2 Corinthians 3:15 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 3:15 mean?

2 Corinthians 3:15 says that even now, when the writings of Moses are read aloud, a "veil" still covers the hearts of some listeners, keeping them from truly understanding. Paul is describing a spiritual barrier that remains for certain people when they hear the Jewish Scriptures.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, explaining why many of his fellow Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah when they read the Law of Moses. The "veil" is a metaphor for a lack of spiritual insight or openness. Paul is building on the earlier story of Moses wearing a literal veil after being with God, but here he uses it to talk about an inner blindness that only God can remove.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 3:15

• "καλύμμα" (kalumma, G2571) means "veil" and is used here to describe a covering that hides or blocks understanding, not a physical cloth but a spiritual barrier.
• "ἐπὶ" (epi, G1909) means "upon" and shows that this veil is not just present but specifically rests "upon their heart," emphasizing the deep, inner nature of this barrier.
• "καρδία" (kardia, G2588) means "heart," which in Greek thought often refers to the center of thinking and feeling, not just emotion. The verse is pointing to a deep, inner inability to perceive spiritual truth.

Why 2 Corinthians 3:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that the problem Paul describes is not with the Scriptures themselves, but with the condition of the hearer's heart.
• It connects to Paul's larger point in the chapter about the difference between the old covenant (the Law) and the new covenant (the Spirit), showing why some do not see the fulfillment of the Law in Christ.
• The image of the "veil" helps explain why spiritual understanding is not just about reading or hearing words, but about an inner openness that only God can bring.