2 Corinthians 3:13
And not as Moses, which put a vaile ouer his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly looke to the end of that which is abolished; 2 Corinthians 3:13 (KJV)
This verse is part of the larger passage in 2 Corinthians 3 where the apostle Paul discusses the ministry of the new covenant in contrast to the old covenant. Paul draws a parallel between Moses and the Israelites under the old covenant and the ministry of the apostles under the new covenant.
In the Exodus account (34:33‑35) Moses covered his face after speaking with God on Mount Sinai because his face shone with divine glory. The veil was a physical covering that signified the radiant glory of God reflected on his face. The veil was not described as a symbolic barrier meant to hide a fading glory; rather it marked the presence of God’s glory. The old covenant’s glory, as seen in Moses, was temporary and faded, prompting the use of the veil to prevent the people from seeing the decline.
Paul contrasts this temporary glory associated with the old covenant with the surpassing and permanent glory of the new covenant through Jesus Christ. He explains that the ministry of the new covenant, represented by the apostles, does not require veils or hiddenness. The apostles proclaim the message of salvation openly, without needing to conceal the truth, and therefore no veil is needed.
In 2 Corinthians 3:14 Paul writes that the minds of the Israelites remain veiled even to this day when they read the old covenant, because their hearts are hardened. The veil is described as representing spiritual blindness that remains in the reading of the old testament until Christ removes it. Only in Christ is that veil taken away, allowing true understanding of God’s Word.
This passage highlights the contrast between the old and new covenants, emphasizing the clarity and openness offered by the new covenant compared with the limited access under the old covenant. It underscores the freedom and access believers have in Christ to approach God openly and without hindrance, for in Christ the veil is taken away and the full revelation of God is seen.
