2 Corinthians / Question
Paul says Moses put a veil over his face so the Israelites would not gaze at the outcome of what was fading. He then says a veil remains when the old covenant is read, but it is removed when one turns to the Lord. See 2 Corinthians 3:13–16.
Because Paul and his co-workers have a confident expectation about what their ministry leads to, they speak openly and directly. He contrasts this with Moses’ action of covering his face with a veil. In Paul’s telling, the veil kept the Israelites from staring at “the end” of something that was fading. These verses sit inside Paul’s longer explanation of why his ministry is marked by openness and confidence. Just before, he describes a kind of public clarity rather than secrecy, and he frames the present way of relating to God as having a lasting weight compared to something temporary (2 Corinthians 3:7–11).
Paul links content and communication. Because he and his co-workers “have such a hope,” they speak with “great boldness” (verse 12). Explicitly, the passage presents hope as the reason their speech is open and direct. Paul then contrasts their openness with Moses. Moses “put a veil on his face” (verse 13).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with 2 Corinthians 3:13-16, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
13and not as Moses, who put a veil on his face, that the children of Israel wouldn`t look steadfastly on the end of that which was passing away.
14But their minds were hardened, for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains, because in Christ in passes away.
15But to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.
16But whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.