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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Corinthians 3:6–11. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here the apostle makes a comparison between the Old Testament and the New, the law of Moses and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and values himself and his fellow-labourers by this, that they were able ministers of the New Testament, that God had made them so, Co2 3:6. This he does in answer to the accusations of false teachers, who magnify greatly the law of Moses.
I.He distinguishes between the letter and the spirit even of the New Testament, Co2 3:6.
As able ministers of the New Testament, they were ministers not merely of the letter, to read the written word, or to preach the letter of the gospel only, but they were ministers of the Spirit also; the Spirit of God did accompany their ministrations. The letter killeth; this the letter of the law does, for that is the ministration of death; and if we rest only in the letter of the gospel we shall be never the better for so doing, for even that will be a savour of death unto death; but the Spirit of the gospel, going along with the ministry of the gospel, giveth life spiritual and life eternal.
II.He shows the difference between the Old Testament and the New, and the excellency of the gospel above the law. For,
1.The Old Testament dispensation was the ministration of death (Co2 3:7), whereas that of the New Testament is the ministration of life. The law discovered sin, and the wrath and curse of God. This showed us a God above us and a God against us; but the gospel discovers grace, and Emmanuel, God with us. Upon this account the gospel is more glorious than the law; and yet that had a glory in it, witness the shining of Moses's face (an indication thereof) when he came down from the mount with the tables in his hand, that reflected rays of brightness upon his countenance.
2.The law was the ministration of condemnation, for that condemned and cursed every one who continued not in all things written therein to do them; but the gospel is the ministration of righteousness: therein the righteousness of God by faith is revealed. This shows us that the just shall live by his faith. This reveals the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ, for obtaining the remission of sins and eternal life. The gospel therefore so much exceeds in glory that in a manner it eclipses the glory of the legal dispensation, Co2 3:10. As the shining of a burning lamp is lost, or not regarded, when the sun arises and goes forth in his strength; so there was no glory in the Old Testament, in comparison with that of the New.
3.The law is done away, but the gospel does and shall remain, Co2 3:11. Not only did the glory of Moses's face go away, but the glory of Moses's law is done away also; yea, the law of Moses itself is now abolished. That dispensation was only to continue for a time, and then to vanish away; whereas the gospel shall remain to the end of the world, and is always fresh and flourishing and remains glorious.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Paul says this because there is more glory in salvation than there is in death. However justly a judge may condemn some-one, he earns more honor if he shows mercy, so that the guilty party is given an opportunity to mend his ways.
Also, he interprets more clearly the meaning of the words, "The letter killeth," declaring it to be that which we have said above, namely, that the Law showed sin, not caused it.
"Much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory." For those Tables indeed showed the sinners and punished them, but this not only did not punish the sinners, but even made them righteous: for this did Baptism confer.
The law condemned sinners, but grace receives them and justifies them by faith. It leads them to holy baptism and grants them forgiveness of sins.
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Summary
In 2 Corinthians 3:9, the Apostle Paul continues his profound theological argument, asserting the unparalleled superiority of the New Covenant over the Old. He posits that if the Old Covenant, which served as a "ministration of condemnation" yet possessed a measure of glory, then the New Covenant, which brings divine righteousness, must inherently possess an immeasurably greater, indeed "exceeding," glory. This verse encapsulates the core message of 2 Corinthians 3, highlighting the transformative power and enduring splendor of God's grace revealed in Christ.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is a pivotal statement within Paul's extended argument in 2 Corinthians 3, where he contrasts the Old Covenant (the Law) with the New Covenant (the Spirit). Paul begins the chapter by defending his apostolic ministry, stating that the Corinthian believers themselves are his "letter of recommendation," written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). He then introduces the crucial distinction between the "letter" that kills and the "Spirit" that gives life (2 Corinthians 3:6). Paul refers to the Old Covenant, specifically the Law given through Moses, as the "ministration of death" (2 Corinthians 3:7), acknowledging that even this covenant, despite its condemning nature, came with a visible glory, as evidenced by Moses' shining face after encountering God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:29-35). Verse 9 builds directly on this foundation, escalating the comparison to declare the New Covenant's surpassing glory. The subsequent verses further elaborate on this glory, describing it as unveiled and transformative, leading believers to reflect the Lord's glory (2 Corinthians 3:10-18).
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul's letter to the Corinthians addresses various challenges, including the presence of "super-apostles" or false teachers who sought to undermine his authority and ministry. These opponents likely emphasized adherence to the Mosaic Law, perhaps even advocating for circumcision and other Jewish customs, thereby promoting a form of legalism. Paul's argument in 2 Corinthians 3 directly counters this by demonstrating that the Law, while divinely given, was never intended to be the ultimate means of righteousness or life. It served to reveal sin and condemn, a function that, though necessary, was temporary and less glorious than the permanent, life-giving work of the Spirit in the New Covenant. The cultural backdrop includes the Jewish reverence for Moses and the Sinai covenant, which Paul acknowledges but then recontextualizes in light of Christ. The "glory" associated with the Old Covenant would have been understood in terms of God's manifest presence at Sinai and the awe-inspiring nature of the Law's promulgation. Paul's point is that even this significant glory is eclipsed by the new spiritual reality.
Key Themes
The central theme of 2 Corinthians 3, powerfully articulated in verse 9, is the superiority of the New Covenant. Paul systematically contrasts the Old Covenant's temporary, condemning, and veiled nature with the New Covenant's permanent, life-giving, and unveiled glory. This leads to the theme of righteousness by grace through faith, a core Pauline doctrine. The "ministration of righteousness" refers to God's gracious provision of justification, where believers are declared righteous in His sight not by their works of the Law but by faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-26). This stands in stark contrast to the Law, which, as the "ministration of condemnation," exposed humanity's inability to meet God's perfect standards, thereby bringing a verdict of guilt. Finally, the theme of surpassing glory is paramount. Paul argues that the glory of the New Covenant, mediated by the Spirit, far exceeds the fading glory of the Old. This new glory is not merely external but internal and transformative, enabling believers to be progressively changed into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term signifies "attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate):--(ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing)." In this verse, Paul uses "ministration" to refer to a dispensation or an administration, describing the distinct roles and operations of both the Old Covenant (of condemnation) and the New Covenant (of righteousness). It highlights the active service or function of each covenant in God's redemptive plan.
This word means "sentencing adversely (the act):--condemn(-nation)." This term underscores the Law's primary function in exposing sin and rendering humanity guilty before God. The Law, though holy and good in itself, served as a divine standard that humanity could not perfectly uphold, thus leading to a verdict of condemnation for all who stood under its demands.
This term denotes "equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:--righteousness." In the context of the New Covenant, this refers to the state of being declared just or right in God's sight, a righteousness that is imputed to believers through faith in Christ, rather than achieved through their own efforts. It is a gift that brings right standing with God.
This verb means "to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel:--(make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above)." Paul employs this word to emphasize the overwhelming and immeasurable superiority of the New Covenant's glory compared to that of the Old. It signifies an abundance and preeminence that goes far beyond mere comparison.
Verse Breakdown
"For if the ministration of condemnation [be] glory"
Paul begins with a conditional clause, acknowledging that the Old Covenant, which he terms the "ministration of condemnation" (referring to the Mosaic Law's role in exposing sin and bringing a verdict of guilt), indeed possessed a measure of glory. This glory was evident in its divine origin, its revelation on Mount Sinai, and the visible splendor associated with Moses' face after his encounter with God. Paul is not denying the Law's divine origin or its inherent majesty but is setting the stage for a comparison.
"much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory"
This is the emphatic conclusion of Paul's comparison. The "ministration of righteousness" refers to the New Covenant, which provides a means for humanity to be declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul asserts that if the covenant that brought condemnation had glory, then the covenant that brings righteousness must possess an immeasurably greater, indeed "exceeding," glory. The phrase "much more" (Greek: mallon) highlights the vast qualitative and quantitative difference in glory, emphasizing the New Covenant's unparalleled splendor and efficacy.
Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs Contrast as the primary literary device throughout 2 Corinthians 3, and it is particularly evident in verse 9. He sets up a stark dichotomy between the "ministration of condemnation" (the Old Covenant) and the "ministration of righteousness" (the New Covenant), highlighting their differing outcomes and inherent qualities. This contrast is amplified by the use of A Fortiori Argumentation, a logical device where an argument is made from a weaker case to a stronger one ("if this is true, how much more is that true?"). Paul argues that if the Old Covenant, despite its condemning nature, had glory, then the New Covenant, which brings life and righteousness, must possess an even greater, surpassing glory. The phrase "much more doth... exceed" functions as Hyperbole, emphasizing the immeasurable and overwhelming superiority of the New Covenant's glory, going beyond a simple comparison to suggest an exponential increase in splendor and impact.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The profound theological truth of 2 Corinthians 3:9 lies in its declaration of the New Covenant's absolute superiority as the means of God's redemptive work. It firmly establishes that true righteousness and life are found not through adherence to a legal code that exposes sin, but through the gracious provision of God in Christ, mediated by the Spirit. This righteousness is a gift, not an achievement, liberating believers from the burden of condemnation and ushering them into a relationship of unveiled glory with God. The verse underscores the shift from a covenant of external law, which could only reveal sin and pronounce guilt, to a covenant of internal transformation, where God's Spirit empowers believers to live righteously and reflect His glory.
Reflection and Application
2 Corinthians 3:9 offers profound liberation and assurance for believers today. It calls us to deeply appreciate the radical difference between striving for righteousness through human effort and receiving it as a divine gift through Christ. This verse frees us from the subtle legalism that can creep into our spiritual lives, reminding us that our standing before God is based entirely on His grace, not our performance. It invites us to live in the glorious freedom of the New Covenant, where the Spirit empowers us for genuine transformation, rather than merely exposing our failures. Understanding this "exceeding glory" should fill us with immense gratitude, motivate us to walk in the Spirit, and embolden us to share the good news of God's righteousness with a world still living under various forms of condemnation. It encourages us to fix our gaze on Christ, the source of this glorious righteousness, and to allow His light to shine through us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does Paul mean by "ministration of condemnation"?
By "ministration of condemnation," Paul is referring to the Old Covenant, specifically the Mosaic Law. While the Law was holy and good, its primary function was to reveal sin and demonstrate humanity's inability to perfectly obey God's commands. In doing so, it pronounced a verdict of guilt and condemnation upon all who stood under its demands, because "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). It highlighted the problem of sin without providing the ultimate solution for it.
How can the "ministration of condemnation" have "glory"?
The Old Covenant had glory because it was divinely instituted by God, revealed through Moses on Mount Sinai with awe-inspiring displays of God's presence, and contained God's holy standards. The visible glory on Moses' face after encountering God (Exodus 34:29-35) was a tangible manifestation of this glory. However, Paul clarifies that this glory, though real, was temporary and fading (2 Corinthians 3:7), and ultimately veiled, signifying its limited and preparatory nature in God's redemptive plan.
What is the "ministration of righteousness"?
The "ministration of righteousness" refers to the New Covenant, established through Jesus Christ. Unlike the Law, which condemns, this covenant provides a way for humanity to be declared righteous (justified) before God, not by works, but by grace through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice (Romans 3:21-22). It is a glorious administration because it brings life, forgiveness, and a right standing with God, transforming hearts through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
2 Corinthians 3:9 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment and mediator of the "ministration of righteousness." The Old Covenant, with its "ministration of condemnation," served as a schoolmaster leading us to Christ (Galatians 3:24), revealing humanity's profound need for a Savior. Jesus, through His perfect life, atoning death on the cross, and victorious resurrection, fully satisfied the righteous demands of the Law and bore its condemnation on our behalf. He became "sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). The "exceeding glory" of the New Covenant is the glory of God's grace revealed in Christ, where righteousness is freely imputed to all who believe (Romans 4:5). This glory is not fading or veiled, but permanent and transformative, as the Holy Spirit, poured out through Christ, indwells believers, enabling them to live in true freedom and reflect the unveiled glory of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). Thus, Christ is the very essence of this surpassing glory, bringing life and righteousness where the Law could only bring condemnation.