New Living Translation
2 Corinthians 4:3
3If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people 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 God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. 2We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. 4Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 5You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants 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 2:16And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:5For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.
- 1 Timothy 1:11that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
- 2 Corinthians 2:15Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.
- 2 Corinthians 3:14But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ.
- Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.
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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