHWH to Christ highlights Jesus' divinity and His central role in humanity's reconciliation with God. The passive voice "is removed" (periaireitai) implicitly indicates God as the agent. It is a divine intervention; we turn, but God performs the spiritual surgery. This reinforces the theological truth that while human faith is essential, salvation and illumination are ultimately a gracious act of God through the Holy Spirit. This verse also implicitly carries an eschatological hope for Israel (Rom 11:25-27), that "all Israel will be saved" when they collectively turn to the Lord and the veil is finally removed for them on a larger scale.

2 Corinthians 3 16 Commentary

2 Corinthians 3:16 serves as the spiritual antidote to the condition of veiled understanding. It declares that the very moment an individual's heart genuinely shifts its allegiance and focus "to the Lord"—meaning Jesus Christ—the spiritual barrier, likened to Moses' veil, is definitively "removed." This veil, for Paul, symbolizes the inherent spiritual inability of those apart from Christ to grasp the true meaning of the Old Covenant, recognize its fulfillment in Him, and perceive the glorious New Covenant mediated by the Spirit. The removal is an act of divine grace, not human effort, initiating spiritual clarity and liberation, allowing the believer to experience true freedom and ultimately behold God's glory.