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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλ'
But
G235
ἀλλ'
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἐπωρώθη
were blinded
G4456
ἐπωρώθη
were blinded
Strong's:
G4456
Word #:
2 of 26
to petrify, i.e., (figuratively) to indurate (render stupid or callous)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νοήματα
minds
G3540
νοήματα
minds
Strong's:
G3540
Word #:
4 of 26
a perception, i.e., purpose, or (by implication) the intellect, disposition, itself
αὐτὸ
the same
G846
αὐτὸ
the same
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 26
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
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σήμερον
this day
G4594
σήμερον
this day
Strong's:
G4594
Word #:
9 of 26
on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὸ
the same
G846
αὐτὸ
the same
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 26
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
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διαθήκης
testament
G1242
διαθήκης
testament
Strong's:
G1242
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
μένει
remaineth
G3306
μένει
remaineth
Strong's:
G3306
Word #:
19 of 26
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
μὴ
untaken
G3361
μὴ
untaken
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
20 of 26
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ὅ
G3739
ὅ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
22 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.Romans 11:25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.Isaiah 44:18They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.Acts 16:14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.Acts 13:15And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.Jeremiah 5:21Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:Matthew 16:17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.Matthew 13:11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.John 12:40He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How has your understanding of the Old Testament been transformed by seeing it through the lens of Christ?
- What "veils"—preconceptions, traditions, or biases—might still be preventing you from fully grasping biblical truth?
- How can you pray for and witness to those who read Scripture but remain "veiled" to its testimony about Jesus?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.