Ambrosiaster : Paul says this because there is more glory in salvation than there is in death. However justly a judge may condemn some-one, he earns more honor if he shows mercy, so that the guilty party is given an opportunity to mend his ways. — COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES John Chrysostom : Also, he interprets more clearly the meaning of the words, "The letter killeth," declaring it to be that which we have said above, namely, that the Law showed sin, not caused it. "Much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory." For those Tables indeed showed the sinners and punished them, but this not only did not punish the sinners, but even made them righteous: for this did Baptism confer. — Homily 7 on 2 Corinthians Theodoret of Cyrus : The law condemned sinners, but grace receives them and justifies them by faith. It leads them to holy baptism and grants them forgiveness of sins. — COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 303