Understanding The Administration Of Condemnation Versus The Administration of Righteousness ( IICor.3:9 )
WHAT IS PAUL TELLING US? IS HE CONDEMNING PARTS OF THE BIBLE?
Obviously, Paul the Apostle is not undermining the Old Testament. See Acts 24:14. Then, exactly what is Paul conveying to believers? This is a scripture that one can easily misunderstand if we approach it with false, preconceived beliefs of this world. A deeper understanding of all this section of the text will help believers in seeing the gospel with greater clarity.
2 Corinthians 3:9 NKJV 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
First thing to notice is that this is a compliment of the OT covenant. However he then goes on to explain that the new covenant administration is exceeding this OT glory to a much higher level. One is good or glorious and the new is even better. Paul's context for this section of the letter is worth noting.
2 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
The context is that Paul and other Elders who believe in Jesus, are the administrators of a new covenant. This section of II Corinthians is all about the new covenant administration as compared with the old. What is Paul's major point?
2 Corinthians 3:11 NKJV 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
Paul is saying believers need to realize the old system is done away as the best method to worship the true God. The old system did not have the potential for eternal life. It was a system where people died without eternal life.
2 Corinthians 3:7-8 NKJV 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?
Believers during the Old Covenant period either died naturally without eternal life, or they faced the death penalty for certain crimes, but they could not gain eternal life. A few obvious exceptions like Moses and David existed. God will resurrect them later and they will be given their first real chance for salvation. See Ezekiel 37 for this resurrection to human life again. The letter of the law is good, but the spirit of the law is better and provides a deeper level of following Jesus. The new covenant is about a deeper level of true righteousness. The new is so much more glorious. Jesus died so believers could have access to the Holy Spirit to help us. Moses and God wished that all Israelites had the Holy Spirit. But it was not available to all at that time.
Numbers 11:29 NKJV 29 Then Moses said to him, "Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD'S people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!"
God felt the same way that Moses did wishing that the people of Israel were all converted. But it was in the future according to God's plan.
Deuteronomy 5:29 NKJV 29 'Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!
Further the spirit helps to both obey and to perceive the truth. The leadership of Israel both anciently and during Paul's day could not really, fully understand the Bible that existed in their day.
WITHOUT SPIRITUAL HELP WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE OLD OR NEW TESTAMENT
This section of the letter Paul wrote then, explores why the blindness to the new truth. The administration of the righteousness represents the New Testament period, when people can be forgiven and cleansed by Christ's righteousness. Believers can be helped to see the truth and live righteously because of the Holy Spirit's power. Jesus' sacrifice is making all this possible. When he was resurrected he went to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit back to help us. So this blindness especially applied to the leadership of Israel.
2 Corinthians 3:13-14 NKJV 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.
It is amazing how true this is even now. People cannot fully see or appreciate the full gospel message without God opening their minds. God must lift the veil. Carnal people face a kind of veil that blurs their understanding of the word of God.
2 Corinthians 3:15-18 NKJV 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The manner of administering the law is a factor as well. True believers are in an administration of freedom from micromanagement and petty rules. God is in the process of reconciling mankind to Himself in stages. Those called now are in the first wave.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 NKJV 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Believers are forgiven and the veil is lifted from our hearts so we can really understand the word of God. Paul then gives warning advice to us believers. Be committed to follow Jesus all the way until the end of our lives. He warns about receiving this grace in vain.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 NKJV 1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Paul is telling the Corinthians to not neglect so wonderful an opportunity. Now is our time for salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 NKJV 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God... " 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."
Paul is telling them to come out of the pagan world and be different. Believers today need also to come out of our society. Today's world is not so clearly pagan but is in so many respects still, ungodly. Be different, Paul is saying, and obey all of the Bible.
JESUS WARNS OF FALSELY CLAIMING BLINDNESS
Some of the religious leaders in Jesus day actually saw the miracles and knew he was a messenger from God. Because He was not one of them, and because of jealousy, they pretended blindness.
John 9:39-41 NKJV 39 And Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind." 40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, "Are we blind also?" 41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.
Most of the people were blinded, but some evil leaders rejected the truth and openly opposed God. We all need to be cautious about pretending we do not understand so we can backslide into the evils of this world.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NKJV 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
Satan using human nature, has blinded the world from the true gospel. If you understand the truth do not allow yourself be deceived. Do not neglect so great a salvation.
