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

2 CORINTHIANS 3:16KJV
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2 Corinthians 3:16 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 3:16 mean?

2 Corinthians 3:16 says that when someone turns to the Lord, the barrier that keeps them from understanding or seeing spiritual truth is removed. The verse uses the image of a "vail" being taken away, meaning that clarity and openness come when a person turns toward God.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, explaining how people can be spiritually blinded or unable to see the full truth of God’s message. He uses the picture of a veil, like the one Moses wore, to describe how some people’s hearts or minds are covered. Paul assures the Corinthians that this covering is lifted when someone genuinely turns to the Lord.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 3:16

  • "Turn" (ἐπιστρέψῃ, epistrepsē): This Greek word means to turn back or return, often with the sense of changing direction or repenting. Here, it highlights a personal, intentional movement toward the Lord.
  • "Vail" (κάλυμμα, kalumma): This word means a covering or veil. Paul uses it as a metaphor for something that hides or blocks understanding, not just a physical cloth.
  • "Away" (ἀναιρεῖται, anaireitai): This word means to take away, remove, or lift up. The Greek suggests a complete removal, not just a partial uncovering, emphasizing that the obstacle is fully gone when someone turns to the Lord.

Why 2 Corinthians 3:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that spiritual understanding is not about human effort or special knowledge, but about turning to God himself.
  • Paul connects this idea to the story of Moses, showing that the "veil" is not just an Old Testament image but a present reality for anyone who has not turned to the Lord.
  • The verse sets up the contrast between the old covenant (law and veiling) and the new covenant (openness and freedom in Christ), which is a major theme in this part of 2 Corinthians.

Where else these words appear

“when” Greek G2259 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

“vail” Greek G2571 · used in 4 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
  • 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.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

“away” Greek G4014 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
  • Acts 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
  • Hebrews 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

“turn” Greek G1994 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 9:22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
  • Luke 8:55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
  • Acts 15:36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.