Paul has just spoken about presenting the message clearly. Some might object that the message is not clear, that many cannot understand it. Paul replies that if its veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing and that it is Satan (the god of this age) who has blinded their minds. Satan does this because the gospel displays the glory of Christ, and Christ is the image of God.
The false apostles promoted themselves, and we need to be wary of anyone who is promoting themselves rather than Christ. So we have here a good test of true Christian ministry, for its focus is on presenting Christ, and we are presented as servants of Christ. False ministry will often show itself in self-promotion.
Now the minds on many Jews were blinded, as were the minds of many Gentiles. So what was the difference for Paul and the other believers? It is that God has made His light shine in our hearts. We can see the truth only because of the grace of God, and that truth is displayed in Jesus Christ.
All that we have we have only because of God's goodness towards us, but what we have we have from God Himself.
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