What are the next series of verses examples of?
The next series of verses are examples of the difference between law and grace. They illustrate that the letter of the Law kills, while the Spirit gives life. Law can only condemn and pronounce guilty, but grace through the Holy Spirit gives life.
Les teaches that in these next series of verses, most casual readers would never catch it, but they are one example after another of the difference between law and grace. Paul writes that God made us able ministers of the New Testament, not of the letter but of the Spirit. When Paul speaks of the letter, he refers to the Law of Moses. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Law could do nothing but condemn and had no life-giving power whatsoever. People are foolish who say they are trying to do the best they can and keeping the commandments, because the commandments can only kill and pronounce them guilty. Grace, epitomized by the Word, the Spirit, and the work of the Holy Spirit, gives life. Les also reminds us from the resurrection study in I Corinthians chapter 15 that in the eternal state we will no longer be flesh and blood but flesh and bone, with life now in the Spirit. That same Spirit is the power from on high, the Holy Spirit who gives life.