2 Corinthians 3:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

“But,” says the Torah, “whenever someone turns to Adonai, the veil is taken away.”

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Nevertheless^{G1161} when^{G2259} it^{G302} shall turn^{G1994} to^{G4314} the Lord^{G2962}, the vail^{G2571} shall be taken away^{G4014}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 2 Corinthians 3:16

2 Corinthians 3:16 is a verse that speaks to the transformative power of turning to the Lord, which in the context of the letter, refers to Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul is writing to the Christian community in Corinth, addressing their struggles and questions about the nature of the new covenant that Jesus established through his life, death, and resurrection. This verse is part of a larger passage where Paul contrasts the old covenant, which he refers to as the "ministration of death" and the "ministration of condemnation," with the new covenant, which he calls the "ministration of the spirit" and the "ministration of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 3:7-9).

The "vail" mentioned in the verse alludes to the veil that Moses wore to cover his face after speaking with God, as described in Exodus 34:33-35. The veil symbolized the obscurity and inaccessibility of God's glory under the old covenant. However, in Christ, believers have direct access to God's glory, and the veil is removed. The verse suggests that when a person turns to the Lord—that is, when they genuinely seek and embrace Jesus—the spiritual veil that obscures understanding and intimacy with God is lifted. This transformation from glory to glory is a work of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18) and signifies the liberating effect of the new covenant, where believers are brought into a new relationship with God, characterized by freedom, life, and transformation.

Historically, this verse reflects the early Christian struggle to understand their identity and faith in relation to Judaism. Paul's message reassures the Corinthians that in Christ, they have entered into a more direct and intimate relationship with God, one that is not limited by the rituals and laws of the old covenant. The removal of the veil symbolizes the newfound clarity and access to God's presence that is available to all who turn to Jesus, regardless of their Jewish or Gentile background. This theme of the veil being removed is also echoed in the account of Jesus' crucifixion, where the temple veil was torn in two, signifying the end of the old order and the beginning of a new era of access to God (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45).

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2259
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡνίκα
   Transliteration: hēníka
   Pronunciation: hay-nee'-kah
   Description: of uncertain affinity; at which time:--when.
   
3. Strong's Number: G302
   There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄν
   Transliteration: án
   Pronunciation: an
   Description: a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty:--(what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood. Also contracted for ἐάν.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1994
   There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπιστρέφω
   Transliteration: epistréphō
   Pronunciation: ep-ee-stref'-o
   Description: from ἐπί and στρέφω; to revert (literally, figuratively or morally):--come (go) again, convert, (re-)turn (about, again).
   
5. Strong's Number: G4314
   There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρός
   Transliteration: prós
   Pronunciation: pros
   Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2962
   There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κύριος
   Transliteration: kýrios
   Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
   Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2571
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κάλυμα
   Transliteration: kályma
   Pronunciation: kal'-oo-mah
   Description: from καλύπτω; a cover, i.e. veil:--vail.
   
8. Strong's Number: G4014
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: περιαιρέω
   Transliteration: periairéō
   Pronunciation: per-ee-ahee-reh'-o
   Description: from περί and αἱρέομαι (including its alternate); to remove all around, i.e. unveil, cast off (anchor); figuratively, to expiate:--take away (up).