What does 2 Corinthians 3:15 mean?

5 3 minutes read

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

Explanation

In 2 Corinthians 3:15, the Apostle Paul refers to an ongoing spiritual condition affecting the hearts of the Israelites when they read the Old Covenant, represented by the writings attributed to Moses in the Torah. The “vail” symbolizes a barrier to understanding and accepting the true meaning and implications of the scriptures, particularly in light of the revelation of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. The veil is mentioned in the context of the story of Moses in Exodus 34:33-35, where Moses put a veil over his face to shield the Israelites from the glory of God after he had spoken with God. Paul uses this image to suggest that there is a metaphorical veil that remains, preventing some Israelites from recognizing the fulfillment of the Law and prophecies in Jesus.

Historical Context

This verse sits within a letter written by Paul to the church of Corinth around 55-57 A.D. The context is Paul’s defense of his ministry against charges by some in the Corinthian community that he is neither genuine nor authoritative as an apostle. Paul is contrasting the glory of the Old Covenant with that of the New Covenant in Christ, which he administers. The historical setting includes the early Christian community’s struggle to define itself against Judaism and in the broader Roman world where different religions and philosophies coexisted and often competed.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse reflects the idea that understanding of God’s will and purposes have been revealed progressively. In the Christian viewpoint, the coming of Christ is seen as the ultimate revelation, fulfilling the prophecies and laws given in the Old Testament. It is suggested that without turning to Christ, the veil remains over the heart, symbolizing a lack of understanding or recognition of Christ as the Messiah.

Jewish interpretation of this passage may differ significantly, not accepting the premise that the veil represents a misunderstanding of Moses’ teachings but instead upholding the continual validity of the Torah without the necessity of Christ for its understanding.

Practical Applications

The principle behind this verse can apply to the need for spiritual discernment and openness to the full message of scripture. For believers, it serves as a reminder to seek understanding of the Bible through the lens of the New Covenant and the teachings of Jesus. It also can be applied more broadly to encourage individuals to be aware of potential biases and barriers that may prevent them from understanding or accepting new information.

Cross-References

Exodus 34:33-35 – Reference to Moses veiling his face after speaking with God.
Luke 24:45 – Jesus opens the minds of the disciples to understand the scriptures.
Romans 11:25 – Mention of a partial hardening of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
Ephesians 4:18 – Describes the state of being darkened in understanding and separated from the life of God.

Language Study

The key word in this verse is “vail” (or veil), which in the original Greek is κάλυμμα (kalymma), meaning something that covers or conceals. The usage of this word is metaphorical, indicating not a physical covering but a spiritual or cognitive barrier that prevents understanding.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparable concepts of a barrier to understanding or enlightenment can be found in various religious traditions. In Gnosticism, for example, there is the concept of an “unknowable” God and the idea that knowledge (gnosis) is necessary to surpass ignorance. In Buddhism, the veil of ignorance (‘avidya’) must be lifted to achieve enlightenment.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the idea of a “vail” over the heart might be understood in terms of cognitive biases and the psychological mechanisms that prevent people from changing deeply held beliefs. These are studied within the fields of cognitive psychology, neurology, and even in the neurotheology that explores the relationship between religious experiences and brain activity.

Commentaries

Scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of this passage. Some emphasize the continuity and fulfillment of the Old Testament in the New, highlighting Paul’s concern for his fellow Israelites to see Christ as the fulfillment of the law. Others may focus on the transformative power of the Gospel that Paul is advocating, characterizing the veil as any barrier to spiritual freedom and enlightenment. Still, others note that Paul is building a case for his authority as a legitimate apostle who preaches this unveiled, glorious Gospel. Commentaries also discuss the broader context of Second Temple Judaism and how early Christian interpretations situated themselves in relation to Jewish understandings of scripture.