Topical Encyclopedia The phrase "The Gospel is hid to them that are lost" is derived from 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, where the Apostle Paul addresses the spiritual blindness that prevents some individuals from perceiving the truth of the Gospel. In the Berean Standard Bible, the passage reads: "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."Context and Meaning In this passage, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, defending his ministry and the message of the Gospel against accusations and misunderstandings. He emphasizes the integrity and transparency of his ministry, contrasting it with the deceit and manipulation that characterized some false teachers of the time. The "veiling" of the Gospel refers to the inability of certain individuals to understand or accept the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Spiritual Blindness The concept of spiritual blindness is central to understanding why the Gospel is hidden to some. According to Paul, this blindness is not merely a lack of understanding but is actively caused by "the god of this age," a reference to Satan. This spiritual adversary blinds the minds of unbelievers, preventing them from seeing "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." This blindness is both a judgment and a consequence of persistent unbelief and rebellion against God. The Role of Human Responsibility While Satan plays a role in blinding the minds of unbelievers, human responsibility is also a significant factor. Throughout Scripture, individuals are called to seek God, repent, and believe in the Gospel. The hardening of hearts and the rejection of divine truth are often depicted as willful acts of disobedience. In Romans 1:18-21, Paul explains that people suppress the truth by their wickedness, and as a result, their thinking becomes futile, and their foolish hearts are darkened. The Light of the Gospel Despite the veiling of the Gospel to those who are perishing, the message itself is described as a light that reveals the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. This imagery underscores the transformative power of the Gospel, which brings spiritual illumination and understanding to those who believe. The Gospel is not merely a set of doctrines but a revelation of God's glory and grace through Jesus Christ. Implications for Evangelism The reality that the Gospel is hidden to some does not negate the responsibility of believers to share the message of Christ. On the contrary, it underscores the urgency of evangelism and the need for prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. Believers are called to be faithful witnesses, trusting that God can and will penetrate the darkness with the light of His truth. Conclusion The phrase "The Gospel is hid to them that are lost" serves as a sobering reminder of the spiritual battle that surrounds the proclamation of the Gospel. It highlights the need for divine intervention in the hearts of unbelievers and the responsibility of Christians to faithfully and boldly proclaim the truth of Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Corinthians 4:3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Then Manes Made the Following Reply to Him: and what Manner of God ... The Firstborn. He Severely Reproves Abaelard for Scrutinizing Rashly and ... The Antiquity of the Doctrine Truth Hidden when not Sought After. Mr. Moody and Rev. Marcus Rainsford. On the Perspicuity of the Scriptures I. The Message Heeded Letter vi. Temptation. Again on the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xi. 25, "I Thank Thee, O ... Resources What is the Gospel Coalition? | GotQuestions.orgIs handing out gospel tracts a good evangelism method? | GotQuestions.org What is the gospel? | GotQuestions.org Gospel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Gospel According To the Hebrews Gospel: Called the New Covenant Gospel: Called: Doctrine According to Godliness Gospel: Called: Form of Sound Words Gospel: Called: Glorious Gospel of Christ Gospel: Called: Gospel of Christ Gospel: Called: Gospel of Jesus Christ Gospel: Called: Gospel of Peace Gospel: Called: Gospel of Salvation Gospel: Called: Gospel of the Kingdom Gospel: Called: Ministration of the Spirit Gospel: Called: Mystery of Christ Gospel: Called: Mystery of the Gospel Gospel: Called: Preaching of Jesus Christ Gospel: Called: The Dispensation of the Grace of God Gospel: Called: The Grace of God Gospel: Called: The Kingdom of God Gospel: Called: Word of Christ Gospel: Called: Word of Reconciliation Gospel: Called: Word of Salvation Gospel: Compared to a Householder Gospel: Compared to a Mustard Seed Gospel: Compared to a Pearl of Great Price Gospel: Compared to a Treasure Hidden in a Field Gospel: Compared to Leaven (Yeast) Gospel: Prophecies Relating To Gospel: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Gospel is Called the Dispensation of the Grace of God The Gospel is Called the Doctrine According to Godliness The Gospel is Called the Form of Sound Words The Gospel is Called the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Christ The Gospel is Called the Gospel of God The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Peace The Gospel is Called the Gospel of Salvation The Gospel is Called the Gospel of the Grace of God The Gospel is Called the Gospel of the Kingdom The Gospel is Called the Ministration of the Spirit The Gospel is Called the Mystery of the Gospel The Gospel is Called the Preaching of Jesus Christ The Gospel is Called the Word of Christ The Gospel is Called the Word of Faith The Gospel is Called the Word of God The Gospel is Called the Word of Grace The Gospel is Called the Word of Life The Gospel is Called the Word of Reconciliation The Gospel is Called the Word of Salvation The Gospel is Called the Word of Truth The Gospel is Good Tidings of Great Joy for all People The Gospel is Hid to Them That are Lost The Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation The Gospel: Awful Consequences of not Obeying The Gospel: Be Careful not to Hinder The Gospel: Exhibits the Grace of God The Gospel: Let Him Who Preached Another, be Accursed The Gospel: Life and Immortality are Brought to Light by Jesus Through The Gospel: Ministers Have a Stewardship to Preach The Gospel: Preached Beforehand to Abraham The Gospel: Preached by Christ The Gospel: Preached to Every Creature The Gospel: Preached to The Gentiles The Gospel: Preached to The Jews First The Gospel: Preached to The Poor The Gospel: Preached Under the Old Testament The Gospel: Profession of, Attended by Afflictions The Gospel: Promises to Sufferers The Gospel: Rejection of, by Many, Foretold The Gospel: Rejection of, by the Jews, a Means of Blessing to The The Gospel: Saints Have Fellowship In The Gospel: Testifies to the Final Judgment The Gospel: The Knowledge of the Glory of God is By The Gospel: There is Fulness of Blessing In The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Adhere to the Truth of The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Earnestly Contend for the Faith of The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Have Their Conversation Becoming The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Live in Subjection To The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should not be Ashamed of The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Sacrifice Friends and Property For The Gospel: Those Who Receive, should Sacrifice Life Itself For Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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