But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
Parallel translations
- WEB Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish;
- BSB And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
- 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 preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
- 2 Cor 3:14But 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 Th 2:9–11Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
- 2 Cor 2:15–16For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
- Matt 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
- 2 Cor 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
- Rom 2:16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
- 1 Th 1:5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
- 1 Tim 1:11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
- 2 Cor 2:12Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of 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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