2 Corinthians 3:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Corinthians 3:16 stands as a pivotal declaration within Paul's profound discourse on the New Covenant, asserting that spiritual understanding and liberation from the veiled comprehension of the Old Testament are granted when one's heart turns to the Lord. This verse articulates the transformative power of conversion, revealing that the spiritual blindness afflicting those who read the Old Covenant without Christ is removed, leading to a clear apprehension of God's truth and the ultimate fulfillment of the law in Jesus.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Paul's extended argument in [2 Corinthians 3](/2_corinthians/3 "2 Corinthians 3 - The Ministry of the New Covenant"), where he contrasts the fading glory of the Old Covenant, represented by Moses' veiled face, with the surpassing and permanent glory of the New Covenant, ministered by the Spirit. In [2 Corinthians 3:7-11](/2_corinthians/3-7-11 "2 Corinthians 3:7-11 - The Fading Glory of the Old Covenant"), Paul describes how Moses' face shone so brightly that a veil was necessary, yet that glory was temporary. He then transitions in [2 Corinthians 3:12-15](/2_corinthians/3-12-15 "2 Corinthians 3:12-15 - The Veil Over Unbelieving Hearts") to explain that a spiritual veil covers the hearts of those in Israel who read the Old Testament but do not recognize Christ as its fulfillment, preventing them from seeing the true meaning and the end of the law's condemnation. Verse 16 then offers the solution: this spiritual veil is removed upon conversion to the Lord, setting the stage for the declaration of liberty in [2 Corinthians 3:17](/2_corinthians/3-17 "2 Corinthians 3:17 - Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the ongoing tension between Jewish believers who clung to the Law and Gentile converts, as well as the broader Jewish community's resistance to the Gospel. Paul is addressing a Corinthian church that has been influenced by false teachers, likely Judaizers, who emphasized adherence to the Law. The imagery of the veil would have been immediately recognizable to Paul's Jewish audience, drawing on the account in [Exodus 34:33-35](/exodus/34-33-35 "Exodus 34:33-35 - Moses' Veiled Face"). Culturally, veils were common in the ancient Near East, often signifying modesty, authority, or concealment. Paul masterfully uses this familiar physical object to represent a profound spiritual reality: the inability of the human heart, apart from Christ, to grasp the true spiritual intent and fulfillment of God's revelation. The "turning to the Lord" would have resonated with the Old Testament concept of repentance and returning to God, now reinterpreted through the lens of faith in Jesus as Messiah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes in 2 Corinthians and Pauline theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Spiritual Transformation and Conversion**, emphasizing that a decisive turning to Christ is the prerequisite for spiritual understanding and the removal of blindness. Secondly, it highlights the **Clarity and Superiority of the New Covenant** over the Old. While the Old Covenant, though glorious, brought condemnation and was veiled in its ultimate meaning, the New Covenant, ministered by the Spirit, brings life, righteousness, and an unveiled understanding of God's glory in Christ, as detailed in [2 Corinthians 3:8-9](/2_corinthians/3-8-9 "2 Corinthians 3:8-9 - The Greater Glory of the Spirit's Ministry"). Thirdly, it speaks to the theme of **Spiritual Blindness and Illumination**, portraying the "veil" as a metaphor for the spiritual inability to grasp divine truth, which is only lifted through Christ. This aligns with Paul's broader teaching on the need for divine illumination for spiritual perception, as seen in passages like [Ephesians 1:17-18](/ephesians/1-17-18 "Ephesians 1:17-18 - Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom and Revelation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **turn (Greek, _epistréphō'_):** This verb signifies a decisive change in direction, a turning around or returning. In a spiritual context, it carries the strong connotation of conversion or repentance, moving away from a previous state or path and orienting oneself towards God. It implies a conscious and intentional act of the will and heart.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** Derived from a root implying supremacy, _kýrios_ denotes one who is supreme in authority, a controller or master. In the New Testament, particularly in Pauline epistles, "the Lord" unequivocally refers to Jesus Christ, identifying Him as the divine Master and the one to whom all allegiance and understanding must be directed.
* **vail (Greek, _kályma'_):** This noun literally means a cover or a veil. In this context, it is used metaphorically to represent a spiritual covering or obstruction that prevents clear sight or understanding. Its removal signifies the lifting of this barrier, allowing for spiritual clarity and insight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord":** This clause introduces the condition for the removal of the veil. The "it" refers back to the "heart" mentioned in the preceding verse ([2 Corinthians 3:15](/2_corinthians/3-15 "2 Corinthians 3:15 - The Veil Remains on Their Hearts")), indicating that a personal or collective spiritual transformation is required. The act of "turning to the Lord" is a profound act of conversion, a reorientation of one's life, faith, and understanding towards Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God. This turning implies repentance from unbelief and an embrace of the Gospel.
* **"the vail shall be taken away.":** This clause states the direct consequence of turning to the Lord. The "vail," which symbolizes spiritual blindness and an inability to comprehend the true meaning of the Old Testament and God's ultimate plan, is supernaturally removed. This removal is not a human effort but a divine act, enabled by the Holy Spirit, granting spiritual illumination and allowing the individual to see Christ as the fulfillment of all Scripture and the embodiment of God's glory.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices in [2 Corinthians 3:16](/2_corinthians/3-16 "2 Corinthians 3:16 - The Veil Removed Upon Turning to the Lord"). The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the physical veil Moses wore is extended to represent a spiritual veil over the hearts and minds of those who do not believe in Christ. This metaphor vividly illustrates spiritual blindness and the obstruction to understanding God's truth. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, setting the state of being veiled (unbelief) against the state of being unveiled (faith in Christ), thereby highlighting the transformative power of conversion. Furthermore, there is clear **Symbolism**: the "veil" symbolizes spiritual opacity and the inability to perceive the spiritual glory of God in Christ, while "turning to the Lord" symbolizes conversion and the resulting spiritual illumination and freedom. The entire passage, including this verse, functions as an extended **Analogy** between Moses' ministry and the ministry of the New Covenant, demonstrating the surpassing glory and clarity of the latter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound theological statement on the necessity of Christ for true spiritual understanding and the removal of spiritual blindness. It asserts that the Old Testament, when read apart from faith in Jesus, remains veiled and its ultimate meaning obscured. The "turning to the Lord" is not merely an intellectual assent but a profound spiritual reorientation, a conversion that ushers in the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, who reveals Christ as the fulfillment of all prophecy and the embodiment of God's redemptive plan. This highlights the centrality of Jesus Christ in all of Scripture and the transformative power of the New Covenant, which brings clarity, righteousness, and life where the Old Covenant brought condemnation and a veiled understanding.

* [Isaiah 25:7](/isaiah/25-7 "Isaiah 25:7 - The Veil Over All Nations")
* [Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Understanding")
* [Acts 26:18](/acts/26-18 "Acts 26:18 - To Open Their Eyes")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For the believer today, 2 Corinthians 3:16 offers immense encouragement and practical guidance. It reminds us that our ability to truly grasp the depth and beauty of God's Word, particularly the Old Testament, is not a matter of intellectual prowess alone, but a gift bestowed through a living relationship with Jesus Christ. When our hearts are truly turned to the Lord, the Holy Spirit illuminates the Scriptures, revealing how all of God's redemptive history culminates in Christ. This means that our study of the Bible should always be accompanied by prayer for spiritual insight and a humble posture of dependence on the Spirit. Furthermore, this verse provides a powerful framework for understanding those who struggle to see the Gospel's truth; it's not a lack of intelligence, but a spiritual veil that needs to be lifted by the transforming power of Christ. It calls us to pray for and share the Gospel with those whose hearts remain veiled, trusting that when they turn to the Lord, the veil will be taken away, and they too will experience the freedom and clarity of God's unveiled truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your understanding of God's Word do you feel a "veil" might still be present, and how can turning more fully to the Lord help remove it?**
* **How does the concept of the "veil" help you understand the spiritual struggles of those who do not yet believe in Jesus Christ?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure your heart is continually "turned to the Lord" for deeper spiritual insight and freedom?**

### FAQ
**Does "it" refer to the nation of Israel or an individual's heart?**

Answer: While the immediate literary context in [2 Corinthians 3:15](/2_corinthians/3-15 "2 Corinthians 3:15 - The Veil on Their Hearts When Reading Moses") refers to "their minds" (referring to the Jewish people who read Moses but do not see Christ), the "it" in verse 16 is best understood as referring to the "heart" (implied from verse 15) of any individual who is reading the Old Covenant. Paul's argument has both corporate and individual implications. The spiritual blindness affects individuals within the nation of Israel, and therefore, the turning to the Lord is a personal act of conversion. However, the hope for a collective turning of Israel to their Messiah is also a significant biblical theme, as seen in passages like [Romans 11:25-27](/romans/11-25-27 "Romans 11:25-27 - The Fullness of the Gentiles and All Israel Saved"). So, while primarily individual, it carries implications for the nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Second Corinthians 3:16 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ as the revealer of God's glory and the end of the Law. The "veil" that obscures understanding is a testament to humanity's fallen state, unable to fully grasp divine truth apart from divine intervention. Christ, however, is the very **Image of the invisible God** ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")), the one in whom the fullness of God dwells bodily ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of Deity in Christ")). When a heart "turns to the Lord," it is turning to Jesus, recognizing Him as the promised Messiah who perfectly fulfilled the Law and prophets ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfilled the Law")). His life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate revelation of God's character and redemptive plan. The removal of the veil signifies the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent ([John 16:7-15](/john/16-7-15 "John 16:7-15 - The Work of the Holy Spirit")), to guide believers into all truth and to reveal the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - God's Light in Our Hearts")). Thus, Christ is not only the object of our turning but also the means by which the veil is removed, granting us liberty and an unveiled gaze upon God's transforming glory ([2 Corinthians 3:17-18](/2_corinthians/3-17-18 "2 Corinthians 3:17-18 - Liberty and Transformation")).

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

Exodus 34:34

But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel [that] which he was commanded.

Isaiah 25:7

And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.

Isaiah 29:18

And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

John 6:45

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

John 6:46

Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

Jeremiah 31:34

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Romans 11:23

And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.