And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
Parallel translations
- WEB Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish;
- KJV But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
- NKJV But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
- NASB And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
- NLT If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If Paul's gospel seems veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. The fault lies in the blinded hearts of unbelievers, not in the message.
Overview
Paul addresses why some reject his clear gospel: a veil remains over those who are perishing. The problem is not obscurity in the message but spiritual blindness in the hearers. This connects back to the veil of chapter 3 and prepares for the explanation that Satan blinds unbelieving minds to the gospel's glory.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 1 Cor 1:18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
- 2 Cor 3:14But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed.
- 2 Th 2:9–11The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
- 2 Cor 2:15–16For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
- Matt 11:25At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
- 2 Cor 4:4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- Rom 2:16on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
- 1 Th 1:5because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.
- 1 Tim 1:11that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
- 2 Cor 2:12Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 4:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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