2 Corinthians 3:9

“For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, etc..] So the Jews call the law, for they say, hrwt ala dwbk ˆya, “there is no glory but the law” f30; this is another head of opposition or difference between the law and the Gospel, from whence the superior glory of the one to the other is argued. The law is “the ministration of condemnation”; as sin is a transgression of the law, it accuses for it, convinces of it, pronounces guilty, and adjudges to death on account of it; which is the condemnation it ministers; and this it does to all Adam's posterity, and for his sin too; and to all the actual transgressors of it, to all unbelievers, to all that are under it; even to God's elect…”

“ministration of condemnation--the law regarded in the "letter" which "killeth" (Co2 3:6; Rom 7:9-11). The oldest existing manuscript seems to read as English Version. But most of the almost contemporary manuscripts, versions, and Fathers, read, "If to the ministration of condemnation there be glory." the ministration of righteousness--the Gospel, which especially reveals the righteousness of God (Rom 1:17), and imputes righteousness to men through faith in Christ (Rom 3:21-28; Rom 4:3, Rom 4:22-25), and imparts righteousness by the Spirit (Rom 8:1-4). exceed--"abound."”

“For if the ministration of condemnation - Of Moses in giving the Law, the effect of which is to produce condemnation. Law condemns the guilty; it does not save them. It denounces punishment; it contains no provisions of pardon. To pardon is to depart from the Law; and must be done under the operation of another system - since a law which contains a provision for the pardon of offenders, and permits them to escape, would be a burlesque in legislation. The tendency of the Mosaic institutions, therefore, was to produce a sense of condemnation. And so it will be found by all who attempt to be justified by the Law. It will tend to, and result in, their condemnation. Be glory - Be glorious; or be…”

“The ministration of condemnation - Such the Mosaic dispensation proved to all the Jews who rejected the gospel whereas through the gospel (hence called the ministration of righteousness) God both imputed and imparted righteousness to all believers. But how can the moral law (which alone was engraven on stone) be the ministration of condemnation, if it requires no more than a sincere obedience, such as is proportioned to our infirm state? If this is sufficient to justify us, then the law ceases to be a ministration of condemnation. It becomes (flatly contrary to the apostle's doctrine) the ministration of righteousness. 2 Corinthians 3:10”

“the ministration of condemnation: Co2 3:6, Co2 3:7; Exo 19:12-19, Exo 20:18, Exo 20:19; Rom 1:18, Rom 8:3, Rom 8:4; Gal 3:10; Heb 12:18-21 the ministration of righteousness: Co2 5:21; Isa 46:13; Jer 23:6; Rom 1:17, Rom 3:21, Rom 3:22, Rom 4:11, Rom 5:15-21, Rom 10:3-10; Co1 1:30; Gal 5:4, Gal 5:5; Phi 3:9; Pe2 1:1 exceed: Co2 3:10, Co2 3:11; Co1 15:41; Heb 3:5, Heb 3:6 2 Corinthians 3:10”