2 Corinthians 3:9

Amplified Bible

For if the ministry that brings condemnation [the old covenant, the Law] has glory, how much more does glory overflow in the ministry that brings righteousness [the new covenant which declares believers free of guilt and sets them apart for God's special purpose]!

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
This is what I mean: That old agreement judged people guilty of sin, but it had glory. So surely the new agreement that makes people right with God has much greater glory.

Revised Standard Version
For if there was splendor in the dispensation of condemnation, the dispensation of righteousness must far exceed it in splendor.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For if ye ministringe of condempnacio beglorious: moche more do the the ministracion of rightewesnes excede in glory.

Hebrew Names Version
For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

New American Standard Bible
For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness excel in glory.

New Century Version
If the law that judged people guilty of sin had glory, surely the new way that makes people right with God has much greater glory.

Update Bible Version
For if in the service of condemnation [there is] glory, much rather does the service of righteousness exceed in glory.

Webster's Bible Translation
For if the ministration of condemnation [was] glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

English Standard Version
For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.

World English Bible
For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

Weymouth's New Testament
For if the service which pronounces doom had glory, far more glorious still is the service which tells of righteousness.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For if the mynystracioun of dampnacioun was in glorie, myche more the mynysterie of riytwisnesse is plenteuouse in glorie.

English Revised Version
For if the ministration of condemnation is glory, much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

Berean Standard Bible
For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!

Contemporary English Version
If something that brings the death sentence is glorious, won't something that makes us acceptable to God be even more glorious?

American Standard Version
For if the ministration of condemnation hath glory, much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

Bible in Basic English
For if the operation of the law, producing punishment, had its glory, how much greater will be the operation of the Spirit causing righteousness?

Complete Jewish Bible
For if there was glory in what worked to declare people guilty, how much more must the glory abound in what works to declare people innocent!

Darby Translation
For if the ministry of condemnation [be] glory, much rather the ministry of righteousness abounds in glory.

International Standard Version
For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, then the ministry of justification has an overwhelming glory.Romans 1:17; 3:21;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more doth not the ministry of justification excel in glory ?

Murdock Translation
For if there was glory in the ministration of condemnation, how much more shall the ministration of justification excel in glory?

King James Version (1611)
For if the ministration of condemnation bee glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousnesse exceed in glorie.

New Living Translation
If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!

New Life Bible
If the Law of Moses, that leads to death, came in shining-greatness, how much greater and brighter is the light that makes us right with God?

New Revised Standard
For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of justification abound in glory!

Geneva Bible (1587)
For if the ministerie of condemnation was glorious, much more doeth the ministration of righteousnesse exceede in glorie.

George Lamsa Translation
For if there be glory in the ministration of condemnation, much more will the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, if, the ministry of condemnation was glory, much rather, doth the ministry of righteousness abound with glory,

Douay-Rheims Bible
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
For yf the ministration of condempnation be glorie: much more doth the ministration of ryghteousnes exceede in glorie.

Good News Translation
The system which brings condemnation was glorious; how much more glorious is the activity which brings salvation!

Christian Standard Bible®
For if the ministry that brought condemnation had glory, the ministry that brings righteousness overflows with even more glory.

King James Version
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

Lexham English Bible
For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, by much more will the ministry of righteousness overflow with glory.

Literal Translation
For if the ministry of condemnation was glory, much rather the ministry of righteousness abounds in glory.

Young's Literal Translation
for if the ministration of the condemnation [is] glory, much more doth the ministration of the righteousness abound in glory;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For yf the office that preacheth damnacion be glorious, moch more doth the office that preacheth righteousnes exceade in glory.

Mace New Testament (1729)
for if the ministration of condemnation was illustrious, the ministration of righteousness will be much more glorious.

THE MESSAGE
If the Government of Condemnation was impressive, how about this Government of Affirmation? Bright as that old government was, it would look downright dull alongside this new one. If that makeshift arrangement impressed us, how much more this brightly shining government installed for eternity?

New English Translation
For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation, how much more does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory!

New King James Version
For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

Simplified Cowboy Version
What I mean is, the old agreement was a code of condemnation that judged people guilty of sin and brought death. Even so, it was filled with God's glory. So surely this new agreement, a code of confirmation that forgives people of sin and brings life, has even more glory from God.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.

Legacy Standard Bible
For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.

Contextual Overview

⁶He has qualified us [making us sufficient] as ministers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not of the letter [of a written code] but of the Spirit; for the letter [of the Law] kills [by revealing sin and demanding obedience], but the Spirit gives life. ⁷Now if the ministry of death, engraved in letters on stones [the covenant of the Law which led to death because of sin], came with such glory and splendor that the Israelites were not able to look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, [a brilliance] that was fading, ⁸how will the ministry of the Spirit [the new covenant which allows us to be Spirit-filled] fail to be even more glorious and splendid? ⁹For if the ministry that brings condemnation [the old covenant, the Law] has glory, how much more does glory overflow in the ministry that brings righteousness [the new covenant which declares believers free of guilt and sets them apart for God's special purpose]!¹⁰Indeed, what had glory [the Law], in this case no longer has glory because of the glory that surpasses it [the gospel]. ¹¹For if that [Law] which fades away came with glory, how much more must that [gospel] which remains and is permanent abide in glory and splendor!

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the ministration of condemnation: 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2 Corinthians 3:7, Exodus 19:12-19, Exodus 20:18, Exodus 20:19, Romans 1:18, Romans 8:3, Romans 8:4, Galatians 3:10, Hebrews 12:18-21

the ministration of righteousness: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 46:13, Jeremiah 23:6, Romans 1:17, Romans 3:21, Romans 3:22, Romans 4:11, Romans 5:15-21, Romans 10:3-10, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Galatians 5:4, Galatians 5:5, Philippians 3:9, 2 Peter 1:1

exceed: 2 Corinthians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 15:41, Hebrews 3:5, Hebrews 3:6

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:2 - a fiery law Haggai 2:9 - glory Luke 11:13 - how 2 Corinthians 4:4 - lest 2 Corinthians 5:14 - then 2 Corinthians 11:15 - the ministers Hebrews 5:13 - the word

Cross-References

Genesis 3:12
And the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me—she gave me [fruit] from the tree, and I ate it."

Genesis 3:13
Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent beguiled and deceived me, and I ate [from the forbidden tree]."

Genesis 3:17
Then to Adam the LORD God said, "Because you have listened [attentively] to the voice of your wife, and have eaten [fruit] from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it'; The ground is [now] under a curse because of you; In sorrow and toil you shall eat [the fruit] of it All the days of your life.

Genesis 3:19
"By the sweat of your face You will eat bread Until you return to the ground, For from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return."

Genesis 3:20
The man named his wife Eve (life spring, life giver), because she was the mother of all the living.

Genesis 3:21
The LORD God made tunics of [animal] skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

Genesis 4:9
Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he [lied and] said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?"

Genesis 11:5
Now the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.

Genesis 16:8
And He said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid, where did you come from and where are you going?" And she said, "I am running away from my mistress Sarai."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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.

f Raya Mehimna in Zohar in Lev. fol. 33. 4.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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, Romans 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.

(2) In 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.

(3) In 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.

(4) In 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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 3:9. The ministration of condemnation — The law, which ascertained sin, and condemned it to just punishment.

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.

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 dishonour 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.