2 Corinthians 3:9-11 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!
Paul continues his comparison between the old and new covenants, with emphasis now more on the “how much more” side of the equation. Even though the law brought condemnation by showing sin to be utterly sinful, it was still glorious because it revealed God’s will for Israel. The law was revelation of God’s holy purposes for the people. The law was holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12). Yet, the result of the law was more sin. Behind Paul’s words here are the ideas given in his letter to the Romans. Paul likely wrote Romans while he was in Corinth, so it highly likely that the Corinthians had heard Paul’s teaching on the law and so he did not need to go into detail here in this letter. This was part of the gospel he preached. The opponents may have preached a different message about the law, leading to legalistic bondage.
The new covenant, however, brings righteousness. The new covenant here represents what Jesus accomplished through death and resurrection. He reconciled the world to God through his sacrifice. Paul will mention this later in 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. The result of this reconciliation is a right standing before God through the forgiveness of sins and a transformation within through the work of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that we do not need to be bound to sin any longer. We do not need to be condemned and judged as sinners any longer. The law had a purpose in the plan of salvation, by pointing us to Christ. It reveals our deepest problem of a rebellious heart. But the law cannot save and its glory is limited. It still has a purpose for believers today. Through Christ, the law is restored to its purpose as a guide to holy living. Through the new covenant, the glory that we lost because of sin (Romans 3:23) is restored. We begin to experience this glory when we come Christ. It is an increasing glory as we are remade into his likeness.
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