“For if the ministry of condemnation had glory,
the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.”
2 Corinthians 3:9

1. “The ministry of condemnation”

a) This is another description Paul used to describe the ministry of the Law.

b) He had previously called it the “ministry of death”. (2 Corinthians 3:7).

c) Why was this called the ministry of condemnation?

i) The Law spoke of blessings if people kept it (Leviticus 26:1-13).

ii) But the Law also had severe words of condemnation to those who broke it (Leviticus 26:14-45).

d) No one could ever keep the Law.

e) All would break the Law at one point or another.

f) This would mean “condemnation”.

2. “Had glory”

a) There was glory because God was the Giver of the Law.

b) But the danger was when man imbued a glory that God never intended it to have.

i) In the process of time, traditions arose around the Law.

ii) The Law was considered so glorious, traditions were built around the Law.

iii) There was such a sacred regard for the Law that few dared to speak of it as “the ministry of condemnation”.

c) Paul was against this attitude towards the Law.

3. “The ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory”

a) Few appreciated the significance of the New Covenant.

b) It truly exceeds more in glory than the Mosaic law.

c) Therein the doctrine of imputed righteousness was found.

d) Therein was the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

e) The Lord Jesus shed His blood to bring about the New Covenant.

f) There was no condemnation in the New Covenant (Romans 8:1).

g) Paul wrote determinedly to give the New Covenant the glory that should have been given!

He rightly called it “the ministry of righteousness” for it taught how man may be justified!