2 Corinthians 3:7

“But if the ministration of death, etc..] The apostle having observed the difference between the law and the Gospel, the one being a killing letter, the other a quickening spirit, enlarges upon it, and more, fully explains it; and proceeds to take notice of other things in which they differ; and to show the superior glory and excellency of the one to the other; for that by “the ministration of death”, he means the law, as delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai, is clear from its being said to be written and engraven in stones; as that was by the finger of God himself: rightly does the apostle say, that it was both “written” and “engraven”; for the two tables of the law are expressly said to be…”

“the ministration of death--the legal dispensation, summed up in the Decalogue, which denounces death against man for transgression. written and engraven in stones--There is no "and" in the Greek. The literal translation is, "The ministration of death in letters," of which "engraven on stones" is an explanation. The preponderance of oldest manuscripts is for the English Version reading. But one (perhaps the oldest existing manuscript) has "in the letter," which refers to the preceding words (Co2 3:6), "the letter killeth," and this seems the probable reading. Even if we read as English Version, "The ministration of death (written) in letters," alludes to the literal precepts of the law as…”

“But if the ministration of death - In the previous verses, Paul had referred incidentally to the institutions of Moses, and to the superiority of the gospel. He had said that the former were engraved on stones, but the latter on the heart 2 Corinthians 3:3; that the letter of the former tended to death, but the latter to life 2 Corinthians 3:6. This sentiment he proceeds further to illustrate, by showing in what the superior glory of the gospel consisted. The design of the whole is, to illustrate the nature, and to show the importance of the ministerial office; and the manner in which the duties of that office were to be performed. That the phrase “ministration of death” refers to the Mosaic…”

“And if the ministration of death - That is, the Mosaic dispensation, which proves such to those who prefer it to the gospel, the most considerable part of which was engraven on those two stones, was attended with so great glory. 2 Corinthians 3:8”

“3:7-11 The old covenant had its moments of glory, such as when Moses’ face . . . shone from his communion with the Lord (Exod 34:29-35). • The old way has been replaced by the new way, which is eternal (Heb 8:8-13).”

“the ministration: Co2 3:6, Co2 3:9; Rom 7:10 written: Co2 3:3; Exo 24:12, Exo 31:18, Exo 32:15, Exo 32:16, Exo 32:19, Exo 34:1, Exo 34:28; Deu 4:13, Deu 5:22, Deu 9:9-11, Deu 9:15; Deu 10:1-4; Heb 9:4 was: Deu 4:8; Neh 9:13; Psa 19:7, Psa 19:8, Psa 119:97, Psa 119:127, Psa 119:128, Psa 119:174; Rom 7:12-14, Rom 7:22; Gen 3:21 that: Exo 34:29-35; Luk 9:29-31; Act 6:15 which: Co2 3:10, Co2 3:11, Co2 3:14; Rom 10:4; Co1 13:10 2 Corinthians 3:8”