Abstract
According to a common interpretation, the difference between the old and new covenants in 2 Cor. 3.5-18 should be explained by taking the spirit as the new element which enables human beings under the new covenant to comply with the commandments of the law. The arguments for this interpretation are examined and found to be lacking. Rather, Paul describes a radical dualism between the old and the new covenants as such, where the function of the old is understood as condemnation and death and the function of the new is understood to be justification and life.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.