II Corinthians 3:(7-8)-11 “But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?”
Paul contrasted the glory of “the ministration of death”, “the letter” that “killeth” (II Corinthians 3:5-6) to the glory of “the ministration of the spirit”, “the spirit” that “giveth life” (II Corinthians 3:5-6). The Old Testament Laws were many and very rigid, for they illustrated what true perfection looked like, and death was the penalty for disobedience. Generation after generation, Israel suffered miserably and many even died because of their disobedience. The ceremonial laws all pointed to another death, the death of our Savior! However, “the ministration of death”, “the letter” was glorious because it was given by God, and it pointed to the coming Messiah. But, “the ministration of the spirit”, “the spirit” that “giveth life” is more glorious because it testifies that the Messiah, Jesus Christ our Savior has come and has given His precious life to “free” us “from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). Yes, because of sin our bodies will die, but because of our Lord’s glorious Grace “in” our “flesh shall” we “see God” (Job 19:26); that is, in our resurrected bodies (I Corinthians 15). Bringing forward “the ministration of death”, “the letter” that “killeth” into the New Testament Church, is no Gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-7)), it disheartens the Children of God and drives them away in despair and causes them to look for comfort in activities that only appeals to their carnal nature. Let us never forget, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24). The “truth” is essential to our joy and peace and is a requisite for “worship”.