The Letter and the Spirit
By James Taphouse
“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament [or covenant]; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away,” etc. 2 Cor. 3:6, 7. This scripture has been the subject of much controversy; and many, to evade the keeping of the fourth commandment, are teaching that the law engraven in stones was done away at the cross; but Paul’s argument in this chapter is one of the strongest vindications of the perpetuity of the law of God to be found in the Bible. It will be noticed that the old covenant is not once mentioned in this chapter, but the apostle is comparing, by contrast, the ministration of the letter, of death, and of condemnation, with the ministration of the Spirit, of life, and of righteousness. What is the ministration of the letter?—It is the execution of the penalty of the law; for Paul says, “The letter killeth.” But he also declares that the ministration of death was glorious. Wherein did its glory consist?—In ministering death, not upon the guilty sinner, but upon an innocent and sinless victim, chosen as a substitute to take the sinner’s place. Thus the ministration of death was glorious, in that it was a revelation, in figure, of God’s appointed remedy for the transgression of that which was written and engraven in stones; and Jesus voluntarily submitted to the dreadful agonies of its ministration, which he did not deserve, that he might bestow upon us the gift of righteousness, which we do not deserve. He voluntarily submitted to the condemnation of the law, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us. Rom. 8:3, 4. A life equal in value to that of8all created intelligences had been poured out; and now God could be just, and the justifier of all who believe in Jesus. Rom. 3:26. After speaking of the glory of the ministration of death, the apostle continues: “How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.” 2 Cor. 3:8, 9. What is the ministration of the Spirit, or righteousness?—It is of the writing of that which was engraven in stones upon the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit (Heb. 10:15-17), declaring them to be epistles of Christ, known and read of all men. 2 Cor. 3:2, 3. Had it not been for the blindness of their minds, the children of Israel might have looked upon God’s glory in the face of Moses, and steadfastly viewed the promised Saviour as the end of that which was to be abolished by the sacrifice of himself. 2 Cor. 3:13. “Who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Tim. 1:10. Paul says that “until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament.” 2 Cor. 3:14. “Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.” Verse 16. Ancient Israel, because of the blindness of their hearts, in the reading of the old testament, could not see Jesus as their deliverer from sin; so likewise many of God’s professed people to-day have the veil upon their hearts in the reading of the new testament, and while claiming to believe in Jesus, they do not see that “in his life the law appears, drawn out in living characters;” that in the gospel is revealed the keeping of the commandments of God; and that the faith of Jesus is the supply of law-keeping power to every believer. Rom. 1:16, 17. Under the influence of the heavenly anointing, that which was written and engraven in stones will be recognized as the divine portrait of the character of Jesus; and so we all, with unveiled face, reflecting as in a mirror the glory, or character, of the Lord, are transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:18, R. V.