What is the ministration of condemnation according to this passage?
The ministration of condemnation is the law, which could only condemn the individual and leave death as the only alternative. It was a condemnation to death, the legal system God mandated for Israel, and its glory is surpassed by the ministration of righteousness and the operation of grace.
Les explains that the ministration of condemnation is the law, which could only condemn the individual, and once condemned, death was the only alternative. It is a condemnation to death. He notes that if this was going to be done away in verse 7, grace now takes its place. In verse 9, if the ministration of condemnation was glorious, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. As great as the law system was while operating in Israel, it cannot be compared with grace. Les says legalism was the way God mandated to Israel, but by comparison with grace it is nothing. He laments that millions turn their back on grace and try to keep the commandments, calling it a sad commentary.
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.