2 Corinthians 3:14
What does 2 Corinthians 3:14 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 3:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 3:14 means
Paul explains why many do not see the new covenant’s glory: “their minds were hardened.” Even now, when the old covenant is read, a veil remains. The problem is not with Moses’ writings but with blinded understanding. Only “in Christ” is the veil removed, because Christ fulfills and completes what the old covenant foreshadowed. Without him, the Scriptures are read yet not truly perceived. This is a sober diagnosis of spiritual blindness and a gracious pointer to the cure. The coming of Christ brings clarity; in him, the temporary gives way to the permanent, and the concealed purpose of the law is revealed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But their minds were made hard: for to this very day at the reading of the old agreement the same veil is still unlifted; though it is taken away in Christ.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but their minds were hardened, for unto this day the same vail at the reading of the Old Covenant doth remain unwithdrawn--which in Christ is being made useless--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But their senses were made dull. For, until this present day, the selfsame veil, in the reading of the old testament, remaineth not taken away (because in Christ it is made void).
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But their thoughts have been darkened, for unto this day the same veil remains in reading the old covenant, unremoved, which in Christ is annulled.
Context
In direct contrast to apostolic openness (vv. 12–13), verse 14 describes a continuing veil over those who read the old covenant without Christ. This prepares for verse 15’s more personal phrasing—the veil lies upon the heart—and for verse 16’s promise that turning to the Lord removes the veil. The flow moves from the fact of blindness to its seat and then to the remedy, culminating in freedom and transformation through the Spirit (vv. 17–18).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 24:25
And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
- Romans 11:7
What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
- Jeremiah 5:21
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; that have eyes, and see not; that have ears, and hear not:
- Isaiah 59:10
We grope for the wall like the blind; yea, we grope as they that have no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the twilight; among them that are lusty we are as dead men.
- Isaiah 26:10
Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness will he deal wrongfully, and will not behold the majesty of Jehovah.
- Isaiah 42:18
Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
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