2 Corinthians 3:14

14 But 1their minds were 2hardened. For to this day, 3when they read 4the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.

2 Corinthians 3:14 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 3:14

But their minds were blinded
This confirms the sense given of the foregoing verse, and shows, that not the Israelites only in Moses's time, but the Jews in the times of the Gospel, had their minds so blinded, that they could not behold the glory of the Gospel, nor Christ the end of the law; see ( Romans 11:7 Romans 11:8 Romans 11:25 ) .

For until this day,
to this very time,

remaineth the same veil untaken away;
not the selfsame veil that was on Moses's face, but the veil of blindness, darkness, and ignorance, upon the hearts of the Jews:

in the reading of the Old Testament;
the books of the Old Testament, which were used to be read in their synagogues every sabbath day; the true spiritual meaning of which, as they respect Christ and the Gospel dispensation, they understood not; of which darkness, the veil on the face of Moses was a type and emblem:

which veil is done away in Christ;
can only be removed by Christ, by his Spirit and grace, and through the light of the Gospel of Christ, shining into the heart; and so dispel that blindness and ignorance which is in the understanding; whereby the books of the Old Testament are understood, and appear to agree exactly with the Gospel of Christ, in the books of the New Testament.

2 Corinthians 3:14 In-Context

12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,
13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.
14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.
15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.
16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Cross References 4

  • 1. [2 Corinthians 4:4; Romans 11:25]
  • 2. See Mark 6:52
  • 3. Acts 13:15; Acts 15:21
  • 4. [ver. 6]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.