2 Corinthians 2:12-17

12: Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord,
13: I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia.

14: But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.
15: For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
16: to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
17: For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

*** 

Paul told of his travels since he had last written them earlier in the year. When he left Ephesus and reached Troas, he was troubled because Titus wasn’t there. They had arranged to meet there, and Titus was to bring word of how the Corinthians were doing. Paul was able to minister in Troas but then moved on to Macedonia where he found Titus, along with more conflict (2 Corinthians 7:5-8).

Paul, however, thanked God for triumph. Not only in finding Titus and hearing good news about the Corinthians, but in giving them triumph over all things. The same word used in the Lord’s triumph over the enemy (Colossians 2:15). Paul’s presence alone, wherever he went, displayed the power of God to save one who was once an enemy of Christ and his believers. Paul, who once persecuted the church travelled and preached the gospel he once opposed.

Paul compared the knowledge of Christ to a sweet fragrance which they released wherever they went—not just by spreading the sweet aroma, but by being the fragrance itself. They were a fragrance of Christ to those who were being saved—an aroma of life. Yet to those who were perishing—who didn’t believe—they were an aroma of death. 

To those who oppose the gospel, the triumph of Christ doesn't bring them life, but death. The belief that Christ is still dead and did not resurrect, is a hopeless message that leaves people in their sin which results in death. The message of the resurrected Christ is life, and brings life to those who believe.

Who was adequate to preach this great message? Paul and Co. were not like those who peddled the gospel for money—false teachers who preached for gain. Instead, they sincerely preached the Word of God, the message of Christ, as ones who were sent from God. When we receive the Lord and allow Him to triumph in our life, we will spread the same sweet fragrance of life to those around us who believe.


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