2 Corinthians 3:2

2 Corinthians 3:2

The Two Ministrations the Law and the Gospel.

I. There is perhaps something that, on the first mention, jars with our feelings in the fact that it was with a perfect knowledge that man could not obey the law, that the Almighty placed him under the law as a covenant. Yet in truth, there is no difficulty but what arises from the forgetfulness of union between the law and the gospel. If the two systems had been altogether detached, the law having no connection with the gospel, there would have existed great cause for wonder at God's having appointed a ministration of condemnation. But when it is remembered that the law was most strikingly introductory to the gospel, so that the covenant of works literally made way for the covenant of grace, all surprise ought to vanish, and all doubt to be removed, as to the institution being consistent with love. From the earliest moment of human apostasy, God's dealing with the fallen had always a reference to the works of atonement; He looked upon the world as a redeemed world, at the very instant of its becoming rebellious.

II. The gospel is a ministration of righteousness. It is, therefore., far surpassing the law in its glory. It is a ministration of righteousness (1) because it is a system which, assuming that man can have no meritorious righteousness of his own, puts man in a position wherein he appropriates the meritorious righteousness of another. (2) Because it proposes to us the righteousness of the High Priest of our profession, as the procuring cause of our acceptance with God. And (3) this gospel, while displaying a perfect righteousness which hath been wrought out for us,insists peremptorily on a righteousness which must be wrought in us by God's Spirit, making our holiness, though it can obtain nothing by way of merit, indispensably necessary by way of preparation. If then the law, though a ministration of condemnation, be glory, does not the gospel, the ministration of righteousness, much more exceed in glory?

H. Melvill, Penny Pulpit,No. 1929.

References: 2 Corinthians 3:2. Preacher's Monthly,vol. iv., p. 122; C. Morris, Preacher's Lantern,vol. ii., p. 298. 2 Corinthians 3:2; 2 Corinthians 3:3. T. J. Crawford, The Preaching of the Cross,p. 215; Outline Sermons to Children,p. 229. 2 Corinthians 3:3. E. Garbett, Experiences of the Inner Life,p. 84; A. J. Griffith, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvi., p. 198. 2 Corinthians 3:4; 2 Corinthians 3:5. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. v., p. 31. 2 Corinthians 3:4. F. W. Robertson, Lectures on Corinthians,p. 294. 2 Corinthians 3:5. Homilist,3rd series, vol. x., p. 277; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. vii., p. 88; W. M. Punshon, Sermons,p. 25.