2 Corinthians 3:9
New International Version
If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!

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!

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

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

Berean Literal Bible
For if glory was in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory!

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

New King James Version
For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry 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.

NASB 1995
For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.

NASB 1977
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.

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]!

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness overflows with even more glory.

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

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?

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If the ministry that brings punishment has glory, then the ministry that brings God's approval has an overwhelming glory.

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

International Standard Version
For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, then the ministry of justification has an overwhelming glory.

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

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

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

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

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

World English Bible
For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For if the ministry of the condemnation [is] glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory;

Berean Literal Bible
For if glory was in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound 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;

Smith's Literal Translation
For if the service of condemnation glory, much more the service of justice abounds in glory.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more the ministration of justice aboundeth in glory.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For if the ministration of condemnation is with glory, so much more is the ministration of justice abundant in glory.

New American Bible
For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, the ministry of righteousness will abound much more in glory.

New Revised Standard Version
For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, much more does the ministry of justification abound in glory!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For if there be glory in the ministration of condemnation, much more will the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For if the administration of a guilty verdict was certain glory, how much more shall the administration of righteousness superabound in glory?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For if the ministering of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministering of righteousness surpass in glory.

Godbey New Testament
For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, how much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.

Haweis New Testament
For if the ministry of condemnation is glory, much more doth the ministry of righteousness excel in glory.

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

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

Worrell New Testament
For, if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

Worsley New Testament
For if the ministration of condemnation was so glorious, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Glory of the New Covenant
8will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! 10Indeed, what was once glorious has no glory now in comparison to the glory that surpasses it.…

Cross References
Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.

Hebrews 8:6
Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises.

Galatians 3:19-25
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. / A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one. / Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law. ...

Romans 5:20-21
The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, / so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 12:18-24
For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ...

Romans 7:7-13
What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” / But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead. / Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ...

John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:9
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

Romans 3:19-22
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. / Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. / But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. ...

Hebrews 7:22
Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Exodus 34:29-35
And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD. / Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him. / But Moses called out to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke to them. ...

Deuteronomy 27:26
‘Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’

Jeremiah 31:31-34
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. / It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. / “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. ...

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Isaiah 42:21
The LORD was pleased, for the sake of His righteousness, to magnify His law and make it glorious.


Treasury of Scripture

For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

the ministration of condemnation.

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…

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: …

Exodus 20:18,19
And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off…

the ministration of righteousness.

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.

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.

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.

exceed.

2 Corinthians 3:10,11
For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth…

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.

Hebrews 3:5,6
And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; …

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Abound Abounds Condemnation Condemns Dispensation Doom Exceed Exceeds Far Glorious Glory Greater Law Ministration Ministry Operation Producing Pronounces Punishment Righteousness Service Spirit Splendor Tells
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Abound Abounds Condemnation Condemns Dispensation Doom Exceed Exceeds Far Glorious Glory Greater Law Ministration Ministry Operation Producing Pronounces Punishment Righteousness Service Spirit Splendor Tells
2 Corinthians 3
1. Lest their false teachers should charge him with vain glory,
2. he shows the faith of the Corinthians to be a sufficient commendation of his ministry.
6. Whereupon entering a comparison between the ministers of the law and of the gospel,
12. he proves that his ministry is so far the more excellent,
17. as the gospel of life and liberty is more glorious than the law of condemnation.














For if
This phrase introduces a conditional statement, setting up a comparison between two ministries. The Greek word "εἰ" (ei) is used here, indicating a logical argument that Paul is making. It invites the reader to consider the implications of what follows, encouraging a reflective and analytical approach to understanding the nature of the two ministries being compared.

the ministry of condemnation
This refers to the Old Covenant, specifically the Mosaic Law, which, while holy and just, ultimately brought awareness of sin and thus condemnation. The Greek word for "condemnation" is "κατακρίσεως" (katakriseos), which implies a judgment against. Historically, the Law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai, and it was indeed glorious, as evidenced by the radiance of Moses' face. However, its purpose was to reveal sin and the need for a savior, highlighting humanity's inability to achieve righteousness on its own.

was glorious
The glory of the Old Covenant is acknowledged here. The Greek word "δόξα" (doxa) signifies honor, splendor, and brightness. The Law was glorious because it was given by God and revealed His holiness and standards. The historical context of the giving of the Law was accompanied by divine manifestations—thunder, lightning, and the presence of God on the mountain—demonstrating its glory and significance.

how much more glorious
This phrase emphasizes the superiority of the New Covenant. The Greek "πολλῷ μᾶλλον" (pollō mallon) suggests an overwhelming increase in glory. Paul is making a rhetorical argument that if the Old Covenant, which brought condemnation, was glorious, then the New Covenant, which brings righteousness, is far more glorious. This comparison is meant to inspire awe and appreciation for the work of Christ.

is the ministry of righteousness
This refers to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. The Greek word for "righteousness" is "δικαιοσύνης" (dikaiosynēs), which means justice or the quality of being right. Unlike the Old Covenant, which highlighted human sinfulness, the New Covenant imparts righteousness to believers through faith in Christ. This righteousness is not earned but is a gift from God, made possible by the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. The New Covenant is characterized by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live righteously.

(9) If the ministration of condemnation be glory . . .--Many of the better MSS. give the reading, if there be glory to the ministry of condemnation. The latter phrase takes the place here of "the ministry of death" in 2Corinthians 3:7. The "letter," the "written law," as such, works death, because it brings with it the condemnation which awaits transgressors. It holds out to them the pattern of a righteousness which they have never had, and cannot of themselves attain unto, and passes its sentence on them as transgressors. Contrasted with it is the ministration which has "righteousness" as its object and result, and therefore as its characteristic attribute--the "law of the Spirit of life"--a law written in the heart, working not condemnation, but righteousness and peace and joy (Romans 8:1-4).

Verse 9. - The ministration of condemnation. The same antithesis between the Law as involving "condemnation" and the gospel as bestowing "righteousness" is found in Romans 5:18, 19. The glory; perhaps, rather, a glory; a stronger way of describing it as "glorious." Of righteousness. Involving the further conception of "justification," as in Romans 5:21; Romans 1:16, 17; Romans 4:25; Romans 5:21.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ministry
διακονία (diakonia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1248: Waiting at table; in a wider sense: service, ministration. From diakonos; attendance; figuratively aid, service.

of condemnation
κατακρίσεως (katakriseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2633: Condemnation, censure. From katakrino; sentencing adversely.

was glorious,
δόξα (doxa)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.

how much
πολλῷ (pollō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

more
μᾶλλον (mallon)
Adverb
Strong's 3123: More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.

glorious
δόξῃ (doxē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.

{is} the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ministry
διακονία (diakonia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1248: Waiting at table; in a wider sense: service, ministration. From diakonos; attendance; figuratively aid, service.

of righteousness!
δικαιοσύνης (dikaiosynēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1343: From dikaios; equity; specially justification.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 3:9 For if the service of condemnation has (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 3:8
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