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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Corinthians 3:12–18. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
In these verses the apostle draws two inferences from what he had said about the Old and New Testament: -
I.Concerning the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness or clearness of speech.
They ought not, like Moses, to put a veil upon their faces, or obscure and darken those things which they should make plain. The gospel is a more clear dispensation than the law; the things of God are revealed in the New Testament, not in types and shadows, and ministers are much to blame if they do not set spiritual things, and gospel-truth and grace, in the clearest light that is possible. Though the Israelites could not look stedfastly to the end of what was commanded, but is now abolished, yet we may. We may see the meaning of those types and shadows by the accomplishment, seeing the veil is done away in, Christ and he is come, who was the end of the law for righteousness to all those who believe, and whom Moses and all the prophets pointed to, and wrote of.
II.Concerning the privilege and advantage of those who enjoy the gospel, above those who lived under the law. For,
1.Those who lived under the legal dispensation had their minds blinded (Co2 3:14), and there was a veil upon their hearts, Co2 3:15. Thus it was formerly, and so it was especially as to those who remained in Judaism after the coming of the Messiah and the publication of his gospel. Nevertheless, the apostle tells us, there is a time coming when this veil also shall be taken away, and when it (the body of that people) shall turn to the Lord, Co2 3:16. Or, when any particular person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is taken away; the blindness of the mind, and the hardness of the heart, are cured.
2.The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is much more happy. For,
(1.)They have liberty: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, and where he worketh, as he does under the gospel-dispensation, there is liberty (Co2 3:17), freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and from the servitude of corruption; liberty of access to God, and freedom of speech in prayer. The heart is set at liberty, and enlarged, to run the ways of God's commandments.
(2.)They have light; for with open face we behold the glory of the Lord, Co2 3:18. The Israelites saw the glory of God in a cloud, which was dark and dreadful; but Christians see the glory of the Lord as in a glass, more clearly and comfortably. It was the peculiar privilege of Moses for God to converse with him face to face, in a friendly manner; but now all true Christians see him more clearly with open face. He showeth them his glory.
(3.)This light and liberty are transforming; we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory (Co2 3:18), from one degree of glorious grace unto another, till grace here be consummated in glory for ever. How much therefore should Christians prize and improve these privileges! We should not rest contented without an experimental knowledge of the transforming power of the gospel, by the operation of the Spirit, bringing us into a conformity to the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Historical interpretation
Four Centuries of Reception
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Of Israel he says, Even unto this day the same veil is upon their heart; " showing that the veil which was on the face of Moses was a figure of the veil which is on the heart of the nation still; because even now Moses is not seen by them in heart, just as he was not then seen by them in eye.
Further, if any one ponders over the prophetic sayings with all the attention and reverence they deserve, it is certain that in the very act of reading and diligently studying them his mind and feelings will be touched by a divine breath. He will recognize that the words he is reading are not human utterances but the language of God; and so he will perceive from his own experience that these books have been composed not by human art or mortal eloquence but, if I may so speak, in a style that is divine. The splendor of Christ’s advent has, therefore, by illuminating the law of Moses with the brightness of the truth, withdrawn the veil which had covered the letter of the law and has disclosed, for everyone who believes in him, all those “good things” which lay concealed within.
The apostle also says, “Even until this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their hearts; but when a man shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” For so long as a man does not attend to the spiritual meaning “a veil lies upon his heart,” in consequence of which veil, in other words his duller understanding, the Scripture itself is said or thought to be veiled. This is the explanation of the veil which is said to have covered the face of Moses when he was speaking to the people, that is, when the law is read in public. But if we turn to the Lord, where also the Word of God is and where the Holy Spirit reveals spiritual knowledge, the veil will be taken away, and we shall then with unveiled face behold in the holy Scriptures the glory of the Lord.
For since he said that in the reading of the Old Testament the veil remaineth, lest any should think that this that is said is from the obscurity of the Law, he both by other things showed even before what his meaning was, (for by saying, "their minds were hardened," he shows that the fault was their own,) and, in this place too, again. For he said not, 'The veil remaineth on the writing,' but "in the reading;" (now the reading is the act of those that read;) and again, "When Moses is read." He showed this however with greater clearness in the expression which follows next, saying unreservedly, "The veil lieth upon their heart." For even upon the face of Moses it lay, not because of Moses, but because of the grossness and carnal mind of these.
The curtain of the temple is torn, for that which had been veiled in Judea is unveiled to all the nations; the curtain is torn and the mysteries of the law are revealed to the faithful, but to unbelievers they are hidden to this very day. When Moses, the Old Testament, is read aloud by the Jews on every Sabbath, according to the testimony of the apostle: “the veil covers their hearts.” They read the law, true enough, but they do not understand because their eyes have grown so dim that they cannot see. They are, indeed, like those of whom Scripture says: “They have eyes but see not; they have ears but hear not.”
Yet the shadows bring forth the truth, even if they are not at all the truth themselves. Because of this, the divinely inspired Moses placed a veil upon his face and spoke thus to the children of Israel, all but shouting by this act that a person might behold the beauty of the utterances made through him, not in outwardly appearing figures but in meditations hidden within us. Come, therefore, by taking off the veil of the law and by setting the face of Moses free of its coverings, let us behold the naked truth.
But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
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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. 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). 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). 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. 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.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
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) 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.
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.
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.
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
FAQ
What does Paul mean by "when Moses is read"?
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?
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). 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?
Paul explicitly states in the very next verse, 2 Corinthians 3:16, 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), 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), and the mediator of a New Covenant, which is superior and eternal (Hebrews 8:6). 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). 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.