Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 4:3
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church, defending his apostolic integrity against rivals who question his authority. He has just stated that he preaches openly and without deceit (4:2), and now concedes a paradox about his message's reception.
The words — κεκαλυμμένον (kekalummenon), "concealed," is a perfect passive participle: the gospel is not merely hidden but exists in a sustained state of being veiled. This word links to the veil over Israel's face in 2 Cor 3:14–15.
The thread — The phrase "those who are perishing" (οἱ ἀπολλύμενοι) appears in 1 Cor 1:18, where the cross is "foolishness" to the same group. 2 Cor 4:4 immediately supplies the agent of the veiling: "the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers."
Why it lands — The verse removes the burden of the message's failure from the messenger and places it on the condition of the receiver. It forces the reader to ask whether their resistance to the gospel is an objection to its content or a state of spiritual blindness they have not examined.
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 if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
- 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.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9 The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
- 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
- Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- Romans 2:16 on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.
- 1 Timothy 1:11 that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
- 2 Corinthians 2:12 Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord,