More Than EnoughVzorec

In 2 Corinthians 1:12–2:13, we learned that Paul changed his travel plans to spare the Corinthians more pain after a difficult previous visit and a confrontational letter. The Corinthians were upset with those changes, accusing Paul of lacking integrity and making decisions according to human wisdom. Ultimately, we learned that Paul served according to God’s direction rather than his own and wasn’t swayed by the desires or demands of others. Paul picked up this thread in today’s passage, identifying all Christians as inherently living under this same compulsion.

Read 2 Corinthians 2:14-17.

What Does the Passage Say?

In 2 Corinthians 2:14 Paul gave thanks to God for two ways He had acted and continued to act on Paul’s behalf. Read the verse and take note of the action verbs that describe how God acts. Then look for the two words that describe how often and to what extent God acts in this way:

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession

and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place.”

In the word picture he gave in verse 14, Paul locates himself (and other believers) as being part of Christ’s triumphal procession, “spread[ing] the aroma of the knowledge of [Christ] in every place.” He says that, to God, we are the fragrance of Christ, and in verses 15-16 Paul says that this fragrance smells like death leading to death for some, and like life leading to life for others.

Paul defends the nature of his ministry here, saying his ministry was characterized by both what he refused to do and what he actually did. Read verse 17 and note what those things were.

Paul’s words and service were sincere because they were: in Christ; from God, and before God.

What Does the Passage Mean?

In Paul’s day, when a Roman general conquered in battle he was awarded a victory parade when he returned home. The general, on a chariot drawn by four horses, paraded his conquered enemy through the streets. Each captive burned incense as they walked along, many to their execution. The incense was quite literally the smell of victory and the aroma of death.1

Paul used the word picture of triumphal procession as a teaching tool. We’re going to match the characters and components of a Roman victory parade with Paul’s example of Christ’s triumphal procession in verses 14-16. The conquering general: Christ. The conquered enemy: us. The burning incense: the aroma of death AND the aroma of life.

In fact, we are the ones marching in the victory parade as the conquered enemy. We were once enemies of God, but Jesus has conquered sin and death in us. Instead of humiliating us as His enemies, Jesus has shared His victory with us! That is why Paul, the conquered enemy, can say, “Thanks be to God!” in verse 14. It follows that the figurative incense carried by those in Christ is both the aroma of death (we have been crucified with Christ) and the aroma of victory (we are also raised with Christ, victors with Him over death). Amazing! Thanks be to God!

Paul’s sacrificial service, proclamation of the gospel, and suffering were how others “smelled” the knowledge of Jesus. In the same way, God will use us to bring others to Him. Some to whom we proclaim Christ will “smell” Him in us as a sacrifice that offers them life, and in turn will receive Him. Others will “smell” Him in us as a death they don’t want or need and reject Him, experiencing separation from God. There are no in-betweens—making this, at times, a difficult proclamation and an overwhelming call. Who is up for such a task?

Paul asked this question too, and we’ll arrive at his answer soon enough. But for now, we see that Paul has given us a framework from which to see ourselves: we’re conquered enemies, sharing in Christ’s victory. We demonstrate that victory through our sacrificial service to others before God. This is not a sacrifice we have to design or uncover. Rather, God leads us to the people and places where we’re to tell of this victory. It is God who does the work of spreading through us the knowledge of Christ. And it is Christ who has made all this possible.

So, who is adequate for service that has eternal significance? We are—through Christ alone. This is sincere service, and it is significant to God.

How Must I Respond?

Paul contrasted sincere service to God with the work of those who were marketing God in order to profit. He was alluding to the false teachers who had infiltrated the Corinthian church and will directly address them later in the letter.

In what ways, if any, do you use God or His Word to boost your reputation, get what you want, or bring yourself honor or glory? In what ways, if any, do you speak publicly about God or His Word while living contrary to what you’re speaking? Take some time to think and pray about your responses to these questions.

Come up with a statement that encapsulates what you learned in the Word today. Ask God to imprint that truth on your heart and help you apply the truth in specific ways.

1.Mark Cartwright, “Roman Triumph,” World History Encyclopedia, May 5, 2016, https://www. worldhistory.org/Roman_Triumph/.