2 Corinthians 3:7-9
What is written? (ESV)
Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.
What does it say?
Now if the ministry of death, carved on stone, came with such a glory that the Israelites could not look at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was coming to an end. Will not the ministry of the Spirit have even greater glory? For the glory of the ministry of condemnation is far exceeded by the glory of the ministry of righteousness.
What is its immediate context?
Paul is commending the Christians in Corinth by drawing a distinction between the Old Law – written on stone – with the New Law of the Spirit – written on hearts – in which they labor (3:1-2).
How 2 Corinthians 3:7-9 is applied across Bible answers
Are Christians under the Ten Commandments today?
Paul is contrasting the two laws, confirming the end of the old covenant (using placeholders of "death", "condemnation", "lessor glory"), replaced by the new covenant (aka "Spirit", "righteousness", "greater glory").
Paul goes on to contrast the two throughout the chapter, speaking of the Old Law as "come to have no glory at all" (vs 10) and the New Law as being "permanent" (vs 11).
