2 Corinthians 3:16-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

In these verses the apostle draws two inferences from what he had said about the Old and New Testament:? I. Concerning the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness or clearness of speech. They ought not, like Moses, to put a veil upon their faces, or obscure and darken those things which they should make plain. The gospel is a more clear dispensation than the law; the things of God are revealed in the New Testament, not in types and shadows, and ministers are much to blame if... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

3:12-18 It is because we possess such a hope that we speak with such freedom. We do not draw a veil over things, as Moses did over his face so that the children of Israel should not gaze at the end of the glory which was doomed to fade away. But their minds were dulled. To this very day the same veil remains, still not drawn aside, when they read the record of the old relationship between God and man, because only in Christ is that veil abolished. Yes, to this day, whenever the books that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:16

Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord ,.... The heart, upon which the veil now is; or the body of the Jewish nation, as in the latter day; when they "shall turn", or "be turned", by the Spirit, power, and grace of God, to the Lord Jesus Christ, and look upon him whom they have pierced, and mourn, and embrace him as the true Messiah and only Saviour: the veil shall be taken away ; the veil of blindness and ignorance, respecting themselves, case, state, and condition, and the way of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is that Spirit ,.... "The Lord", to whom the heart is turned, when the veil is removed, is Jesus Christ; and he is "that Spirit", or "the Spirit": he, as God, is of a spiritual nature and essence; he is a spirit, as God is said to be, John 4:24 he is the giver of the Spirit of God, and the very life and spirit of the law, without whom as the end of it, it is a mere dead letter: or rather as by Moses in 2 Corinthians 3:15 is meant, the law of Moses, so by the "Lord" here may... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:16

When it shall turn to the Lord - When the Israelitish nation shall turn to the Lord Jesus, the veil shall be taken away; the true light shall shine; and they shall see all things clearly. There is an evident allusion here to the case of Moses, mentioned Exodus 34:34 . When he came from the Lord, and spoke to the Israelites, he put the veil over his face; but when he returned to speak with the Lord, then he took off the veil. So, when the Israelitish nation shall return to speak with and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is that Spirit - In 2 Corinthians 3:6 , 2 Corinthians 3:8 , the word το πνευμα , spirit, evidently signifies the Gospel; so called because it points out the spiritual nature and meaning of the law; because it produces spiritual effects; and because it is especially the dispensation of the Spirit of God. Here Jesus Christ is represented as that Spirit, because he is the end of the law for justification to every one that believes; and because the residue of the Spirit is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:16

Verse 16 16.But when he shall have turned to the Lord. This passage has hitherto been badly rendered, for both Greek and Latin writers have thought that the word Israel was to be understood, whereas Paul is speaking of Moses. He had said, that a veil is upon the hearts of the Jews, when Moses is read. He immediately adds, As soon as he will have turned to the Lord, the veil will be taken away. Who does not see, that this is said of Moses, that is, of the law? For as Christ is the end (407) of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 3:17

Verse 17 17.The Lord is the Spirit. This passage, also, has been misinterpreted, as if Paul had meant to say, that Christ is of a spiritual essence, for they connect it with that statement in John 4:24, God is a Spirit. The statement before us, however, has nothing to do with Christ’s essence, but simply points out his office, for it is connected with what goes before, where we found it stated, that the doctrine of the law is literal, and not merely dead, but even an occasion of death. He now,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

The confidence inspired by this ministry and the veil on the hearts of those who will not recognize it. read more

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