And even if: despite Paul’s intentions to proclaim the gospel openly (4.2), he concedes that it may be hidden from some people.

Our gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ that Paul and his companions preach. Although Paul says our gospel, this does not mean that their gospel is different from the gospel of other people. Rather the word our shows their personal involvement and commitment to the gospel. Some possible models for translators are “our message” (Contemporary English Version), “the good news” (Barclay), and “the Good News that we preach” (New Century Version). In those languages that must choose between inclusive and exclusive forms of the first person plural pronoun, the word our here should probably be understood as focusing on Paul and his associates as preachers of the Good News.

Veiled: elsewhere in Revised Standard Version this verb is translated “is hidden” (Matt 10.26) and “cover” (Luke 8.16). The idea is that of something concealed from view. This verb in Greek is related to the noun “veil” in 3.13, 14, 15, 16. But it is used here in a figurative sense. For this reason some translate more dynamically: “our gospel is a mystery” (Knox), or “if the good news which we tell is not clear…” (Good News for the World). Another way of avoiding the passive form may be to say “if some people do not understand the Good News we preach”—although this will almost certainly require a restructuring of the rest of the verse.

Those who are perishing: perishing refers to spiritual death, that is, the destruction of the whole person, body and soul. The participle used here is present and is the same as in 2.15. Contemporary English Version “someone who is lost” is therefore perhaps less satisfactory than “those who are on the way to being lost” (Translator’s New Testament) or “those who are on the road to perdition” (Knox).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellingworth, Paul. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .