What are the four truths that Paul wanted to communicate through his use of veil imagery?  We should share the gospel openly and confidently (= referent #1). Jews who don’t believe in Jesus misunderstand the main point of the Law (= referent #2).  Believers in Jesus are being transformed by the glory of God (= referent #3). Unbelievers have been blinded by Satan (= referent #4). 

What does the apostle Paul mean when he uses the word “veil” in 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:3?

For years I didn’t really understand 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:3 because I was looking for a single referent for the veil imagery in the passage. Some time ago, though, I realized that a key to understanding the passage is to acknowledge that Paul keeps shifting the referent as he moves through this section of his letter to the Corinthians. In a span of ten verses, Paul uses the word “veil” four times along with the adjectives “unveiled” and “veiled” (once each). But what is Paul referring to when he utilizes veil imagery? Here’s the passage, with veil language bolded:

^3:12Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, ¹³ not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. ¹⁴ But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵ Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. ¹⁶ But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. […skipping 4:1-2 since no “veil” imagery is found in those verses…] ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ In their case the god of this world 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 Cor 3:12-4:3).

A key to understanding Paul’s use of the veil in this passage is to acknowledge that he shifts the referent (= the thing he is referring to) each time he mentions it.

But first a bit of background. Why does Paul use the image of a veil in the first place? Paul is drawing upon something that happened to Moses during the time the children of Israel were camping out at the base of Mount Sinai. Exodus 34:29-35 explains that when Moses came down from the mountain after receiving the Law tablets, his face shone with the glory of the Lord. This freaked the people out. So Moses decided that he would wear a veil over his face when he was with people. But whenever he went to speak with God, he would take the veil off.

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