The term "Ministration of Death" is a phrase used by the Apostle Paul to describe the Law of Moses in his second letter to the Corinthians. This designation highlights the role of the Mosaic Law in revealing sin and its consequences, ultimately pointing to the need for a Savior. The Law, given to the Israelites through Moses, is a central component of the Old Testament and encompasses commandments, statutes, and ordinances that governed the religious, moral, and civil life of Israel.

Biblical Reference:

In 2 Corinthians 3:7, Paul writes, "Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?" . Here, Paul contrasts the temporary and condemning nature of the Law with the life-giving and eternal ministry of the Spirit through the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ.

Purpose and Function:

The Law of Moses served several purposes:

1. Revelation of Sin: The Law was instrumental in defining sin and making humanity aware of its sinful nature. Romans 3:20 states, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin" . By setting a standard of holiness, the Law exposed human shortcomings and the inability to achieve righteousness through human effort alone.

2. Condemnation and Death: The Law pronounced judgment on those who failed to adhere to its commands, resulting in spiritual death. Romans 7:10-11 explains, "So I discovered that the very commandment that was meant to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through the commandment put me to death" . The Law, therefore, acted as a mirror reflecting the spiritual death that sin incurs.

3. Foreshadowing Christ: The Law also served as a tutor leading to Christ, as stated in Galatians 3:24, "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith" . The sacrificial system and various ordinances pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who fulfilled the Law and offered redemption.

Contrast with the New Covenant:

The "Ministration of Death" is contrasted with the New Covenant, which is characterized by the "Ministration of the Spirit." The New Covenant, established through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, offers life and righteousness through faith. As Paul elaborates in 2 Corinthians 3:9, "For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness!" . The New Covenant surpasses the old in glory and effectiveness, providing believers with the indwelling Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life.

Implications for Believers:

For believers, the understanding of the Law as the "Ministration of Death" underscores the necessity of grace and faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. It serves as a reminder of the insufficiency of human efforts to attain righteousness and the need to rely on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The Law's role in revealing sin and pointing to Christ remains a foundational aspect of Christian theology, emphasizing the transition from the old to the new and the hope found in the Gospel.2 Corinthians 3:7
But if the ministration of death, written and engraved 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:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Judges Said: Speak to those Points, Archelaus, which He Has ...
... Moses came, inasmuch as multitudes were assuredly held under the power of death
even after Moses. And the law was called a "ministration of death" from the ...
/.../30 the judges said speak.htm

Shall Speak Now with the Utmost Brevity of the Veil of Moses and ...
... his testament; [1957] for he says in the law: [1958] "A ... this is the veil which is
on Moses; for it ... Old Testament, inasmuch as they who are called Israel from ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/43 i shall speak now.htm

Whether the New Law Justifies?
... OF THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL, CALLED THE NEW LAW, CONSIDERED IN ... A man making void the
Law of Moses dieth without ... of stone: whereas He gave the New Law written "in ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the new law justifies.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... "Letter" is the whole Law of Moses, or the ... you shall do, that you shall eschew."
This is what the apostle calls "the letter," or, as we have called it on ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

Wish You to Know, Most Pious Father, that in These Days There Has ...
... man;" [1871] while here in the Gospel Jesus called the poor ... to establish the position
that the law of Moses is the ... of Jesus, on the contrary, is the law of life ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/40 i wish you to.htm

Why the Pharisees were not a Plant of God. Teaching of Origen on ...
... that they worship God according to the law of Moses. ... this world, and on this account
is called by Paul ... to be understood in regard to the law, the ministration ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/14 why the pharisees were.htm

The Passage in Corinthians.
... not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the ... the ministration of condemnation,"
since the law entered that ... in it, that the Decalogue is called "the letter ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 24 the passage in corinthians.htm

2 Cor. Iii. 7, 8
... And Moses called them, and spake unto them. ... the Epistle of Christ;" and here, "But
we all with open face." Yet they came, like Moses, bringing a law. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily vii 2 cor iii.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... to bear the yoke of righteousness, so that when they are called, they are ... persons,
from not attending to this, boldly discard the whole law of Moses, and do ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... 3:5, 6.) "The law was given by Moses; Grace and ... 9:14,) which is likewise on this
account called "the blood ... believeth." (Romans 1:16.) (ii.) The old law was an ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm

What is the spirit of the law? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the law, but did not abolish it? | GotQuestions.org

What is natural law? | GotQuestions.org

Law: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus