2 Corinthians 3:9
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
2 Corinthians 3:9 in other translations
| BSB | For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! |
|---|---|
| WEB | For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. |
| ASV | For if the ministration of condemnation hath glory, much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. |
| YLT | for if the ministration of the condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministration of the righteousness abound in glory; |
| DARBY | For if the ministry of condemnation be glory, much rather the ministry of righteousness abounds in glory. |
| BBE | For if the operation of the law, producing punishment, had its glory, how much greater will be the operation of the Spirit causing righteousness? |
| Webster | For if the ministration of condemnation was glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. |
What does 2 Corinthians 3:9 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
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 splendour 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 δικαιοσυνης, and it stands directly opposed to the word κατακρισεως, condemnation. It should be rendered, "the ministration of justification;" the plan by which God justifies men. 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 men 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 discloses 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.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 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 ministers, or more to their praise, than the success of their ministry, as shown in the spirits and lives of those among whom they labour. The law of Christ was written in their hearts, and the love of Christ shed abroad there. Nor was it written in tables of stone, as…
2 Corinthians 3:9 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 2 Corinthians 3:9
- Hebrews 12:18-21
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
- Romans 3:21-22
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
- 2 Corinthians 3:6-7
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
- 1 Corinthians 15:41
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
- 2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
- Jeremiah 23:6
In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
- Romans 5:15-21
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. …
- Romans 8:3-4
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
- Exodus 19:12-19
And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. …
- Romans 10:3-10
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) …
- Isaiah 46:13
I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6,7; Ex 19:12-19; 20:18,19; Ro 1:18; 8:3,4; Ga 3:10; Heb 12:18-21
the ministration of righteousness.
5:21; Isa 46:13; Jer 23:6; Ro 1:17; 3:21,22; 4:11; 5:15-21; 10:3-10
1Co 1:30; Ga 5:4,5; Php 3:9; 2Pe 1:1
exceed.
10,11; 1Co 15:41; Heb 3:5,6
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 2 Corinthians 3:8
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
- 2 Corinthians 3:9
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
- 2 Corinthians 3:10
For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
2 Corinthians 3:9 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Porque si el ministerio de condenación fué con gloria, mucho más abundará en gloria el ministerio de justicia. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Car si le ministère de la condamnation a été gloire, combien plus le ministère de la justice abonde-t-il en gloire! |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Denn wenn der Dienst der Verdammnis Herrlichkeit ist, so ist vielmehr der Dienst der Gerechtigkeit überströmend in Herrlichkeit. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Nam si ministratio damnationis gloria est: multo magis abundat ministerium justitiæ in gloria. |