A veil covers their hearts
2 Corinthians 3:15-18; Gazing at the Lord, we become more and more like Him, through the freedom given to us through the Holy Spirit.
“Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:15-18 NIV
There is a popular contemporary Christian song that uses part of 2 Corinthians 3:17 as a catchy refrain — “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” — so when I saw those words in today’s random Bible verse, I knew I would have to research this for Heaven on Wheels.
This part of Paul’s second epistle to the church in Corinth is focused on explaining the difference between the old covenant between man and God — the covenant of Moses and the Israelites — and the new covenant that took its place at the death of Christ. The new covenant is described in Luke 22:20 (“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”), 1 Corinthians 11:24 (“In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.””), Mark 14:24 (““This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.”), and Matthew 26:28 (“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”). The new covenant is celebrated and commemorated whenever Christians take communion.
The first verse (2 Corinthians 3:15) is referring to the veil that Moses wore after his meetings with God, used to protect the people of Israel from his “radiant face” that was still glowing with the glory of God. Paul is saying that the Jewish people still see God through a figurative veil that keeps them from experiencing His glory directly. In the very next verse (2 Corinthians 3:16), Paul explains that by opening their hearts to Jesus, they take away that veil. He knows this is true, because he (as Saul) was veiled to the superiority and glory of Jesus at one point in his life.
David Guzik of Enduring Word says of 2 Corinthians 3:16:
i. Many Christians with a heart to preach to their Jewish friends wonder why it is rarely so simple as just showing them that Jesus is the Messiah. This is because a veil lies on their heart. Unless God does a work in them so they turn to the Lord and have the veil taken away, they will never see the fading glory of Moses’ covenant and the surpassing glory of Jesus and the new covenant.
ii. Of course, it could be said that the Jews are not the only ones with a veil… on their heart. Gentiles also have “veils” that separate them from seeing Jesus and His work for us clearly, and Jesus is more than able to take those veils away. This points to the essential need of prayer in evangelism. It has been rightly said that it is more important to talk to God about men than it is to talk to men about God, but we can do both of these important works.
2 Corinthians 3:17 begins by reminding the readers of the epistle that we have the Holy Spirit, who is one with the Father and the Son. What is this freedom Paul speaks of? When Moses went into the presence of God, he had the freedom to take off the veil. With the Holy Spirit as our advocate, we have the freedom of access to God. That freedom is from the Mosaic law, but also freedom from sin, death and hell. 17th century theologian Matthew Poole referred to this as “a liberty from that blindness and hardness which is upon men’s hearts, until they have received the Holy Spirit”1
These verses reach a lofty peak in 2 Corinthians 3:18. When we turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away from our hearts and faces, and we see God’s glory in all of its splendor. Gazing at the Lord, we become more and more like Him, through the freedom given to us through the Holy Spirit.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Today’s prayer is from Knowing Jesus:
Heavenly Father, thank You that I am a full and equal member of the Church and that by Your grace I was baptised into the Body of Christ at my salvation. Thank You that I can partake of the same spiritual benefits that have been promised to all Your children. Thank You for the gifts, graces, benefits, and ministry You have seen fit to give to me, by Your grace. I pray that I may be a willing and obedient member of Christ's Body and fulfil all the work You have prepared for me to do, to Your praise and glory. This I ask in Jesus' name and for His eternal glory, AMEN.
Scripture quotations taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica US, Inc.®. Used by permission.
Quotations from Enduring Word used with written permission of the author.
Poole, Matthew "A Commentary on the Holy Bible" Volume 3 (Matthew-Revelation) (London: Banner of Truth Trust, 1969)
I love that song. Freedom certainly. ❤️🙏🎶