2 Corinthians 3:12-16 (WEL) Seeing that we have such hope, we speak very bluntly. 13 Not like Moses, who put a veil over his face, so the children of Israel wouldn’t stare at that which was going to fade away. 14 Their minds were closed, for even to this day that same veil remains in place when the Old Covenant is read. That veil is removed in Christ. 15 Indeed, when Moses is read, this veil is over their hearts. 16 Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
V12 Seeing that we have such hope, we speak very bluntly.
Hope is expectation. We have hope because of the promises of God. See Romans 5:5, Romans 15:4, and 1 Peter 3:15. His promises always come true, which gives us great confidence. All that we have is because Jesus Christ stimulates us to be truthful. We must never be ashamed of Jesus. See Acts 4:31 and 1 Thessalonians 2:2.
V13 Not like Moses, who put a veil over his face, so the children of Israel wouldn’t stare at that which was going to fade away.
We are to be bold; we are to have plain, understandable speech; we are not to suppress our faith. Moses needed to veil himself.
(NKJV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Notes) “Some may have exalted Moses and the law over apostolic ministry because God confirmed the old covenant with judgments on Egypt and theophanies on Mount Sinai; the new covenant, while attested with signs and wonders, transforms from within. God’s law, always meant to be in the heart (Deuteronomy 5:29; 30:14), would finally be there fully (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The new covenant thus offered greater glory than what Moses beheld on Mount Sinai.”
V14 Their minds were closed, for even to this day that same veil remains in place when the Old Covenant is read. That veil is removed in Christ.
God opens the mind to understand, but people refuse and reject the truth (Romans 1:18-21). God can and does remove the veil, the darkness, the lack of understanding, for all people at some place and at some time to know the truth.
V15 Indeed, when Moses is read, this veil is over their hearts.
This refers to the Torah reading in the synagogues. The meaning is hidden from them because when they heard, God opened their hearts and minds to the truth (Acts 16:14), but they rejected it.
V16 Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
God takes this veil of ignorance and foolishness away when we believe the Gospel and place our faith in Jesus Christ alone. Removing the veil is the work of the Holy Spirit.
We learn:
- Some differences between the Old Covenant (Mosaic Law) and the New Covenant.
- The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the Scripture.
Questions:
- Are you trying to earn your salvation and favor with God by keeping God’s laws?
- Have you believed and trusted in Jesus Christ for your salvation?