The figure of the veil, which covered the face of Moses, and which prevented Israel

from perceiving the truth when they read the Old Covenant, is carried in II Cor. iii 18

and 4: 3, 4 by the Apostle, but because the A.V. reads `open' face, and `hid', the reader

is not so conscious that the figure persists.

There are a number of different Greek words that can be translated `open', some of

which are used by Paul in his epistles to the Corinthians. He speaks of an opened door,

and an opened mouth, of speaking boldly (which is elsewhere translated `openly'), of

making the truth manifest (again using a word, the root of which is elsewhere translated

`openly'). None of these are employed however in II Cor. 3: 18. The word there found

is anakalupto. Now this selfsame word is found nowhere else in the New Testament than

in verse 14 where it is translated `untaken away' and refers to the veil over the heart and

mind of Israel. This restores the Apostle's connection and enables us to perceive his

argument. It also emphasizes the need there is to allow Paul to speak for himself lest, by

our translations, we too `veil' the truth. Here are the various combinations of kalupto in

the N.T.

Kalumna is a veil (II Cor. 3: 13, 14, 15, 16).

Kalupto is to veil. This word is translated cover and hide and is found in

IICor.iv.3 "If our gospel be hid".

Apokalupto is to unveil, or reveal, and occurs 26 times.

Apokalupsis is the unveiling, the Apocalypse, the Revelation and is used of the

Second Coming of the Lord.

Anakalupto is to unveil (II Cor. 3: 14, 18).

Akatakaluptos is to be unveiled (I Cor. 11: 5, 15) not merely to be uncovered. As

one writer says, a wisp of tulle worn on the head is in no sense obedience

to the injunction not to be `unveiled'.

Epikalumna is a veil drawn over, a cloke (I Pet. 2: 26).

Epikalupto is to veil over (Rom. 4: 7).

Parakalupto is to veil beside, to screen (Luke 9: 45).

Perikalupto is to draw a veil about, to blindfold (Mark 14: 65; Luke 22: 64;

Heb. 9: 4).

It will be perceived that this root word is used in many combinations, but that in most

cases the idea is of hiding from view, whether through modesty, mercy or malignity. The

LXX version of Isa. 60: 2 uses kalupto when speaking of the darkness that covers the

earth, which will only be dispersed by the appearing of the glory of the Lord. In contrast,

therefore with Israel, the Apostle speaks of those who are blessed under the New

Covenant as those with `unveiled face'. These unveiled ones are said to behold as in a

glass the glory of the Lord, and that this glory which they behold changes them `from