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Text -- 2 Corinthians 3:9 (NET)

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Context
3:9 For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation, how much more does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory!
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Minister | Law | IMPUTATION | Gospel | Glory | GALATIANS, EPISTLE TO THE | Corinthians, Second Epistle to the | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey , Lapide

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: 2Co 3:9 - -- Of condemnation ( tēs katakriseōs ). Genitive, that brings condemnation because unable to obey the law.

Of condemnation ( tēs katakriseōs ).

Genitive, that brings condemnation because unable to obey the law.

Robertson: 2Co 3:9 - -- Is glory ( doxa ). No copula, but makes the figure bolder. Paul freely admits the glory for the old dispensation.

Is glory ( doxa ).

No copula, but makes the figure bolder. Paul freely admits the glory for the old dispensation.

Robertson: 2Co 3:9 - -- Of righteousness ( tēs dikaiosunēs ). Marked by and leading to righteousness. See note on 2Co 11:15.

Of righteousness ( tēs dikaiosunēs ).

Marked by and leading to righteousness. See note on 2Co 11:15.

Robertson: 2Co 3:9 - -- Much more ( pollōi mallon ). Instrumental case, by much more.

Much more ( pollōi mallon ).

Instrumental case, by much more.

Robertson: 2Co 3:9 - -- Exceed ( perisseuei ). Overflow.

Exceed ( perisseuei ).

Overflow.

Vincent: 2Co 3:9 - -- Ministration of condemnation Because Moses was the minister of the law. For the relation of the law to sin and condemnation, see Rom 5:20; Rom 7:...

Ministration of condemnation

Because Moses was the minister of the law. For the relation of the law to sin and condemnation, see Rom 5:20; Rom 7:7-13.

Wesley: 2Co 3:9 - -- Such the Mosaic dispensation proved to all the Jews who rejected the gospel whereas through the gospel (hence called the ministration of righteousness...

Such the Mosaic dispensation proved to all the Jews who rejected the gospel whereas through the gospel (hence called the ministration of righteousness) God both imputed and imparted righteousness to all believers. But how can the moral law (which alone was engraven on stone) be the ministration of condemnation, if it requires no more than a sincere obedience, such as is proportioned to our infirm state? If this is sufficient to justify us, then the law ceases to be a ministration of condemnation. It becomes (flatly contrary to the apostle's doctrine) the ministration of righteousness.

JFB: 2Co 3:9 - -- The law regarded in the "letter" which "killeth" (2Co 3:6; Rom 7:9-11). The oldest existing manuscript seems to read as English Version. But most of t...

The law regarded in the "letter" which "killeth" (2Co 3:6; Rom 7:9-11). The oldest existing manuscript seems to read as English Version. But most of the almost contemporary manuscripts, versions, and Fathers, read, "If to the ministration of condemnation there be glory."

JFB: 2Co 3:9 - -- The Gospel, which especially reveals the righteousness of God (Rom 1:17), and imputes righteousness to men through faith in Christ (Rom 3:21-28; Rom 4...

The Gospel, which especially reveals the righteousness of God (Rom 1:17), and imputes righteousness to men through faith in Christ (Rom 3:21-28; Rom 4:3, Rom 4:22-25), and imparts righteousness by the Spirit (Rom 8:1-4).

JFB: 2Co 3:9 - -- "abound."

"abound."

Clarke: 2Co 3:9 - -- The ministration of condemnation - The law, which ascertained sin, and condemned it to just punishment

The ministration of condemnation - The law, which ascertained sin, and condemned it to just punishment

Clarke: 2Co 3:9 - -- The ministration of righteousness - The Gospel, the grand business of which was to proclaim the doctrine δικαιοσυνης, of justification; ...

The ministration of righteousness - The Gospel, the grand business of which was to proclaim the doctrine δικαιοσυνης, of justification; and to show how God could be just and yet the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus

Clarke: 2Co 3:9 - -- Exceed in glory - For great, glorious, and awful as the law may be, in its opposition to sin, which is a reproach to man, and a dishonor to God; and...

Exceed in glory - For great, glorious, and awful as the law may be, in its opposition to sin, which is a reproach to man, and a dishonor to God; and in its punishment of sin; yet it must be vastly exceeded by that system which, evidencing an equal abhorrence of sin, finds out a method to forgive it; to take away its guilt from the conscience, and remove all its infection from the soul. That this could be done the law pointed out by its blood of bulls and of goats: but every considerate mind must see that it was impossible for these to take away sin; it is the Gospel that does what the law signified; and forasmuch as the performance of a promise is greater than the promise itself, and the substance of a man is greater than the shadow projected by that substance; so is the Gospel of Jesus Christ greater than the law, with all its promises, types, ceremonies, and shadows.

TSK: 2Co 3:9 - -- the ministration of condemnation : 2Co 3:6, 2Co 3:7; Exo 19:12-19, Exo 20:18, Exo 20:19; Rom 1:18, Rom 8:3, Rom 8:4; Gal 3:10; Heb 12:18-21 the minist...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 2Co 3:9 - -- For if the ministration of condemnation - Of Moses in giving the Law, the effect of which is to produce condemnation. Law condemns the guilty; ...

For if the ministration of condemnation - Of Moses in giving the Law, the effect of which is to produce condemnation. Law condemns the guilty; it does not save them. It denounces punishment; it contains no provisions of pardon. To pardon is to depart from the Law; and must be done under the operation of another system - since a law which contains a provision for the pardon of offenders, and permits them to escape, would be a burlesque in legislation. The tendency of the Mosaic institutions, therefore, was to produce a sense of condemnation. And so it will be found by all who attempt to be justified by the Law. It will tend to, and result in, their condemnation.

Be glory - Be glorious; or be glory itself - It was glorious as a manifestation of the holiness and justice of God; and glorious in the attending circumstances. No event in our world has been more magnificent in the circumstances of external majesty and splendor than the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai.

The ministration of righteousness - The gospel; the promulgation of the plan of mercy. It is called "the ministration of righteousness,"in contradistinction from the Law of Moses, which was a "ministration of condemnation."The word "righteousness,"however, does not exactly express the force of the original word. That word is δικαιοσύνης dikaiosunēs , and it stands directly opposed to the word κατακρισεως katakriseōs , "condemnation."It should be rendered ‘ the ministration of justification;’ the plan by which God justifies people; see the note, Rom 1:17. The Law of Moses condemns; the gospel is the plan by which man is justified. And if that which condemns could be glorious, much more must that be by which people can be justified, acquitted, and saved. The superior glory of the gospel, therefore, consists in the fact that it is a scheme to justify and save lost sinners. And this glory consists:

(1) In the fact that it can be done when all law condemns.

\caps1 (2) i\caps0 n the showing forth of the divine character while it is done, as just, and merciful, and benevolent in doing it - blending all his great and glorious attributes together - while the Law disclosed only one of His attributes - His justice.

\caps1 (3) i\caps0 n the manner in which it is done. It is by the incarnation of the Son of God - a far more glorious manifestation of deity than was made on Mount Sinai. It is by the toils, and sufferings, and death of him who made the atonement, and by the circumstances of awful and imposing grandeur which attended his death, when the sun was darkened. and the rocks were rent - far more grand and awful scenes than occurred when the Law was given. It is by the resurrection and ascension of the Redeemer - scenes far more sublime than all the external glories of Sinai when the Law was given.

\caps1 (4) i\caps0 n the effects, or results. The one condemns; the other justifies and saves. The effect of the one is seen in the convictions of conscience, in alarm, in a sense of guilt, in the conscious desert of condemnation, and in the apprehension of eternal punishment. The other is seen in sins forgiven; in peace of conscience; in the joy of pardon; in the hope of heaven; in comfort and triumph on the bed of death, and amidst the glories of heaven.

Poole: 2Co 3:9 - -- What the apostle before called the ministration of death, he here calleth the ministration of condemnation and therin gives us a reason why he ...

What the apostle before called the ministration of death, he here calleth

the ministration of condemnation and therin gives us a reason why he called it the ministration of death, because it led unto eternal death, as showing men sin, so accusing and condemning men for sinful acts. If it pleased God (saith the apostle) to make that ministration glorious, that the minister of the law (Moses) appeared so glorious in the eyes of Aaron and of the people;

the ministration of righteousness (by which he means the gospel) must needs be more exceedingly glorious. He tells us, Rom 1:16,17 , that he was not ashamed of the gospel— for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; that is, the righteousness wherein a soul must stand and appear righteous before God.

The ministration of righteousness signifieth the ministration of that gospel, that doctrine, which revealeth righteousness.

Righteousness is here opposed to condemnation; and therefore signifieth that which is opposed to it, viz. justification. For God doth not so freely remit sins, but that he declares his righteousness in the remission of them; and will show himself just, while he showeth himself the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus, Rom 3:26 . And from hence it appeareth, that the gospel is called the ministration of righteousness, because he that ministereth in it exhibiteth the righteousness to Christ to be reckoned to the soul, as that whereby it must be justified; for God could not otherwise declare his righteousness in the remission of sins, nor show himself just in justifying the ungodly. This ministration (he saith) must needs be more glorious in the eyes of men than the ministration of the law; for that ministration afforded nothing but terror and death, this affordeth relief, and comfort, and life.

Gill: 2Co 3:9 - -- For if the ministration of condemnation be glory,.... So the Jews call the law, for they say, אין כבוד אלא תורה, "there is no glory but ...

For if the ministration of condemnation be glory,.... So the Jews call the law, for they say, אין כבוד אלא תורה, "there is no glory but the law" f; this is another head of opposition or difference between the law and the Gospel, from whence the superior glory of the one to the other is argued. The law is "the ministration of condemnation"; as sin is a transgression of the law, it accuses for it, convinces of it, pronounces guilty, and adjudges to death on account of it; which is the condemnation it ministers; and this it does to all Adam's posterity, and for his sin too; and to all the actual transgressors of it, to all unbelievers, to all that are under it; even to God's elect themselves, as considered in Adam, and in themselves as transgressors; and this it ministers to their consciences when convicted, though it is never executed on them, because of the suretyship engagement and performances of Christ. The Gospel is

the ministration of righteousness; not of a legal one, or a man's own, but of the righteousness of Christ, by which the law is honoured, justice is satisfied, and God's elect justified from all sin and condemnation; this being perfect, pure, and spotless, and for ever: the Gospel is "the ministration" of it, as it is a means of stripping a man of his own righteousness, of revealing Christ's to him, and of working faith in him, and encouraging him to lay hold upon it for himself; and thus it is not to righteous persons, but sinners, to all believers, to all the second Adam's posterity; now as

much more as righteousness exceeds condemnation, and a justified state a condemned one, so "much more" does the Gospel

exceed the law

in glory.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 2Co 3:9 Traditionally, “abound.”

Geneva Bible: 2Co 3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation [be] glory, much more doth the ministration of ( k ) righteousness exceed in glory. ( k ) That is, of Christ....

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 2Co 3:1-18 - --1 Lest their false teachers should charge him with vain glory, he shows the faith and graces of the Corinthians to be a sufficient commendation of his...

MHCC: 2Co 3:1-11 - --Even the appearance of self-praise and courting human applause, is painful to the humble and spiritual mind. Nothing is more delightful to faithful mi...

Matthew Henry: 2Co 3:6-11 - -- 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 h...

Barclay: 2Co 3:4-11 - --This passage really falls into two parts. At the beginning of it Paul is feeling that perhaps his claim that the Corinthians are a living epistle of ...

Constable: 2Co 1:12--8:1 - --II. ANSWERS TO INSINUATIONS ABOUT THE SINCERITY OF PAUL'S COMMITMENT TO THE CORINTHIANS AND TO THE MINISTRY 1:12--7:16 ...

Constable: 2Co 3:1--6:11 - --B. Exposition of Paul's view of the ministry 3:1-6:10 The apostle proceeded to explain his view of Chris...

Constable: 2Co 3:1-11 - --1. The superiority of Christian ministry to Mosaic ministry 3:1-11 Paul contrasted the ministry ...

Constable: 2Co 3:4-11 - --The old and new covenants 3:4-11 3:4 Jesus Christ had given Paul confidence that the changes that the gospel had produced in the Corinthians validated...

College: 2Co 3:1-18 - --2 CORINTHIANS 3 2. A Living Letter of Recommendation Sent (3:1-3) 3:1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Paul asks this question tongue-...

McGarvey: 2Co 3:9 - --For if the ministration of condemnation hath glory, much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory .

Lapide: 2Co 3:1-18 - --CHAPTER III. SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. Paul asserts that he does not seek or need the praise of men, as the Judaising false apostles sought it: th...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) Second Corinthians From Macedonia a.d. 54 Or 55 By Way of Introduction The Pauline authorship is admitted by all real scholars, though there is ...

JFB: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) THE following reasons seem to have induced Paul to write this Second Epistle to the Corinthians: (1) That he might explain the reasons for his having ...

JFB: 2 Corinthians (Outline) THE HEADING; PAUL'S CONSOLATIONS IN RECENT TRIALS IN ASIA; HIS SINCERITY TOWARDS THE CORINTHIANS; EXPLANATION OF HIS NOT HAVING VISITED THEM AS HE HA...

TSK: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The most remarkable circumstance in this Epistle, observes Mr. Scott, is the confidence of the Apostle in the goodness of his cause, and in the power ...

TSK: 2 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) Overview 2Co 3:1, Lest their false teachers should charge him with vain glory, he shows the faith and graces of the Corinthians to be a sufficient...

Poole: 2 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 3

MHCC: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The second epistle to the Corinthians probably was written about a year after the first. Its contents are closely connected with those of the former e...

MHCC: 2 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) (2Co 3:1-11) The preference of the gospel to the law given by Moses. (2Co 3:12-18) The preaching of the apostle was suitable to the excellency and ev...

Matthew Henry: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians In his former epistle the apostle had signified his i...

Matthew Henry: 2 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) The apostle makes an apology for his seeming to commend himself, and is careful not to assume too much to himself, but to ascribe all praise unto G...

Barclay: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS TO THE CORINTHIANS The Greatness Of Corinth A glance at the map will show that Corinth was made for greatness. The south...

Barclay: 2 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) Each Man A Letter Of Christ (2Co_3:1-3) The Surpassing Glory (2Co_3:4-11) The Veil Which Hides The Truth (2Co_3:12-18)

Constable: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background First Corinthians did not dispel the problems in th...

Constable: 2 Corinthians (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-11 A. Salutation 1:1-2 B. Thanksgiving for c...

Constable: 2 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Bibliography Alford, Henry. The Greek Testament. 4 vols. Reprint ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Book Hou...

Haydock: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE CORINTHIANS. INTRODUCTION. The subject and design of this second Epistle to the Corinthian...

Gill: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS This epistle, according to the subscription at the end of it, was written from Philippi of Macedonia; and though the ...

Gill: 2 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 2 CORINTHIANS 3 In this chapter the apostle clears himself from the charge of arrogance and self-commendation, and ascribes both th...

College: 2 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION Studying 2 Corinthians plunges the modern reader back to the real, tumultuous world of early Christianity. The simple ideals of sharing ...

College: 2 Corinthians (Outline) OUTLINE I. OPENING - 1:1-2 II. THANKSGIVING - 1:3-11 A. GOD COMFORTS - 1:3-7 B. GOD DELIVERS - 1:8-11 III. DEFENSE OF INTEGRITY - 1:12...

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