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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Co_3:7-11
7But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, 8how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory? 9For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory. 10For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it. 11For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.
2Co_3:7 "if" This is a first class conditional sentence, which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes.
▣ "the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones" The purpose of the law was to show sinfulness (cf. Gal_3:24). This section, 2Co_3:7-18, is a rabbinical Midrash on Exo_34:23-35. There is a threefold use of "the veil" metaphor: (1) Moses; (2) contemporary Jews; (3) believers.
The old covenant is written by the finger of God on tablets of stone on Mt. Sinai (cf. Exodus 19-20). The new covenant, also written by God, is on the hearts of faithful followers (cf. Jer_31:31-34; Eze_36:22-38). The first is characterized by obedience to an external code, but the second, obedience to an internal relationship.
▣ "came with glory" See hyperlink at 1Co_2:7.
▣ "could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was" This relates to Exo_34:30-35. There has been much discussion about this passage. Some think Moses veiled his face to keep the Israelites from seeing the fading glory (cf. 2Co_3:7; 2Co_3:13). Others, however, think that Moses veiled his face because the Israelites could not stand the glory of God because of their sins.
2Co_3:8 This verse is contrasting the ministry of Moses, which reflected God's glory with the ministry of the Spirit who shares the Father's glory.
2Co_3:9 "if" This is another first class conditional sentence, which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes.
▣ "the ministry of condemnation" What a strong, shockingly negative way to describe the Old Covenant.
▣ "the ministry of righteousness" The OT produced condemnation for most of the children of Abraham. The NT produces righteousness for all the children of Adam if only they will trust in God's finished work in Christ and the wooing of the Spirit. See Special Topic: Righteousness at 1Co_1:30.
▣ "abound" This is a present active indicative of perisseuuô, which emphasizes its ongoing nature. See fuller note at 2Co_1:5 and Special Topic at 2Co_2:7.
2Co_3:10
NASB "For indeed what had glory, in this case has not glory because of the glory that surpasses it"
NKJV "For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect because of the glory that excels"
NRSV "Indeed, what once had glory has lost its glory because of the greater glory"
TEV "We may say that because of the far brighter glory now the glory that was so bright in the past is gone"
NJB "Indeed, what was once considered glorious has lost all claim to glory, by contrast with the glory which transcends it"
The OT is characterized as "had glory" (perfect passive indicative). It was surely from God and reflected God. However, the fuller revelation is in Christ, the glory of the NT (perfect passive participle). This comparison of YHWH's covenants is also developed in the book of Hebrews. See hyperlink at 1Co_2:7.
The definite article "to" (nominative, neuter, singular) is used as a grammatical place holder for "the old covenant" (most English translations have "what"). It is characterized in this context as
1. "written on tablets of stone," 2Co_3:3; 2Co_3:7
2. "the letter," 2Co_3:6
3. "the ministry of death," 2Co_3:7
4. "the ministry of condemnation," 2Co_3:9
▣ "surpasses" This is an intensified term from "over" or "beyond" and "to throw." Paul uses it here and in 2Co_9:14 (i.e., "The surpassing grace of God"). He also uses both perisseuô and huperballô in 2Co_11:23, where he compares his background and ministry with the credentials of the false teachers. Paul speaks with intense feelings and hyperbolic vocabulary! See Special Topic: Paul's Use of Huper Compounds at 1Co_2:1.
2Co_3:11 "if" This is another first class conditional sentence.
▣ "that which fades away" This is the term katargeô, which is used so often by Paul in his Corinthian letters (cf. 1Co_1:28; 1Co_2:6; 1Co_6:13; 1Co_13:8; 1Co_13:10-11; 1Co_15:24; 1Co_15:26; 2Co_3:7; 2Co_3:11; 2Co_3:13-14). For the Special Topic see 1Co_1:28.
▣ "that which remains is in glory" The contrast is not between that which is from God or has God's glory, but which has the greater glory and the abiding glory. The answer is the New Covenant in Christ, the New Age of the Spirit, and the now complete predestined eternal plan of redemption (cf. Act_2:22-24; Act_3:18-21; Act_4:28; Act_13:29-41).