a symbol of it. Second, Meyer and others, retaining the ordi- nary construction of the passage, make the apostle say, that the general truth that the lesser glory is eclipsed by the greater, was illustrated in this case, i. e. in the case of Moses and his ministry. This brings out the same sense as that given by the ordinary interpretation, but in a less natural way. That ichich loas made glorious, to SeSo^ao-fteVov, natu- rally refers to the definite subject of which the context treats, which is the ministry of Moses.
11. Por if that whicli was done away (was) glorious, much more that which remaineth (is) glorious.
A new ground of superiority. The old dispensation and its ministry were temporary, the new is permanent. There is nothing to intervene, no new revelation, no new economy, be- tween the gospel and its ministry, and the final consummation. Whoever are to be converted, whatever nations are to be brought in, it must be by the preaching of the gospel, ichich remaineth, or is to continue, according to Christ's promise, until the end of the world. In the former clause the apostle says the law was Sia 8o^s, loitli glory, in the latter, that the gospel was Iv ^o^rj, m glory. This is a mere variation of ex- pression without any difference of meaning. Comj). Rom. 3, 30. 5, 10. That the binding authority of the law ceased on the introduction of the gospel, is a doctrine which the apostle had to sustain against the Judaizing tendency of the early Christians, on many occasions. To this point the epistles to the Galatians and to the Hebrews are principally directed. As Paul's opponents in Corinth were of this class, there is little doubt that what he here says of the inferiority and tem- porary character of the old economy had a special reference to them ; while his strong assertion of his divine mission, of the dignity and superiority of the ministry which he had re- ceived, was intended to counteract the influence of their in- vidious attacks upon his authority. jSTo less clear is the incul- cation of the other great truth here presented. The gospel did away the law, but is itself never to be superseded. These are "the last times," the last dispensation, which is to con- tinue until the consummation of all things.