Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
the Lord—Christ (II Corinthians 3:14, II Corinthians 3:16; II Corinthians 4:5).
is that Spirit—is THE Spirit, namely, that Spirit spoken of in II Corinthians 3:6, and here resumed after the parenthesis (II Corinthians 3:7-16): Christ is the Spirit and "end" of the Old Testament, who giveth life to it, whereas "the letter killeth" (I Corinthians 15:45; Revelation 19:10, end).
where the Spirit of the Lord is—in a man's "heart" (II Corinthians 3:15; Romans 8:9-10).
there is liberty— (John 8:36). "There," and there only. Such cease to be slaves to the letter, which they were while the veil was on their heart. They are free to serve God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:3): they have no longer the spirit of bondage, but of free sonship (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:7). "Liberty" is opposed to the letter (of the legal ordinances), and to the veil, the badge of slavery: also to the fear which the Israelites felt in beholding Moses' glory unveiled (Exodus 34:30; I John 4:18).
Parenthetical: Of Christians in general. He resumes the subject of the ministry, II Corinthians 4:1.
minds—Greek, "mental perceptions"; "understandings."
blinded—rather, "hardened." The opposite to "looking steadfastly at the end" of the law (II Corinthians 3:13). The veil on Moses' face is further typical of the veil that is on their hearts.
untaken away . . . which veil—rather, "the same veil . . . remaineth untaken away [literally, not unveiled], so that they do not see THAT it (not the veil as English Version, but 'THE OLD TESTAMENT,' or covenant of legal ordinances) is done away (II Corinthians 3:7, II Corinthians 3:11, II Corinthians 3:13) in Christ" or, as BENGEL, "Because it is done away in Christ," that is, it is not done away save in Christ: the veil therefore remains untaken away from them, because they will not come to Christ, who does away, with the law as a mere letter. If they once saw that the law is done away in Him, the veil would be no longer on their hearts in reading it publicly in their synagogues (so "reading" means, Acts 15:21). I prefer the former.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 2 Corinthians 3:17:
Isaiah 38:3
Jeremiah 34:17
1 Corinthians 15:45
2 Corinthians 3:13
2 Corinthians 3:18
2 Corinthians 4:1
2 Corinthians 4:3
2 Corinthians 6:6
1 Thessalonians 3:12
2 Thessalonians 3:5
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