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InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
2 Cor C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13
2 Cor 3 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V12 V13 V15 V16 V17 V18
OET (OET-LV) But was_hardened the thinking of_them.
For/Because until the today day, the same veil at at_the public_reading of_the old covenant is_remaining, not being_unveiled that in chosen_one/messiah it_is_being_nullified.
OET (OET-RV) But their thinking was inflexible because even until this very day, the same veil remains during the public reading of the Hebrew scriptures—it’s not opened up because it’s only Messiah that nullifies it.
The false teachers in Corinth were Jews (11:22). In this section, Paul wrote about some of the false teachings of these men. Since they were Jews, Paul referred to people and events in the Old Testament, such as the tablets of stone (3:3), Moses (3:7), and Moses’ veil (3:13). They probably brought letters from other false teachers who said the false teachers in Corinth taught truthfully (3:1–3). The false teachers taught that believers must obey the Jewish laws. But Paul said that believers follow the new covenant with Jesus and not the old covenant with the Jews (3:14). He also spoke against their secret and shameful ways and said that they corrupted God’s word (4:2). Throughout this section Paul also encouraged the believers to follow Jesus.
Other examples of headings for this section are:
The Ministry That Comes From Christ Is Greater Than Moses’ Ministry (GW)
The new covenant is greater than the law of Moses
But their minds were closed.
But their thinking was made dull/clouded,
But they became insensitive to what God wanted them to know,
their minds were closed: This clause is passive. Some languages must use a clause that is not passive. If that is true in your language, use an intransitive clause.
Some scholars think that Satan makes their minds dull (4:3–4). Other scholars think that God makes their minds dull (Romans 9:13–14). And other scholars think that the people themselves cause their own minds to become dull because of their disobedience. If possible, do not say who made their minds dull. For example:
their minds became closed (GW)
their thinking became clouded
their ways of thinking were blocked
their minds/heads became hard/dense
were closed: Here the Greek word that the BSB translates as were closed refers to causing something to not respond. Many Jews did not respond to the truth in the Old Testament about the Christ. See the examples above.
For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant.
for to this day the same veil continues to dull their thinking when the old covenant/promise/agreement is read.
because from then until now the same dullness remains like a veil whenever someone reads the old covenant.
For: This conjunction introduces an explanation of their minds being dull.
to this day: This phrase refers to the time Paul wrote this letter. For example:
until this very day (NJB)
the same veil remains: The phrase the same veil refers figuratively to their minds being dull (3:14a). In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to an actual veil. If that is true in your language, you may want to:
Explain in your translation. For example:
the same veil of dullness remains
the same dullness that is like a veil remains
Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
The phrase “the same veil” refers figuratively to their minds being dull regarding the truth about the Christ in the Old Testament.
at the reading of the old covenant: The BSB translates the Greek phrase here literally. Some English versions use a passive clause here, but other English versions use an active clause. For example:
when the old covenant is read (NIV)
when they read the old covenant (RSV)
the old covenant: This refers to the agreement or contract that God made with the Israelites in the Old Testament (Exodus 19:3–8). An important part of that agreement/contract is the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17). In some languages people will not know what this phrase refers to. If so, you may want to include a footnote to explain. An example footnote is:
This refers to the agreement that God made with the Jews in the Old Testament (Exodus 19:3–8). Part of that agreement is the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1–17).
covenant: This word refers to an agreement or contract. God made the contract and people must accept it or reject it. See how you translated this word in 3:6.
It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed: The reason comes after the result. In some languages it is more natural to have the reason first. For example:
14dOnly in Christ is the veil taken away, so 14cit has not been removed for those who continue to follow the old covenant
It has not been lifted,
That veil has not been removed,
God has not removed it,
It has not been lifted: As 3:14d explains, God only lifts the closed veil when an Israelite believes in Jesus. Then he can understand the truth about the Christ in the Old Testament. For those who still follow the old covenant, the veil remains. For example:
that same veil remains unlifted (RSV)
This clause is passive. God removes the veil when an Israelite believes. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
God has not removed it
because only in Christ can it be removed.
because only through Christ is it removed.
because God only removes the dullness when they believe in Christ.
only in Christ can it be removed: This clause indicates that when an Israelite believes in Jesus, only then God removes the veil of dullness. Other ways to translate this clause are:
only through Christ is it taken away (RSV)
the veil is only removed when they believe in Christ
This clause is passive. God removes the veil. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:
God only removes the veil when they believe in Christ
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast
ἀλλὰ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἐπωρώθη τά νοήματα αὐτῶν ἄχρι Γάρ τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας τό αὐτό κάλυμμα ἐπί τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει μή ἀνακαλυπτόμενον ὅτι ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται)
Here, the word But could introduce a contrast between: (1) being able to “look intently” and having hardened minds. Alternate translation: [But instead of looking intently,] (2) what Moses did (veiling his face) and what the Israelites did (have hardened minds). Alternate translation: [In contrast to Moses,]
Note 2 topic: writing-pronouns
τὰ νοήματα αὐτῶν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἐπωρώθη τά νοήματα αὐτῶν ἄχρι Γάρ τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας τό αὐτό κάλυμμα ἐπί τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει μή ἀνακαλυπτόμενον ὅτι ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται)
Here, the word their refers to “the sons of Israel” that Paul mentioned in [3:13](../03/13.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could make explicit to whom the pronoun their refers. Alternate translation: [the minds of the sons of Israel] or [the minds of the Israelites]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
ἐπωρώθη τὰ νοήματα αὐτῶν
˓was˒_hardened (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἐπωρώθη τά νοήματα αὐτῶν ἄχρι Γάρ τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας τό αὐτό κάλυμμα ἐπί τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει μή ἀνακαλυπτόμενον ὅτι ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται)
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If it is possible, avoid stating who did the “hardening,” since Paul is emphasizing the fact that their minds were “hard,” not who did the “hardening.” If you must state who did the action, Paul could be implying that: (1) the Israelites did it to themselves. Alternate translation: [they hardened their minds] or [their minds became hard] (2) God did it to them. Alternate translation: [God hardened their minds] (3) Satan did it to them. Alternate translation: [Satan hardened their minds]
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
ἐπωρώθη τὰ νοήματα αὐτῶν
˓was˒_hardened (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἐπωρώθη τά νοήματα αὐτῶν ἄχρι Γάρ τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας τό αὐτό κάλυμμα ἐπί τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει μή ἀνακαλυπτόμενον ὅτι ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται)
Here Paul speaks as if people’s minds were a soft substance that could be hardened, becoming resistant to change. He speaks in this way to indicate that their minds could not know or understand what was happening, unlike a soft substance that would change when something impacts it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a comparable figure of speech or express the idea plainly. Alternate translation: [they could not realize what was true] or [they could not think properly]
Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases
γὰρ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἐπωρώθη τά νοήματα αὐτῶν ἄχρι Γάρ τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας τό αὐτό κάλυμμα ἐπί τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει μή ἀνακαλυπτόμενον ὅτι ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται)
Here, the word for introduces a further explanation of what Paul has said about how their minds were hardened. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different word or phrase that introduces further explanation. Alternate translation: [since] or [because]
Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
τὸ αὐτὸ κάλυμμα ἐπὶ τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει, μὴ ἀνακαλυπτόμενον
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἐπωρώθη τά νοήματα αὐτῶν ἄχρι Γάρ τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας τό αὐτό κάλυμμα ἐπί τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει μή ἀνακαλυπτόμενον ὅτι ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται)
Here Paul speaks as if a veil kept people from understanding the old covenant when it is “read,” and this veil is not lifted. He speaks in this way to identify the inability of people to understand the old covenant with how Moses’ kept the Israelites from looking at his face with a veil. Just as the veil kept them from seeing the glory on his face, so a veil keeps people from understanding the reading of the old covenant. Since Paul uses this figure of speech to connect what he is saying with what he has said about Moses, you should preserve the metaphor or express the idea with a simile. Alternate translation: [their lack of understanding is a like a veil that remains at the reading of the old covenant, not being lifted]
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure
τὸ αὐτὸ κάλυμμα ἐπὶ τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει, μὴ ἀνακαλυπτόμενον
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἐπωρώθη τά νοήματα αὐτῶν ἄχρι Γάρ τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας τό αὐτό κάλυμμα ἐπί τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει μή ἀνακαλυπτόμενον ὅτι ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται)
Here, the phrase not being lifted could: (1) explain why the veil remains. Alternate translation: [the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant, since it is not lifted] (2) describe the state that remains. Alternate translation: [the same veil is still not lifted at the reading of the old covenant]
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
τὸ αὐτὸ κάλυμμα
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἐπωρώθη τά νοήματα αὐτῶν ἄχρι Γάρ τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας τό αὐτό κάλυμμα ἐπί τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει μή ἀνακαλυπτόμενον ὅτι ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται)
Here, the phrase same veil could refer to: (1) the veil that Moses wore (See: [3:13](../03/13.md)). Alternate translation: [the veil that Moses wore] (2) the veil that hardened their minds. Alternate translation: [the veil that hardened their minds]
Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / possession
ἐπὶ τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἐπωρώθη τά νοήματα αὐτῶν ἄχρι Γάρ τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας τό αὐτό κάλυμμα ἐπί τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει μή ἀνακαλυπτόμενον ὅτι ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται)
Here Paul uses the possessive form to refer to a person reading the old covenant. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. Alternate translation: [when the old covenant is read] or [when they read the old covenant]
Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy
τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης
the ˱of˲_the old covenant
Here, the phrase old covenant refers to the words that contain or describe the old covenant. If it would be helpful in your language, you could refer directly to these words. Alternate translation: [of the message about the old covenant] or [of the words that describe the old covenant]
Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
μὴ ἀνακαλυπτόμενον
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Ἀλλʼ ἐπωρώθη τά νοήματα αὐτῶν ἄχρι Γάρ τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας τό αὐτό κάλυμμα ἐπί τῇ ἀναγνώσει τῆς παλαιᾶς διαθήκης μένει μή ἀνακαλυπτόμενον ὅτι ἐν Χριστῷ καταργεῖται)
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who would do the action, Paul implies that “God” would do it. Alternate translation: [God not lifting it]
Note 12 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result
ὅτι
that
Here, the word because could indicate why: (1) the veil is not “lifted.” Alternate translation: [and it is not lifted, because] (2) the veil remains. Alternate translation: [and the veil remains, because]
Note 13 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
ἐν Χριστῷ
in Christ
Here Paul uses the spatial metaphor in Christ to describe the union of believers with Christ. In this case, being in Christ, or united to Christ, explains why and how the veil is “lifted.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that indicates that being united to Christ leads to the “lifting” of the veil. Alternate translation: [only when a person is united to Christ]
Note 14 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
καταργεῖται
˱it˲_˓is_being˒_nullified
Here, the phrase fading away is the same phrase that Paul used to describe how the “glory” was “fading” from Moses’ face (See: [3:13](../03/13.md)). What Paul means is that the veil disappears or is removed in Christ. If possible, use a word or phrase that reminds your readers of how you translated “fading” in [3:13](../03/13.md). Alternate translation: [is it being abolished] or [is it disappearing]
Note 15 topic: writing-pronouns
καταργεῖται
˱it˲_˓is_being˒_nullified
Here, the word it could refer to: (1) the veil. Alternate translation: [is this veil fading away] (2) the old covenant. Alternate translation: [is this covenant fading away]
OET (OET-LV) But was_hardened the thinking of_them.
For/Because until the today day, the same veil at at_the public_reading of_the old covenant is_remaining, not being_unveiled that in chosen_one/messiah it_is_being_nullified.
OET (OET-RV) But their thinking was inflexible because even until this very day, the same veil remains during the public reading of the Hebrew scriptures—it’s not opened up because it’s only Messiah that nullifies it.
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.