2 Corinthians 3:9
WEB
For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
BSB
For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!
KJV
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G1487
forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether
Derivation: a primary particle of conditionality;
if, whether, that, etc.
KJV: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether.
Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in G1489, G1490, G1499, G1508, G1509, G1512, G1513, G1536, G1537. See also G1437.
See also: G1489, G1490, G1499, G1508, G1509, G1512, G1513, G1536, G1537, G1437.
G1063
and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet
Derivation: a primary particle;
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G1248
(ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing)
Derivation: from G1249;
attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service (especially of the Christian teacher, or technically of the diaconate)
KJV: (ad-)minister(-ing, -tration, -try), office, relief, service(-ing).
See also: G1249.
G2633
condemn(-ation)
Derivation: from G2632;
sentencing adversely (the act)
KJV: condemn(-ation).
See also: G2632.
G1391
dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship
Derivation: from the base of G1380;
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
KJV: dignity, glory(-ious), honour, praise, worship.
See also: G1380.
G4183
abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly
Derivation: including the forms from the alternate πολλός;
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
KJV: abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.
Compare G4118, G4119.
See also: G4118, G4119.
G3123
+ better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather
Derivation: neuter of the comparative of the same as G3122;
(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather
KJV: + better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.
See also: G3122.
G4052
(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)
Derivation: from G4053;
to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
KJV: (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).
See also: G4053.
G1343
righteousness
Derivation: from G1342;
equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification
KJV: righteousness.
See also: G1342.
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Verses 6–11
2 Corinthians 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 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.
Cross-references: 2Cor 3:6 · 2Cor 3:7 · 2Cor 3:10 · 2Cor 3:11