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

2 CORINTHIANS 3:9KJV
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2 Corinthians 3:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 3:9 mean?

2 Corinthians 3:9 says that if the old way of serving God, which brought condemnation, had a certain glory, then the new way—centered on righteousness—has even greater glory. Paul is comparing the glory of the old covenant with the far greater glory of the new covenant through Christ.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, explaining the difference between the law given through Moses (which pointed out sin and led to condemnation) and the new covenant through Jesus (which brings righteousness). He wants his readers to see that the ministry of the Spirit, which brings people into right relationship with God, is far more glorious than the ministry that only revealed guilt.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 3:9

  • διακονία (diakonia, "ministration"): This word means service or ministry. Paul uses it to describe both the old and new ways God relates to people, showing that both are forms of serving God but with very different results.
  • κατάκρισις (katakrisis, "condemnation"): This word refers to a verdict of guilt or judgment. Paul calls the old covenant a "ministration of condemnation" because it exposed people's sins but could not free them from guilt.
  • δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē, "righteousness"): This word means being made right or just before God. The new covenant is called the "ministration of righteousness" because it brings people into a right standing with God through Christ.
  • δόξα (doxa, "glory"): This word means honor, splendor, or divine presence. Paul emphasizes that the glory connected to the new covenant is much greater than what was seen in the old.

Why 2 Corinthians 3:9 matters

  • 2 Corinthians 3:9 helps clear up the idea that the old covenant was bad or without value; Paul says it had glory, but its purpose was different from the new covenant.
  • The verse highlights the surpassing greatness of what Jesus brings compared to what came before, helping readers appreciate the depth of the gospel.
  • This comparison sets up the rest of Paul's argument in the chapter, where he explains why believers can have confidence and boldness in their relationship with God.

Where else these words appear

“condemnation” Greek G2633 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 7:3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

“ministration” Greek G1248 · used in 32 verses

  • Luke 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
  • Romans 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
  • 2 Corinthians 9:1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

“exceed” Greek G4052 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

“more” Greek G3123 · used in 81 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
  • 2 Corinthians 7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.