2nd Corinthians Chapter 3 verse 9 Holy Bible
For if the ministration of condemnation hath glory, much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
read chapter 3 in ASV
For if the operation of the law, producing punishment, had its glory, how much greater will be the operation of the Spirit causing righteousness?
read chapter 3 in BBE
For if the ministry of condemnation [be] glory, much rather the ministry of righteousness abounds in glory.
read chapter 3 in DARBY
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
read chapter 3 in KJV
read chapter 3 in WBT
For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
read chapter 3 in WEB
for if the ministration of the condemnation `is' glory, much more doth the ministration of the righteousness abound in glory;
read chapter 3 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 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.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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).
