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Much of the teaching of this passage is connected with the use of the word "veil".
Moses veiled his face so that Israel should not see the end of the glory that was transient.
Israel wear a veil, not only over their heads when reading the law (as shown in the
illustration), but over their hearts. The teaching of the passage is "veiled" to the ordinary
reader by the translation "open face" in II Cor. 3: 18, where it should read
"unveiled face", as a direct contrast with the veiled face of Israel. Further, the word
"hid" in II Cor. 4: 3 is the word "veiled", and carries the teaching on to its conclusion.
The new translation of II Cor. 4: 3-6 given at the bottom of the chart reveals the
awful truth that Satan fabricates a veil for the spiritual eye out of undispensational truth.
Four times in II Cor. 3: it is stressed that the old covenant was "done away" (or
"abolished"), and out of this, as the epistle to the Galatians reveals, the Evil One made a
veil to hide the fullness of grace that is found in the person and work of Christ. Two
faces are seen in contrast, the face of Moses, and the face of Jesus Christ.
We append the structure of the passage as a supplement to the chart.
II Cor. 2: 17 - 4: 6.
A | 2: 17. | a | Not corrupt the Word of God.
b | Speak in the sight of God.
B | 3: 1-16. THE FACE OF MOSES.--The passing glory.
C | 3: 17, 18. The unveiled face of the believer.--From glory to glory.
A | 4: 1, 2. | a | Not handle deceitfully the Word of God.
b | Commend in the sight of God.
C | 4: 3, 4. The veiled face of the unbeliever.--Glory hidden.
B | 4: 5, 6. THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST.--The glory of God.