Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthians in the middle of his contrast between the old and new covenants (3:6–18), arguing that the Spirit outshines the letter of the law.
The words — ἐπωρώθη (epōrōthē), "were hardened," is an aorist passive: the hardening was done to them, not something they produced themselves. This passive voice is the hinge of the verse.
The thread — The same hardening appears in Romans 11:25 ("a hardening in part has come"), and the veiled mind recurs in 2 Corinthians 4:3, where the gospel itself is "veiled to those who are perishing."
Why it lands — The verse locates the removal of the veil exclusively in Christ, not in study, effort, or repeated reading. It asks the reader to check whether their engagement with Scripture is under the veil or not.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
- Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
- Romans 11:25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
- Romans 11:7 What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,
- Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.
- John 12:40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- Isaiah 44:18 They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand.
- John 8:12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- Jeremiah 5:21 “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.