Christian Standard Bible
2 Corinthians 4:3
3But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
2 Corinthians 4:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
- New International Version (NIV)And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
Context of 2 Corinthians 4:3
1Therefore, since we have this ministry because we were shown mercy, we do not give up. 2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things, not acting deceitfully or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth. But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 42 Corinthians 4:3 word by word
εἰ δὲ καὶ ἔστιν κεκαλυμμένον τὸ εὐαγγέλιον ἡμῶν, ἐν τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις ἐστὶν κεκαλυμμένον·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 4:3
- Romans 2:16on the day when God judges what people have kept secret, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:5because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance. You know how we lived among you for your benefit,
- 1 Timothy 1:11that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
- 2 Corinthians 2:15For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
- 2 Corinthians 3:14but their minds were hardened. For to this day, at the reading of the old covenant, the same veil remains; it is not lifted, because it is set aside only in Christ.
- Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with every kind of miracle, both signs and wonders serving the lie,
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3But if our Gospel be hid - · Veiled; he refers to the subject that he had treated so particularly in the conclusion of the preceding chapter. If there be a veil on the Gospel, it is only to the wilfully blind; and if any man's heart be veiled that hears this Gospel, it is a proof that he is among the lost, , those who are fully under the power of sin; who have given up themselves to work wickedness; persons who are mere heathens, or live like such, and…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3But if our gospel be hid - Paul here calls it his gospel, because it was that which he preached, or the message which he bore; see note, Romans 16:25. The sense here is, “if the gospel which I preach is not understood; if its meaning is obscure or hidden; if its glory is not seen.” It is “implied” here, that to many the beauty and glory of the gospel was not perceived. This was undeniable, notwithstanding the plainness and fullness with which its truths…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4The good news about Jesus divides people into two groups: those who stay in darkness and those enlightened by God (see Acts 26:18, compare John 3:19–21). God brings people to him, moving them from darkness to the light of his presence (Colossians 1:12–14; 1 Peter 2:9). The god of this world opposes the change the good news brings to people's hearts and minds.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. But if--Yea, even if (as I grant is the case). hid--rather (in reference to 2Co 3:13-18), "veiled." "Hid" (Greek, Col 3:3) is said of that withdrawn from view altogether. "Veiled," of a thing within reach of the eye, but covered over so as not to be seen. So it was in the case of Moses' face. to them--in the case only of them: for in itself the Gospel is quite plain. that are lost--rather, "that are perishing" (1Co 1:18). So the same cloud that was…Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 4:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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