II Corinthians 4:3

But if--Yea, even if (as I grant is the case). hid--rather (in reference to Co2 3:13-18), "veiled." "Hid" (Greek, Col 3:3) is said of that withdrawn from view altogether. "Veiled," of a thing within reach of the eye, but covered over so as not to be seen. So it was in the case of Moses' face. to them--in the case only of them: for in itself the Gospel is quite plain. that are lost--rather, "that are perishing" (Co1 1:18). So the same cloud that was "light" to the people of God, was "darkness" to the Egyptian foes of God (Exo 14:20).

In this chapter we have an account, I. Of the constancy of the apostle and his fellow-labourers in their work. Their constancy in declared (Co2 4:1), their sincerity is vouched (Co2 4:2), an objection is obviated (Co2 4:3, Co2 4:4), and their integrity proved (Co2 4:5-7). II. Of their courage and patience under their sufferings. Where see what their sufferings were, together with their allays (Co2 4:8-12), and what it was that kept them from sinking and fainting under them (Co2 4:13 to the end).

4:3-4 The Good News divides people into two categories: those who remain in darkness and those who are enlightened by God (see Acts 26:18, cp. John 3:19-21). God’s action in bringing people to himself is a movement from a realm governed by darkness to the light of God’s presence (Col 1:12-14; 1 Pet 2:9). The god of this world fights against the change that the Good News brings to people’s hearts and minds.