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2 Corinthians 3:16

2 Corinthians 3:16 in Multiple Translations

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

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

But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

But when it is turned to the Lord, the veil will be taken away.

But when they turn and accept the Lord, the veil is removed.

Neuertheles when their heart shall be turned to the Lord, the vaile shalbe taken away.

and whenever they may turn unto the Lord, the vail is taken away.

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

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

But when they shall be converted to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.

But when any of them believes in the Lord Jesus, God removes that veil from them.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Corinthians 3:16

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2 Corinthians 3:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK ηνικα δ αν επιστρεψη προς κυριον περιαιρειται το καλυμμα
ηνικα hēnika G2259 when Adv
δ de G1161 then Conj
αν an G302 if Particle
επιστρεψη epistrephō G1994 to turn Verb-AAS-3S
προς pros G4314 to/with Prep
κυριον kurios G2962 lord: God Noun-ASM
περιαιρειται periaireō G4014 to take away Verb-PPI-3S
το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSN
καλυμμα kalumma G2571 veil Noun-NSN
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 2 Corinthians 3:16

ηνικα hēnika G2259 "when" Adv
This word means when or at which time something happens, like in 2 Corinthians 3:15-16. It is used to show a specific point in time. The Bible uses it to describe important events.
Definition: ἡνίκα rel. adv. of time, at which time, when; before αν, with subjc., whensoever: 2Co.3:15-16.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: when See also: 2 Corinthians 3:15; 2 Corinthians 3:16.
δ de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
αν an G302 "if" Particle
The Greek word for 'if' is used to show a condition. It appears in Luke 7, where Jesus says what would happen if a certain condition were met.
Definition: ἄν, conditional particle, which cannot usually be separately translated in English, its force depending on the constructions which contain it (see further, LS, see word; WM, §xlii; M, Pr., 165 ff.; MM, VGT, see word). __1. In apodosis, __(i) with indic, imperfect or aor., expressing what would be or would have been if (εἰ with impf., aor. or plpf.) some condition were or had been fulfilled: Luk.7:39 17:6, Jhn.5:46, Gal.1:10, Mat.12:7 24:43, 1Co.2:8, Act.18:14, 1Jn.2:19, al. The protasis is sometimes understood (as also in cl.): Mat.25:27, Luk.19:23. In hypothetical sentences, expressing unreality, ἄν (as often in late writers, more rarely in cl.) is omitted: Jhn.8:39 15:24 19:11, Rom.7:7, Gal.4:15; __(ii) with opt., inf., ptcp. (cl.; see LS, see word; M, Int., §275; M, Pr., 167:4). __2. In combination with conditional, relative, temporal, and final words; __(i) as in cl., with subj., __(a) in protasis with εἰ, in Attic contr. ἐάν, which see; __(b) in conditional, relative, and temporal clauses (coalescing with ὅτε, ἐπεί, etc.; see: ὅταν, ἐπάν, etc.), ever, soever; __(α) with pres., ἡνίκα, 2Co.3:15; ὃς ἄν, Rom.9:15 (LXX) 16:2, al.; ὅσοι ἄν, Luk.9:5; ὡς ἄν, Rom.15:24 (M, Pr., 167); __(β) with aor., ὃς ἄν, Mat.5:21, 22, 31; ἕως ἄν, until, Mat.2:13, Mrk.6:10, al.; ὡς ἄν, as soon as (M, Pr., 167), 1Co.11:34, Php.2:23. On the frequently use of ἐάν for ἄν with the foregoing words, see: ἐάν; __(ii) in late Gk., when some actual fact is spoken of, with indic.: ὅταν (which see); ὅπου ἄν, Mrk.6:56 (M, Pr., 168); καθότι ἄν, Act.2:45 4:35; ὡς ἄν, 1Co.12:2. __3. in iterative construction, with imperfect and aor. indic. (M, Pr., 167): Act.2:45 4:35, 1Co.12:2. __4. with optative, giving a potential sense to a question or wish: Act.8:31 26:29. __5. Elliptical constructions: εἰ μή τι ἄν (M, Pr., 169), 1Co.7:5; ὡς ἄν, with inf., as it were (op. cit. 167), 2Co.10:9. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 159 NT verses. KJV: (what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever See also: 1 Corinthians 2:8; Luke 9:4; Hebrews 1:13.
επιστρεψη epistrephō G1994 "to turn" Verb-AAS-3S
To turn or revert, either physically or morally, as in Luke 1:16-17 where it means to turn back to God. This verb is used to describe a change in direction or behavior. It can also mean to cause someone to return to a virtuous path.
Definition: ἐπι-στρέφω [very frequently in LXX, chiefly for שׁוּב, in its various senses, also for פָּנָה, etc. ;] __1. trans., to turn about, round or towards, hence metaphorically, to turn, cause to return (to God, virtue, etc.): Luk.1:16-17 (cf. Mal.3:24), Jas.5:19-20. __2. Intrans., __(a) to turn, turn oneself around: Act.16:18; with inf., Rev.1:12; before πρός, Act.9:40; so also pass. (cl.), Mrk.5:30 8:33, Jhn.21:20; metaphorically, of turning to God (see Field, Notes, 246 ff.), ἐπὶ τ. κύριον (θεόν), Act.9:35 11:21 14:15 15:19 26:20; πρὸς τ. θεόν, 1Th.1:9, 2Co.3:16; ἀπὸ σκότους εἰς φῶς, Act.26:18; pass., 1Pe.2:25; __(b) to return (as in MGr.): Luk.8:55, Act.15:36; before ὀπίσω, with inf., Mat.24:18; before εἰς, Mat.12:44, Mrk.13:16, Luk.2:39 17:31; ἐπί, 2Pe.2:22; metaphorically, before ἐπί, Gal.4:9; πρός, Luk.17:4; of moral reform, Mat.13:15, Mrk.4:12, Luk.22:32, Act.3:19 28:27; pass., Mat.10:13 (Cremer, 531, 881).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 36 NT verses. KJV: come (go) again, convert, (re-)turn (about, again) See also: 1 Peter 2:25; John 12:40; James 5:19.
προς pros G4314 "to/with" Prep
A preposition showing direction or relationship, like towards or with something, as seen in Mark 5:11 and John 18:16. This means indicating movement or direction. It's about showing proximity or connection.
Definition: πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative __I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). __II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. __III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. __1. Of place, __(a) after verbs of motion or of speaking and other words with the idea of direction: ἔρχομαι, ἀναβαίνω, πορεύομαι, λέγω, ἐπιστολή, etc., Mat.3:14, Mrk.6:51, Luk.11:5, Jhn.2:3, Act.9:2, al. mult.; metaphorically, of mental direction, hostile or otherwise, Luk.23:12, Jhn.6:52, 2Co.7:4, Eph.6:12, Col.3:13, al.; of the issue or end, Luk.14:32, Jhn.11:4, al.; of purpose, Mat.26:12, Rom.3:26, 1Co.6:5, al.; πρὸς τό, with inf., denoting purpose (cf. M, Pr., 218, 220; Lft., Notes, 131), Mat.5:28, Mrk.13:22, Eph.6:11, 1Th.2:9, al.; __(b) of close proximity, at, by, with: Mat.3:10, Mrk.11:4, Luk.4:11, Act.3:2, al.; after εἶναι, Mat.13:56, Mrk.6:3, Jhn.1:1, al. __2. 2. Of time, __(a) towards (Plat., Xen., LXX: Gen.8:11, al.): Luk.24:29; __(b) for: πρὸς καιρόν, Luk.8:13, 1Co.7:5; πρὸς ὥραν, Jhn.5:35, al.; πρὸς ὀλίγον, Jas.4:14. __3. Of relation __(a) toward, with: Rom.5:1, 2Co.1:12, Col.4:5, 1Th.4:12, al.; __(b) with regard to: Mat.19:8, Mrk.12:12, Rom.8:31, al.; __(with) pertaining to, to: Mat.27:4, Jhn.21:22, Rom.15:17, Heb.2:17 5:1; __(d) according to: Luk.12:47, 2Co.5:10, Gal.2:14, Eph.3:4 4:14; __(e) in comparison with: Rom.8:18. __IV. In composition: towards (προσέρχομαι), to (προσάγω), against (προσκόπτω), besides (προσδαπανάω) . (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 655 NT verses. KJV: about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 2:1; Acts 2:47; 1 Peter 2:4.
κυριον kurios G2962 "lord: God" Noun-ASM
The Greek word for lord or master, used to address God or a person in authority, showing respect and power. In the New Testament, it appears in Matthew 9:38 and Mark 12:9. It signifies a controller or ruler.
Definition: κύριος, -α, -ον (also -ος, -ον), [in LXX (subst.) chiefly for יהוה, also for בַּעַל ,אָדוֹן, etc. ;] having power (κῦρος) or authority; as subst., ὁ κ., lord, master; __1. in general: with genitive of thing(s), Mat.9:38 20:8, Mrk.12:9 13:35, Luk.19:33; τ. σαββάτου, Mat.12:8, Mrk.2:28, Luk.6:5; with genitive of person(s), δούλου, etc., Mat.10:24, Luk.14:21, Act.16:16, al.; absol, opposite to οἱ δοῦλοι, Eph.6:5, 9 al.; of the Emperor (Deiss., LAE, 161), Act.25:26; θεοὶ πολλοὶ καὶ κ. πολλοί, 1Co.8:5; of a husband, 1Pe.3:6; in voc, as a title of respect to masters, teachers, magistrates, etc., Mat.13:27 16:22 27:63, Mrk.7:28, Luk.5:12, Jhn.4:11, Act.9:5, al. __2. As a divine title (frequently in π.; Deiss., LAE, 353 ff.); in NT, __(a) of God: ὁ κ., Mat.5:33, Mrk.5:19, Luk.1:6, Act.7:33, Heb.8:2, Jas.4:15, al.; anarth. (Bl., §46, 6), Mat.21:9, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:17, Heb.7:21, 1Pe.1:25, al.; κ. τ. οὐρανοῦ καὶ τ. γῆς, Mat.11:25; τ. κυριευόντων, 1Ti.6:15; κ. ὁ θεός, Mat.4:7, 10 al.; id. before παντοκράτωρ, Rev.4:8; κ. σαβαώθ, Rom.9:29; (ὁ) ἄγγελος κυρίου, Mat.1:20 2:13, Luk.1:11, al.; πνεῦμα κυρίου, Luk.4:18, Act.8:39; __(b) of the Christ: Mat.21:3, Mrk.11:3, Luk.1:43 20:44, al.; of Jesus after his resurrection (Dalman, Words, 330), Act.10:36, Rom.14:8, 1Co.7:22, Eph.4:5, al.; ὁ κ. μου, Jhn.20:28; ὁ κ. Ἰησοῦς, Act.1:21, 1Co.11:23, al.; id. before Χριστός, Eph.1:2, al.; ὁ κ. ἡμῶν, 1Ti.1:14, Heb.7:14, al.; id. before Ἰησοῦς, 1Th.3:11, Heb.13:20, al.; Χριστός, Rom.16:18; Ἰ Χ., 1Co.1:2, 1Th.1:3, al.; Ἰ. Χ. (Χ. Ἰ) ὁ κ. (ἡμῶν), Rom.1:4, Col.2:6, Eph.3:11, al.; ὁ κ. καὶ ὁ σωτὴρ, 2Pe.3:2; id. before Ἰ. Χ., ib. 18; anarth., 1Co.7:22, 25 Jas.5:4, al.; κ. κυρίων, Rev.19:16; with prep., ἀπὸ (κατὰ, πρὸς, σὺν, etc.) κ., Col.3:24, al. SYN: see: δεσπότης. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 686 NT verses. KJV: God, Lord, master, Sir See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Peter 1:3.
περιαιρειται periaireō G4014 "to take away" Verb-PPI-3S
To take away something that surrounds, like removing a veil or casting off an anchor, as seen in Acts 27:40. It can also mean to expiate or remove sin, as in Hebrews 10:11. This concept is used to describe God's action of removing sin.
Definition: περι-αιρέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for סוּר hi. ;] to take away that which surrounds, take away, take off (τείχη, Hdt., Thuc.; χιτῶνα, Plat.; δακτύλιον, Gen.41:42, cf. σφρηγῖδα, Hdt., ii, 151) : τ. κάλυΜΜα, pass., 2Co.3:16; as nautical term (RV, cast off), ἀγκύρας, Act.27:40; absol., to cast loose: Act.28:13. Metaphorical, to take away entirely: ἐλπίς, pass., Act.27:20; ἁμαρτίας, Heb.10:11.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: take away (up) See also: 2 Corinthians 3:16; Acts 27:40; Hebrews 10:11.
το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSN
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
καλυμμα kalumma G2571 "veil" Noun-NSN
A kalymma is a veil or cover, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3:13-16, hiding something from view.
Definition: κάλυμμα, -τος, τό (καλύπτω), [in LXX: Num.3:25 4:8 ff. (מְכַסֶּה), Exo_34:33 ff. (מַסְוֶה), etc. ;] a covering, veil: 2Co.3:13-16 † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: vail See also: 2 Corinthians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 3:15; 2 Corinthians 3:16.

Study Notes — 2 Corinthians 3:16

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Exodus 34:34 But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would remove the veil until he came out. And when he came out, he would tell the Israelites what he had been commanded,
2 Isaiah 29:18 On that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of the deep darkness the eyes of the blind will see.
3 Isaiah 25:7 On this mountain He will swallow up the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;
4 John 6:45–46 It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me— not that anyone has seen the Father except the One who is from God; only He has seen the Father.
5 Romans 11:23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
6 Jeremiah 31:34 No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”
7 Romans 11:25–27 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. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
8 Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.
9 Deuteronomy 4:30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.
10 Deuteronomy 30:10 if you obey the LORD your God by keeping His commandments and statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

2 Corinthians 3:16 Summary

[When we turn to the Lord, He removes the spiritual veil that blinds us to His truth, and we can begin to understand and experience His love and grace, as seen in John 3:16, where it says that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. This verse reminds us that turning to the Lord is the first step towards spiritual growth and understanding, and that it is never too late to make that turn, as seen in Romans 10:9-10, where it says that if we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart, we will be saved. By turning to the Lord, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who helps us to grow in our faith and to become more like Jesus, as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:18, where it says that we are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the veil that is taken away in 2 Corinthians 3:16?

The veil refers to the spiritual blindness that prevents people from understanding the truth of God's word, as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:14-15, where it is said that the minds of the unbelievers were closed and a veil covered their hearts when Moses was read.

How is the veil taken away according to 2 Corinthians 3:16?

The veil is taken away when anyone turns to the Lord, which means to repent and put their faith in Jesus Christ, as seen in Acts 3:19, where it says to repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped away.

What is the significance of turning to the Lord in 2 Corinthians 3:16?

Turning to the Lord signifies a change of heart and a willingness to follow God, which is essential for spiritual growth and understanding, as seen in Jeremiah 31:33, where God promises to put His law in the minds of His people and write it on their hearts.

Is the veil taken away instantly when someone turns to the Lord?

Yes, according to 2 Corinthians 3:16, the veil is taken away whenever anyone turns to the Lord, which suggests an immediate removal of spiritual blindness, allowing the person to understand and experience God's truth, as seen in 2 Corinthians 4:6, where it says that God shines in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I may be turning away from the Lord, and how can I turn back to Him?
  2. How has my understanding of God's word changed since I turned to the Lord, and what spiritual growth have I experienced?
  3. In what ways can I help others to turn to the Lord and have the veil of spiritual blindness removed from their hearts?
  4. What are some things that I can do to deepen my relationship with the Lord and to continue to walk in the light of His truth?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 3:16

Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord,.... The heart, upon which the veil now is; or the body of the Jewish nation, as in the latter day; when they "shall turn", or "be turned", by the Spirit,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 3:16

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. Parenthetical: of Christians in general.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:16

When it shall turn, may be understood of the whole, or of the generality (at least) of the Jews; when they shall be converted to the faith of Christ, or when any particular person shall be converted to Christ, then the veil shall be taken away; not the veil with which God covered and veiled the mysteries of the gospel, (that was already taken away upon Christ’ s coming in the flesh), but the veil of blindness, which they had drawn over their own souls. Though the light of the gospel shineth clearly, and Christ be unveiled, yet until men, by a true faith, receive Christ, and turn from sinful courses to the obedience of the gospel, they see little or nothing of Christ. The taking away of this veil, and the turning to the Lord, are things done in souls at the same time; therefore nothing is to be concluded here, from the apostle’ s naming the removal of the impediment, after the effect of which that is a cause.

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:16

16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Ver. 16. When it shall turn] Of the Jews’ conversion, and what hinders it.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:16

(16) Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord.—Better, But when it shall turn. The allegorising process is still carried on. Moses removed the veil when he went into the tabernacle to commune with the Lord (Exodus 34:35); so, in the interpretation of the parable, the veil shall be taken away when the heart of Israel shall turn, in the might of a real conversion, to the Lord of Israel. The very word for “turn” is taken from the same context: “Moses called them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation turned to him” (Exodus 34:31).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:16

Verse 16. When it shall turn to the Lord] When the Israelitish nation shall turn to the LORD Jesus, the veil shall be taken away; the true light shall shine; and they shall see all things clearly. There is an evident allusion here to the case of Moses, mentioned Exodus 34:34. When he came from the Lord, and spoke to the Israelites, he put the veil over his face; but when he returned to speak with the Lord, then he took off the veil. So, when the Israelitish nation shall return to speak with and pray to the Lord Jesus, the veil of darkness and ignorance shall be taken away from their hearts; but never before that time. The words seem to imply: 1. That there will be a conversion of the Jews to Christianity; and, 2. That this conversion will be en masse; that a time will come when the whole nation of the Jews, in every place, shall turn to Christ; and then the Gentiles and Jews make one fold, under one Shepherd and Bishop of all souls.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 3:16

16. when it shall turn to the Lord] The A. V. makes (1) Israel’s heart the nominative to the verb in this sentence. Wiclif and the other Protestant translators (2) make Israel itself the nominative, while (3) the Rhemish version makes Moses the nominative, referring to the fact that in the narrative in Exodus 34 he is said in almost the same words as here, to remove the veil when he turns to God. Origen (4) would supply any one. Each rendering is defended by commentators of note, but the first seems preferable. Cf. Romans 11:23; Romans 11:26; Romans 11:32.the vail shall be taken away] The tense in the original is present, not future, and may be interpreted, (1) with Bp. Wordsworth, ‘is in process of removal,’ or perhaps better, (2) with Dean Alford, is there and then removed, i.e. at the moment when the heart turns to the Lord, just as Moses took off the veil when he turned to speak to God. See also Isaiah 25:7. It is to be observed that these words are a quotation of the LXX. of Exodus 34:34, substituting, however, the present for the past tense.

Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 3:16

Nevertheless - This is not always to continue. The time is coming when they shall understand their own Scriptures, and see their true beauty. When it shall turn to the Lord - When the Jewish people shall be converted.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 3:16

16. Nevertheless—St. Paul relieves the dark view with a ray of light.

Sermons on 2 Corinthians 3:16

SermonDescription
Jackie Pullinger Intimacy by Jackie Pullinger In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of attending a conference in South Africa and the challenges of the schedule. Despite feeling exhausted, the speaker allowe
Zac Poonen (Texas 2009) the Holy Spirit Brings New Wine and a New Wineskin by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of God speaking to us every day and our willingness to listen. He shares a powerful testimony of a young man who was once demo
Robert Arthur Genesis 12:1 by Robert Arthur In this sermon, the speaker begins by referencing 2 Corinthians 4:6, which speaks about God shining His light in our hearts to reveal the knowledge of His glory. The speaker then r
Gayle Erwin The Nature of the Father - Part 2 by Gayle Erwin In this sermon, the speaker explores the nature of God as revealed through Jesus and the Old Testament. They highlight passages such as Exodus 34:6, which describe God as compassio
Richard Sipley Man's Problem by Richard Sipley In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of mental blindness and ignorance in people's minds and hearts. He emphasizes that when dealing with others, it is important to u
J.I. Packer Characteristics of Maturity by J.I. Packer Greek Word Studies delves into the meaning of 'anakalupto,' which signifies the unveiling or uncovering by drawing back the veil. Paul uses the analogy of Moses veiling his face to
T. Austin-Sparks Learning Under the Anointing by T. Austin-Sparks T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of learning under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which signifies His absolute lordship over our lives. He explains that true learnin

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