“For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away [was] glorious, much more that which remaineth [is] glorious.” (2Co 3:10-11 AV)
The book of Second Corinthians is a difficult one. Paul’s style of writing is different than all his other letters. In Second Corinthians, his thoughts don’t always carry naturally into succeeding entries. They are grouped into smaller thoughts that are sometimes disconnected. In the above entry, Paul is referring to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as far more glorious than the glory that came to God by His justice through the law. He speaks of the glory of Moses as he came from the mount with the two tables of stone upon which the law was etched. This law was given, in part, to condemn mankind as wicked. The principles upon which the law rested are eternal. These principles and laws were written on the heart of man since our inception. The two tables of stone were the written record. They were the legal entry in a court proceeding that condemned mankind and glorified the Creator. This is why a condemnation is referred to as a glory. But salvation in Jesus Christ and the sealing of the soul by the Holy Spirit of God is far more glorious. Paul states the former had been done away. Simply, the condemnation under the law. Not the law. It was done away by the grace of God in the ministry of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Let us follow Paul’s statement very closely. The former, that is the letter of the law, had glory. The glory, at least as Paul’s argument goes, is the glory of condemnation from a holy God. The law served more than mere condemnation. It declared the righteousness and holiness of God. Even if man did not fall and obeyed the law, the law would still have a purpose. But we want to reflect on the importance of the role of the law that condemns sin. We want to understand and accept that a law that condemns is not a bad thing. What we want to see is that the law, in that it is a standard to which all must comply, is a glorious thing. That which violates that law must suffer for that violation. Again, that is a beautiful thing. Order, law, and absolutes govern our universe. The universe itself forces conformity. It could not function otherwise. Things run as they should and must. Life comes from order. Disorder destroys. A clock that never loses time is impressive. An AI generated image that is indistinguishable from the real thing is astounding. A bird that flies in the air because of the laws of aerodynamics is mind-boggling. To see and study the order of things is fascinating. If our universe did not function in an orderly manner, it would chaotic and unsettling. Therefore, law and the consequences of law are glorious things. Even if there are consequences we would rather not witness, one must admit that order is far better than chaos. So as distasteful as it is to witness some hard things, one must admit that order is far better than disorder.
Yet there is a greater thought here. Paul says that because mankind has failed and the order of law is upheld, there is no hope. Man needs saving. As glorious as it is for God to see His creation function by order and law, it is far more glorious to redeem from condemnation that which has failed. It is like restoring a clock. Over time, the gears of the clock wear out, and the clock ceases to keep perfect time. The owner can be pleased that time is absolute, and the clock has ceased to function. It is time to act. What does he do? Does he rejoice that regardless of the clock's ability to tell time, time does not change? The law of time stands apart from the instrument that declares it. Absolute time wins. But in repairing the clock to ‘as new’ condition, time continues to be absolute. However, there is greater joy in repairing the clock than there is that time does not change. In this sense, the highest glory is the redemption of our souls. Not the absolute nature of the law. This is to what Paul is referring. The law still stands. It has not been replaced. But the God of love and grace sees a greater glory than establishing and enforcing law. He sees the redemption of those who have failed His perfect law as the greater glory!
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