To Veil or Not to Veil

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Thank you for your input!

I'm a little confused though as the verse says it still remains, so how was it put aside?

From what I see, studied and learned from others, Paul seems to send mixed messages. Not only on this topic, but on others as well.

I think Paul is saying that the veil is removed for those Jews (and gentiles) who have accepted that Jesus is the Messiah, but it remains for those Jews who have not done so.

Critical scholars generally agree that seven of the letters in the New Testament were actually written by Paul. There are later letters that were forged in Paul's name that certainly espouse later perspectives. That is a source of some contradictions. But even regarding the seven letters considered authentic, there's debate about whether and to what extent Paul may sometimes contradict himself, and some of this is certainly due to the fact that all of his extant letters are intended to address specific issues in specific communities (almost always gentile communities that he founded). I think it is best to look for ways to understand his views as generally consistent, allowing for development over time and the variability of the issues being addressed.

For example, מקצת מעשי התורה, a scroll discovered at Qumran but only published in the 1990s has illuminated what Paul may have meant by 'some works of the Law' with respect to righteousness. By 'works of the law', Paul is probably referring to some specific commandments (eg, circumcision, kashrut), which he does not consider necessary for his gentile converts. Some of the other early Jewish believers in 'Christianity' thought that gentile converts (to the Jewish God, away from idolatry) should become full Jews by being circumcised and following kashrut. This allows one to rather easily reconcile some negative statements Paul makes about the applicability of some laws being forced on gentiles, while maintaining his positive attitude toward the Law and older covenants in general, and all of the Law for his fellow Jews.

Interesting information!