King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 3:14 Mean?

2 Corinthians 3:14 in the King James Version says “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testamen...” — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

2 Corinthians 3:14 · KJV

Context

12

Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: plainness: or, boldness

13

And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

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.

15

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

16

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Paul shifts from historical exposition to present application. The veil that physically covered Moses' face has become a spiritual veil over Jewish minds: their minds were blinded (Greek epōrōthē ta noēmata autōn, ἐπωρώθη τὰ νοήματα αὐτῶν, literally "their thoughts were hardened"). The verb pōroō (πωρόω) means to petrify, harden, or make dull—the same term used of Israel's hardening in Romans 11:7.

Until this day (Greek achri tēs sēmeron hēmeras, ἄχρι τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας) indicates this blindness persisted in Paul's time (and continues). When the old testament (Greek tēs palaias diathēkēs, τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης, "the old covenant" scriptures) is read in synagogues, the same vail remains. Jews read the Torah but cannot see its fulfillment in Christ. However, which vail is done away in Christ (Greek en Christō katargeitai, ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται)—union with Christ removes the veil, enabling one to see the old covenant's true meaning and goal: Christ Himself.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's contemporaries, both Jewish and Christian, grappled with the relationship between the Mosaic law and the gospel. Many Jews rejected Jesus as Messiah partly because they expected a conquering king, not a suffering servant. The veil metaphor explains this: they read the scriptures but cannot perceive their Christological meaning without the Spirit's illumination. Paul himself experienced this veil-removal on the Damascus road (Acts 9). The contrast between veiled synagogue reading and unveiled Christian understanding defines two communities: those who see Christ in Scripture and those who don't.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has your understanding of the Old Testament been transformed by seeing it through the lens of Christ?
  2. What "veils"—preconceptions, traditions, or biases—might still be preventing you from fully grasping biblical truth?
  3. How can you pray for and witness to those who read Scripture but remain "veiled" to its testimony about Jesus?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἀλλ'1 of 26

“But”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐπωρώθη2 of 26

“were blinded”

G4456

to petrify, i.e., (figuratively) to indurate (render stupid or callous)

τὰ3 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νοήματα4 of 26

“minds”

G3540

a perception, i.e., purpose, or (by implication) the intellect, disposition, itself

αὐτὸ5 of 26

“the same”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἄχρι6 of 26

“until”

G891

(of time) until or (of place) up to

γὰρ7 of 26

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

τῆς8 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σήμερον9 of 26

“this day”

G4594

on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)

τὸ10 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αὐτὸ11 of 26

“the same”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

κάλυμμα12 of 26

“vail”

G2571

a cover, i.e., veil

ἐπὶ13 of 26

“in”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῇ14 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀναγνώσει15 of 26

“the reading”

G320

(the act of) reading

τῆς16 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παλαιᾶς17 of 26

“of the old”

G3820

antique, i.e., not recent, worn out

διαθήκης18 of 26

“testament”

G1242

properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)

μένει19 of 26

“remaineth”

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

μὴ20 of 26

“untaken”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἀνακαλυπτόμενον21 of 26

“away”

G343

to unveil

ὅ22 of 26
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τι23 of 26
G5100

some or any person or object

ἐν24 of 26

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Χριστῷ25 of 26

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

καταργεῖται·26 of 26

“vail is done away”

G2673

to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 3:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 3:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 4:3-4Acts 26:18Romans 11:252 Corinthians 4:6Romans 11:7-10Matthew 13:11

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