2 Corinthians 3:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} even {G2193} unto this day {G4594}, when {G2259} Moses {G3475} is read {G314}, the vail {G2571} is upon {G2749}{G1909} their {G846} heart {G2588}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes, till today, whenever Moshe is read, a veil lies over their heart.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Corinthians 3:15 reveals the persistent spiritual blindness experienced by many within Israel, symbolized by the veil Moses wore, which prevents them from fully grasping the true meaning of the Old Covenant. Even when the Law of Moses is read, a spiritual covering remains over their hearts, hindering their understanding of its temporary nature and its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This verse highlights the profound need for divine intervention to remove this spiritual impediment and enable a proper comprehension of God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within Paul's extended argument in [2 Corinthians 3](/2_corinthians/3 "2 Corinthians 3 - The Superiority of the New Covenant"). Paul contrasts the Old Covenant, characterized by the Law and its fading glory, with the New Covenant, which is ministered by the Spirit and brings righteousness and life. He has just described Moses' physical veil, which covered the fading glory on his face after encountering God on Mount Sinai ([2 Corinthians 3:13](/2_corinthians/3-13 "2 Corinthians 3:13 - Moses' Veil")). Paul then transitions from this literal veil to a symbolic one, explaining that the minds of the Israelites were hardened, preventing them from seeing the temporary nature of the Old Covenant, which was being set aside in Christ ([2 Corinthians 3:14](/2_corinthians/3-14 "2 Corinthians 3:14 - The Veil Over Their Minds")). Verse 15 continues this thought, emphasizing that this spiritual veil remains "even unto this day" when the Law is read, indicating a persistent spiritual inability to discern the Law's true purpose and its culmination in Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is addressing a Jewish audience, or at least a church with a significant Jewish component, in Corinth. The reading of "Moses" refers to the public and private reading of the Torah (the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament) in synagogues and homes, a central practice in Jewish life. For many Jews of Paul's day, adherence to the Law was seen as the primary means of righteousness and a complete revelation in itself, rather than a preparatory stage pointing to the Messiah. The concept of a "veil" would have resonated deeply with their understanding of Moses' experience in [Exodus 34](/exodus/34 "Exodus 34 - Moses' Face Shines"). Paul's assertion that this veil persists highlights the cultural and spiritual challenge of convincing those steeped in the Old Covenant traditions that its true meaning and ultimate purpose are found in Jesus, the Messiah whom they often rejected.
* **Key Themes:** The passage contributes significantly to several major themes within 2 Corinthians and Paul's broader theology. A central theme is **Spiritual Blindness** or **Obscurity**, where the "veil" symbolizes an inability to perceive spiritual truth, particularly the glory of God revealed in Christ through the New Covenant. This contrasts sharply with the **Clarity and Freedom of the New Covenant**, which is ministered by the Spirit and brings understanding and transformation. Another key theme is the **Fulfillment of the Old Covenant in Christ**. Paul argues that the Old Covenant, though glorious, was temporary and pointed to a greater reality. Without Christ, the Old Testament remains a closed book, its prophecies and types unfulfilled in the eyes of the reader. This leads to the theme of **Divine Illumination**, as Paul implies that only through turning to the Lord can this veil be removed and true understanding be granted, as further elaborated in [2 Corinthians 3:16](/2_corinthians/3-16 "2 Corinthians 3:16 - Turning to the Lord Removes the Veil").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **vail (Greek, _kályma'_):** From G2571, meaning a cover or a veil. In this context, it directly alludes to the physical veil Moses wore over his face (as described in [Exodus 34:33-35](/exodus/34-33-35 "Exodus 34:33-35 - Moses Veils His Face")) but is used metaphorically by Paul. It signifies a spiritual covering that obstructs understanding and perception, preventing individuals from seeing the true meaning and purpose of the Old Covenant and its fulfillment in Christ.
* **read (Greek, _anaginṓskō'_):** From G314, meaning "to know again" or "to read." This word indicates the act of intellectual engagement with the text of the Law (Moses). The implication is that merely reading or reciting the Scriptures, even diligently, is insufficient for true spiritual comprehension if the heart remains veiled. It points to a need for more than just intellectual access to the text.
* **heart (Greek, _kardía'_):** From G2588, meaning the heart, figuratively representing the thoughts, feelings, mind, and the very core of one's being. In biblical anthropology, the "heart" is the seat of intellect, will, and spiritual perception, not merely emotions. Therefore, a veil upon the heart signifies a fundamental spiritual dullness or hardening that affects one's ability to comprehend divine truth at the deepest level of understanding and spiritual receptivity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But even unto this day,"**: This phrase emphasizes the enduring nature of the spiritual condition Paul is describing. It highlights that the blindness was not limited to Moses' era or the initial reception of the Law but persisted among many of Paul's Jewish contemporaries, and indeed, continues into his present time and beyond. It underscores the severity and longevity of this spiritual impediment.
* **"when Moses is read,"**: This clause specifies the context in which the veil remains. "Moses" here refers to the Torah, the Law given through Moses, which was regularly read and studied in Jewish synagogues and homes. The phrase indicates that despite the accessibility and diligent study of the foundational texts of their faith, the spiritual barrier remains in place during this very act of engagement with God's Word.
* **"the vail is upon their heart."**: This is the core assertion of the verse. The "vail" (spiritual covering) is not over their eyes (suggesting physical blindness) or their minds (suggesting intellectual inability alone), but "upon their heart." This signifies a deeper, spiritual incapacity—a lack of inner clarity, spiritual receptivity, and an inability to grasp the true, Christ-centered meaning of the Law. It implies a hardened spiritual core that resists the revelation of God's glory in Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs **Symbolism** and **Metaphor** in this verse to convey profound spiritual truth. The physical "veil" that Moses wore, introduced in the preceding verses, functions as a powerful **Symbol** for the spiritual blindness and hardened understanding of those who read the Old Covenant without recognizing its fulfillment in Christ. This symbol is then extended into a **Metaphor** when Paul states that "the vail is upon their heart," transforming a literal object into an abstract representation of spiritual dullness. This metaphorical use of the veil effectively communicates that the problem is not merely intellectual but lies at the core of one's spiritual perception. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** between the fading glory of the Old Covenant, veiled from understanding, and the unveiled, enduring glory of the New Covenant in Christ, which brings clarity and freedom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is foundational for understanding the continuity and discontinuity between the Old and New Covenants, emphasizing that the Old Covenant, while divinely given, was provisional and pointed to a greater reality in Christ. The theological implication of the "veil upon their heart" is that human fallenness extends beyond mere moral failing to include a profound spiritual incapacity to discern divine truth without supernatural intervention. It underscores the necessity of the Holy Spirit's work to illuminate the Scriptures and reveal Christ. Without this divine illumination, even the sacred texts can become a source of misunderstanding rather than revelation, leading to a legalistic or incomplete faith. The verse highlights that true understanding of God's Word is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual encounter that transforms the heart.

* [2 Corinthians 3:16](/2_corinthians/3-16 "The Veil Removed by Turning to the Lord")
* [Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Jesus Opens Their Understanding")
* [Romans 11:25](/romans/11-25 "Partial Hardening of Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Second Corinthians 3:15 serves as a powerful reminder that merely possessing or reading the Scriptures is not sufficient for true spiritual understanding. The "veil" can manifest in various forms today: intellectual pride, reliance on human tradition, cultural biases, or a hardened heart unwilling to submit to God's truth. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts and ask if there are any "veils" preventing us from fully grasping the liberating truth of the Gospel. It underscores the absolute necessity of the Holy Spirit's work in illuminating the Word of God. We must approach the Scriptures with humility, prayer, and a desire for the Spirit to reveal Christ, recognizing that true knowledge of God is not just about accumulating facts but about a transformed heart that sees and embraces His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "veils" might be preventing my own heart from fully understanding and embracing God's truth today?**
* **How does my approach to reading the Bible reflect a reliance on intellectual understanding versus spiritual illumination?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge my assumptions about spiritual discernment and the role of the Holy Spirit?**
* **How can I cultivate a more open and receptive heart to the Lord, so that any veils might be removed?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "when Moses is read"?**

Answer: When Paul refers to "Moses," he is primarily speaking of the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), which were traditionally attributed to Moses and formed the core of Jewish scripture. The phrase "when Moses is read" refers to the regular practice of publicly reading and studying these books in synagogues and privately in homes. Paul's point is that even with this consistent engagement with the Law, a spiritual barrier prevents many from understanding its true purpose and its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

**Is Paul saying the Old Testament is bad or irrelevant?**

Answer: No, Paul is not saying the Old Testament is bad or irrelevant. In fact, he affirms its divine origin and purpose elsewhere (e.g., [Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "The Law is Holy")). Rather, he is explaining that the Old Covenant, while glorious in its time, was temporary and preparatory, designed to point to Christ. Without the Spirit and a heart turned to the Lord, the Old Testament's true meaning remains obscured, and it can even become a source of condemnation rather than a guide to salvation. The problem is not with the Law itself, but with the "veil" over the heart that prevents its proper understanding in light of Christ.

**How is the "veil" removed from the heart?**

Answer: Paul explicitly states in the very next verse, [2 Corinthians 3:16](/2_corinthians/3-16 "Turning to the Lord Removes the Veil"), that "when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed." This turning to the Lord signifies conversion—a spiritual turning away from self-reliance and sin, and a turning towards Jesus Christ in faith. It is through this act of faith and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that spiritual understanding is granted, allowing one to see Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and the true glory of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Second Corinthians 3:15 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate unveiling of God's glory and the end of the Law for righteousness. The "veil" signifies a spiritual blindness to the true meaning and temporary nature of the Old Covenant, which was always designed to point forward to Christ. Jesus, as the incarnate Word ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), is the one who perfectly reveals God's character and plan, making visible what was previously obscured. He is the substance to which the shadows of the Old Testament pointed ([Colossians 2:17](/colossians/2-17 "Shadows of the Things to Come")), and the mediator of a New Covenant, which is superior and eternal ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "A Superior Covenant")). When one turns to the Lord Jesus, the Spirit of Christ removes the veil, granting spiritual understanding and transforming the heart to behold the unveiled glory of God in the face of Christ ([2 Corinthians 3:18](/2_corinthians/3-18 "Transformed by Beholding Glory")). Thus, Jesus is not merely the subject of the Old Testament, but the key to unlocking its meaning and the very means by which spiritual sight is restored.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 13:27

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled [them] in condemning [him].

Acts 13:29

And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took [him] down from the tree, and laid [him] in a sepulchre.