2 Corinthians 3:7-11: a reflection

7But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face, which was passing away, 8won’t service of the Spirit be with much more glory? 9For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses. 11For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

Paul compares the old covenant, given through Moses, with the new covenant of the Spirit, and marvels at the surpassing glory of the new. The old covenant, though it was a service of condemnation, came with such glory that the people could not look on Moses' face; yet its glory was fading, passing away. How much more, Paul says, does the ministry of the Spirit, the service of righteousness, exceed in glory. If the old, fading covenant had glory, the new covenant of the Spirit has far greater glory, and a glory that remains rather than fades. The gospel surpasses the old covenant in glory, and its glory endures.

Notice the surpassing, enduring glory Paul describes: the new covenant exceeds the old, and remains. The old covenant had real glory, so bright that Moses' face shone; yet that glory was fading, passing away. The new covenant of the Spirit has a glory that not only exceeds the old but remains, does not fade. The gospel is not a lesser thing than the law, but a greater; its glory surpasses that of the old covenant, and endures where the old faded. If the ministry that brought condemnation had glory, the ministry that brings righteousness and the Spirit has far more, and a glory that lasts. The gospel's glory is surpassing and enduring, greater than the glory that faded.

That is worth resting in, for the gospel we have is of surpassing and enduring glory, greater than the old covenant. We can undervalue the gospel, treating it as a lesser or ordinary thing; but Paul says its glory surpasses even the glory of the old covenant, and endures where the old faded. The ministry of the Spirit, the gospel of righteousness, is of surpassing glory, and its glory remains. Do not undervalue the gospel you have; it is of surpassing and enduring glory, greater than the old covenant, its glory remaining rather than fading. Value the surpassing and enduring glory of the gospel, the ministry of the Spirit and of righteousness, which exceeds even the glory of the old covenant and remains where that faded, as Paul marveled that the service of the Spirit is with much more glory; for the gospel we have is of a glory greater than the old covenant, and it does not fade but endures.

Lord, Paul compares the old covenant, given through Moses, with the new covenant of the Spirit, and marvels at the surpassing glory of the new. The old covenant, though it was a service of condemnation, came with such glory that the people could not look on Moses' face; yet its glory was fading, passing away. How much more, Paul says, does the ministry of the Spirit, the service of righteousness, exceed in glory. If the old, fading covenant had glory, the new covenant of the Spirit has far greater glory, and a glory that remains rather than fades. Show me the surpassing, enduring glory Paul describes: the new covenant exceeds the old, and remains. The old covenant had real glory, so bright that Moses' face shone; yet that glory was fading. The new covenant of the Spirit has a glory that not only exceeds the old but remains, does not fade. The gospel is not a lesser thing than the law, but a greater; its glory surpasses that of the old covenant, and endures where the old faded. Let me rest in that, for the gospel I have is of surpassing and enduring glory, greater than the old covenant. I can undervalue the gospel, treating it as a lesser or ordinary thing; but Paul says its glory surpasses even the glory of the old covenant, and endures where the old faded. Keep me from undervaluing the gospel I have; it is of surpassing and enduring glory, Lord. Help me value the surpassing and enduring glory of the gospel, the ministry of the Spirit and of righteousness, which exceeds even the glory of the old covenant and remains where that faded.