Paul’s Contrast of Covenants in 2 Corinthians 3

I just posted a translation of 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 in the translation section (which will be followed-up with verses 12-18 soon). In this section, Paul makes some contrasts between the Mosaic Covenant, and the New Covenant. Here is a list showing the contrasts:

Mosaic Covenant	New Covenant
written on tablets of stone (v.3,7; cf Exodus 31:18)	written on our hearts (v.3; cf Jer. 31:33, Ezek. 36)
Kills (v.6)	Gives life (v.6)
Ministry of Death (v.7) ἡ διακονία τού θανάτου	Ministry of the Spirit (v.8) ἠ διακονία τοῦ πνεύματος
Ministry that brings Condemnation (v.9) τῇ διακονία τῆς κατακρίσεως	Ministry that brings Righteousness (v.9) ἡ διακονία τῆς δικαιοσύνης
Glorious (vv 7, 9-11)	Glorious (v.8)
	Exceedingly Glorious (vv.9-11)
Fading (vv.7,11) κατακρίσεως	Lasts Forever (v.11) τὸ μένον

Adapted from Harris, Murray J, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, pg. 292.

What is interesting of note is that even though the overwhelming discussion of the Mosaic covenant seems to be negative- at least to our ears- Paul still considers it a glorious covenant. What is so glorious about something that brings death and condemnation?

I think the glory of the Mosaic covenant is essentially this: the covenant was still a covenant of grace. How is something that kills and condemns grace? Because it shows us our need for redemption. This is basically Paul’s point in Romans 7:7ff, that the Law shows us that we are sinners, offending a holy God. One of the ways that God gives revelation (I would argue the main way) is via covenants- God reveals Himself to us through his covenants. The Mosaic covenant is a revelation of what God expects of his creation, and our need for atonement. This law is grace, because it was not necessary for God to reveal this information to us, nor was it necessary for Him to enact any covenant by which he points us to a Redeemer. He would be perfectly just to let us continue ignorantly in our sin, destined to face the judgement our sin rightly deserves. But notice what Paul says of the New Covenant- that it is exceedingly far more glorious. As the great Pauline scholar, the author of Hebrews, also says:
“But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.” Hebrews 8:6
This is then followed up with the same quote that Paul is probably alluding to in 2 Corinthians 3:3, Jeremiah 31. This new covenant is a greater covenant, it is now written on the hearts of God’s people. How much more glorious is this covenant, which brings righteousness!