What took the place of the ministration of condemnation that was done away?
The ministration of righteousness, which is grace, took the place of the ministration of condemnation that was done away. The law could only condemn and bring death, but grace now operates instead, and the ministration of righteousness exceeds the former glory.
Les explains that the law's ministration was a condemnation to death; it could only condemn the individual, and death was the only alternative. If that ministration was done away, the whole concept of grace took its place. The ministration of righteousness now exceeds in glory—far more than the law could ever bring glory to Israel. By comparison, the glory of legalism is nothing next to grace. Les notes many today turn their back on grace and try to keep the commandments, which is a sad commentary.
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.