2 Corinthians 3:14

But their minds were blinded They neither obeyed the Law when it was given, nor would cease to obey it when it was superseded. The word rendered blindedproperly signifies hardened, and is so translated in Mark 6:52; Mark 8:17; John 12:40; and in the margin of Romans 11:7 (where the text gives the same translation as here). See also Ephesians 4:18. The rendering blindedis justified by the fact that many cases of what is called cataract are attributable to the hardening of the crystalline lens of the eye into a chalky substance, a process for which the Greek word here used is a proper equivalent. Our version here follows Tyndale. Wiclif has but the wittis of hem ben astonied, and the Rhemish but their senses were dulled. For the word translated mindssee note on ch. 2 Corinthians 2:11. Cf. Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:14, &c., and ch. 2 Corinthians 4:4. The word butimplies that in consequence of the condition of the Israelites the Apostle's plainness of speech was, to them at least, of no avail.

remaineth the same vail untaken away Most modern commentators, and some ancient ones, e.g. Chrysostom, take the words rendered untaken awaywith what follows, and translate the same veil remaineth at the reading of the old covenant, it not being discovered that it is done away in Christ. The reasons for this rendering are (1) that it is not the veilbut the old covenantwith its glories which is -done away in Christ," (2) that St Paul uses anotherword in the original to signify the taking away of the veil, and (3) that the hardness of the hearts of the Israelites, and not the doing away of the veil in Christ, is the reason the veil is not removed. This hardness of heart prevented them (1) from seeing that the Mosaic was a temporary covenant, and (2) that it was rendered unnecessary by the coming of Christ. See Acts 6:11; Acts 6:13; Acts 7:57; Acts 13:45; Acts 14:2; Acts 21:20-21, &c.; 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16. The word here translated -untaken away" is translated -open," i.e. -unveiled" in 2 Corinthians 3:18.

in the reading of the old testament The words old covenant(see note on 2 Corinthians 3:6) refer, as 2 Corinthians 3:15 shews, not to the books we now include in the Old Testament, but to the books of Moses. It could hardly be said that to the prophets the abrogation of the Old Testament in Christ was a thing unknown. See Jeremiah 31:31 above cited. For the regular reading of the books of the Law in the synagogue, see Acts 13:15; Acts 15:21. The prophets were also read, as we learn from the former passage (and also Acts 15:27) and Luke 4:17.