From a vindication of his apostleship by pointing out the work of grace that was wrought in the hearts and lives of the Corinthians under his ministry, Paul has moved on to show the excellency of that gospel he has been commissioned to preach. He is basically asking the question: “If honour was due to servants of God under the Old Testament, how much more ought they to be honoured who labour for the Lord under the gospel?”

The verses that we will look at today set forth the superiority of the New over the Old.

I. THE GOSPEL IS SUPERIOR IN ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Old Testament is called the ministration of death and condemnation, verse 7, 8. The New Testament is called the ministration of the spirit, verse 8. One accomplishes an awful lot more than the other.

1. The outworking of the law. It condemns. When given to perfect Adam, it was the law of life. But to fallen man, it is the ministration of condemnation and death. It reveals the perfect will of God for man to obey and when disobeyed it pronounces death, AND THAT IS ALL IT CAN DO. It has no remedy for sin. All it can accomplish is the condemnation and death of the guilty sinner.

2. It serves the purpose of preparing the way for the gospel. It is a John the Baptist, it prepares the way of the Lord. Rom 3:19-20; 8:3; Gal 3:24. Here is what it can do and here is what it cannot do. The law shut a man up to the fact that he is a condemned sinner with no hope in himself.

3. The outworking of the gospel is much superior. It is called the ministration of the spirit and of righteousness, verse 8-9. By the gospel, the salvation of sinners is accomplished and that by the agency of the Holy Spirit. He is imparted to and indwells the redeemed sinner. The sinner is redeemed by virtue of the righteousness of Christ revealed in the gospel. He came to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9:24). The work of Christ is revealed to the heart of the sinner by the Holy Spirit, and grace is imparted so that Christ is received by faith. The gospel reveals a righteousness corresponding to the demands of the law and offers that righteousness to every man who will believe in Christ.

It is truly the ministry of the Holy Spirit. His graces and comforts and helps come to us through the gospel alone. He convinces and convicts; He converts and comforts; He seals and grants assurance; He sanctifies and strengthens.

The law never could impart such graces and blessings.