2 Corinthians 4:3

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

But {G1161} if {G1499} our {G2257} gospel {G2098} be {G2076} hid {G2572}, it is {G2076} hid {G2572} to {G1722} them that are lost {G622}:

So if indeed our Good News is veiled, it is veiled only to those in the process of being lost.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish:

2 Corinthians 4:3 is a profound statement by the Apostle Paul, emphasizing the clarity and inherent openness of the Christian gospel while simultaneously explaining why some people fail to grasp its truth.

Context of 2 Corinthians 4:3

This verse comes within Paul's defense of his apostolic ministry and the integrity of the gospel he preached. In 2 Corinthians 4:2, Paul states that he has "renounced the hidden things of dishonesty," indicating his transparent and honest approach to ministry, unlike some false teachers in Corinth. Therefore, if the gospel he preaches seems obscure or incomprehensible, the fault does not lie with the message itself or its messenger, but with the spiritual condition of the hearer. This sets the stage for the explanation in the following verse, 2 Corinthians 4:4, which reveals who is responsible for this spiritual blindness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Clarity of the Gospel: Paul asserts that the gospel itself is not inherently obscure or complex. It is a clear and simple message about salvation through Christ. The problem lies not with the light, but with those who cannot or will not see it.
  • Spiritual Blindness: The phrase "if our gospel be hid" points to a spiritual inability to perceive divine truth. This isn't about intellectual capacity but a spiritual veil over the heart and mind, preventing comprehension of God's saving grace.
  • The State of Being "Lost": The KJV term "lost" comes from the Greek word apollymenois (ἀπολλυμένοις), which means "those who are perishing" or "doomed to destruction." It describes individuals who are spiritually dead, separated from God, and on a path towards eternal ruin. For them, the light of the gospel, which offers life and salvation, remains hidden because they are already in a state of spiritual darkness. This concept of being lost is foundational to understanding the need for the gospel, as Christ himself came to seek and to save that which was lost.

Linguistic Insights

The word "hid" (κάλυμμα - kalymma or ἀποκρύπτω - apokrypto implied by the context) refers to something veiled or concealed. In Paul's thought, it echoes the spiritual veil over the hearts of the Israelites when reading the Old Testament, a theme he explores further in 2 Corinthians 3:14. This veil is not placed by God to obscure the truth; rather, it is a consequence of unbelief and spiritual resistance. The gospel is not hidden *by* God; it is hidden *to* those who are perishing because of their spiritual condition and the influence of the "god of this world" mentioned in the subsequent verse.

Practical Application and Reflection

This verse offers several important applications for believers today:

  1. Clarity in Proclamation: It reminds us that the gospel message itself is clear and powerful. Our task is to present it faithfully and simply, trusting in the Holy Spirit to illuminate hearts.
  2. Understanding Unbelief: When people reject or fail to understand the gospel, it's often not due to a flaw in the message, but a spiritual condition. This perspective can foster compassion rather than frustration.
  3. Prayer for the Lost: Recognizing that spiritual blindness is a state of being "lost" underscores the urgency of prayer for those who have not yet believed. We pray that God would remove the veil and open their eyes to the glorious light of Christ, who is the image of God (as seen in Colossians 1:15).
  4. Self-Examination: For believers, it serves as a reminder to continually seek spiritual clarity and avoid anything that might obscure the truth of the gospel in our own lives or ministries.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:14

    But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:18

    For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9

    [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:11

    And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

  • 2 Corinthians 2:15

    For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

  • 2 Corinthians 2:16

    To the one [we are] the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who [is] sufficient for these things?

  • Matthew 11:25

    ¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

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