If you are like me, you have a bunch of old technology lying around the house that has been replaced by newer technology. I have old phones, old computers, old stereo gear, all of which has been replaced with newer, faster, better technology. I still have some of the old stuff, and some of it still works. It was wonderful while it was up to date, but now it’s been superseded by something far better. Old technology fades into insignificance in comparison to new technology.

That can also be true in a theological sense—the new replaces the old. Paul’s main point in this section is that the NC has replaced the OC. The OC was glorious, but the NC is far more glorious.

The Bible presents us with two major ages in history: OT and NT. Everything up until the death and resurrection of Jesus is covered by the OT. Everything after Jesus’ death and resurrection, especially after the founding of the church, is covered by the NT. These two covenants mark a significant difference between the OT people of Israel and the NT church.

One whole book of the Bible—Hebrews—is devoted to explaining the surpassing value of the NC over the OC.

In the previous section (3:6), Paul brought up the topic of the New Covenant. He calls himself and his colleagues “ministers of the new covenant.” Since we today operate under the NC, it’s important for us to value and understand that position.

In today’s passage, Paul presents for us the surpassing glory of the New Covenant. Why is the NC so much better than the OC?

There are two major sections in this passage—vss. 7-11, then 12-18. Today we’ll consider the first part of this, vss. 7-11.