New English Translation
2 Corinthians 4:3
3But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only 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, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged. 2But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing, 4among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ 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 will judge the secrets of human hearts, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:5in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).
- 1 Timothy 1:11This accords with the glorious gospel of the blessed God that was entrusted to me.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.
- 2 Corinthians 2:15For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing –
- 2 Corinthians 3:14But their minds were closed. For to this very day, the same veil remains when they hear the old covenant read. It has not been removed because only in Christ is it taken away.
- 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 little children.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders,
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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