John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 3:16

"But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away." — 2 Corinthians 3:16 (ASV)

But when he shall have turned to the Lord. This passage has until now been poorly translated, for both Greek and Latin writers have thought that the word Israel was to be understood, whereas Paul is speaking of Moses. He had said that a veil is upon the hearts of the Jews, when Moses is read.

He immediately adds, As soon as he will have turned to the Lord, the veil will be taken away. Who does not see that this is said of Moses, that is, of the law? For as Christ is the end of it (Romans 10:4), to which it should be referred, it was turned away in another direction when the Jews shut out Christ from it.

Hence, as in the law they wander into wrong paths, so the law, too, becomes to them confusing like a labyrinth, until it is made to refer to its end, that is, Christ. If, accordingly, the Jews seek Christ in the law, the truth of God will be distinctly seen by them, but so long as they think to be wise without Christ, they will wander in darkness and will never arrive at a right understanding of the law. Now what is said of the law applies to all Scripture—that where it is not taken as referring to Christ as its one aim, it is mistakenly twisted and perverted.