THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL LIFE -- Tomorrow:
"But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor 3:15-18, KJV)
THE VEIL UPON THE HEART
" . . . the veil is upon their heart." (2 Cor 3:15)
Other versions read, "a veil lies on their heart" (NKJV), "a veil lies over their heart" (NASB), "a veil covers their heart" (NIV), "a veil lies over their minds" (NRSV), "a veil is upon their heart" (DARBY), "a veil is laid over their hearts" (GENEVA), "their hearts are covered with a veil" (NJB), "their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand" (NLT), "their hearts are blind and they think that obeying the Ten Commandments is the way to be saved" (LIVING), "a covering lies upon their hearts" (IE), and "a veil hangs over their hearts" (William's).
Paul will now describe an experience where the mind and heart are exposed to the truth, yet are not able to perceive it. The point being made is that Israel cannot perceive the Savior in their own Scriptures, even though He has already come and fulfilled a significant percentage of them.
This is the same thing that was being experienced by many of the Corinthians. For example, they were so obtuse concerning the message and benefit of the Lord's Table that God had judged them – at a table that was intended to bless: "For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died" (1 Cor 11:29-30). A veil was also over their hearts! That is why these words were so important to them. They are also very appropriate for our time, though they are rarely heard.
THE VEIL
This refers to the veil of obscurity, not the veil that was over Moses' face. The idea is that something was hidden to the people when Moses was read. The references to the coming Messiah and the New Covenant are the particular points of reference. There was something between the people and the truth, so that it could not be seen. Nor, indeed, could they steadfastly behold those things, or linger long upon them, pondering them in their hearts.
UPON THEIR HEART
Now Paul moves the veil from Moses' face and declares it is over the hearts of the people. Why does he use such language? It is because, as he has already affirmed, the Gospel itself is not veiled (2 Cor 3:12-13). God has plainly declared what has occurred for men, and what can be experienced because of it. Paul said he did not speak with a kind of veil, hiding the truth from the people. Now, if people do not understand, it is not because the Gospel is beyond all understanding, for it is not. If men are saved by believing the record God has given of His Son (1 John 5:10-11), that record cannot be shrouded with a veil, as was Moses' face. The Gospel is not too bright – it is not beyond the perimeter of accessibility!
The real cause of a lack of understanding is not the book, but the heart. It is not because of the translation of Scripture, but because of the lack of translation of the people (Col 1:13). It is not that the words are too difficult, but that the hearts are covered over with a spiritual veil that prohibits the comprehension of the truth.
Supposedly simplified translations cannot change the heart. It requires something more than reading! Those who make a practice of championing watered down and diluted versions of Scripture would spend their time better targeting the conviction of the sinners with Word of the Lord. It is much more plain than some have suggested!
The Jews, while engaged in sacred duties, had an obscuring veil hung over their hearts! They therefore read right past precious shadows of coming realities, and the announcement of good things to come. When Jesus arrived on the scene, religion had become so stilted that some thought it better to engage the Savior concerning technicalities of the Law rather than to seize the kingdom with violence, as others were wont to do (ex, Matt 22:24; John 8:5).
To confirm that it was possible to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of Moses and the Prophets, after seeing and hearing Jesus Philip told Nathaniel, "We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph" (John 1:45). Philip did not have a veil over his heart! Once Nathaniel saw Jesus for himself, he said, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel" (John 1:49). Even the woman at the well, herself a Samaritan and not a Jew, said of Jesus, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" (John 4:29). Because she had "turned to the Lord," she did not have a veil over her heart, and thus saw clearly who He was!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for giving us a Gospel that can be understood.