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by Katie Erickson

Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.
- 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

This passage starts with a few verses where Paul continues to explain his recent conduct to the Corinthians (which he started previously), but then Paul switches to discussing his service as an apostle.

Based on what we know from Acts 19-20, Paul sent Titus to Corinth with the “severe letter” he wrote to them while Paul continued his ministry in Ephesus. Paul eventually went to Troas, where he had planned to meet up with Titus. In verse 12, Paul says that he went to Troas to preach the gospel, but he doesn’t report any further on the success of his ministry and evangelism in Troas. God “opened a door” for him there, which likely implies opportunities to preach the gospel. Paul lived his life trusting in God to make a way for His mission to be completed, wherever he sent Paul to share the gospel.

But in spite of that open door, Paul did not have peace about the situation because of Titus’ absence (verse 13), showing the importance of this companionship in ministry. Paul also likely had concerns regarding the riot that had happened in Ephesus before he left (Acts 19:23-41) and worries for the church in Corinth. Even if Paul wasn’t physically present with a congregation, he still cared about their well-being and their spreading of the gospel message.

Paul's decision to move on to Macedonia demonstrates his resilience and flexibility in the face of adversity. Even though things did not go according to his plans, he did not allow setbacks to deter him from his mission. Paul continued to press on and continue his journey to the next location where God called him – Macedonia.

Now that Paul has finished the travel update content, he moves on to discuss his role as an apostle. In verse 14, he transitions with thanking God for always leading him, and he does that with great imagery. He likens believers to captives in Christ's triumphal procession, portraying the image of a victorious general leading captives in a parade. Here, Paul emphasizes the sovereignty of God in leading and guiding his people. He also highlights the privilege and responsibility of believers to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Christ wherever they go. Just as incense permeates the air in a triumphal procession, so too should the fragrance of Christ permeate the lives of believers, influencing and impacting those around them.

Paul elaborates on the metaphor of the aroma in verse 15, emphasizing its dual effect on those who encounter it. Believers are a pleasing aroma of Christ to those around them, drawing them closer to God and illuminating the path to salvation. However, to those who are perishing, the aroma of Christ may be offensive, serving as a reminder of their rebellion against God. This highlights the polarizing nature of the gospel message, which elicits different responses from different people.

In verse 16, Paul highlights the contrast of those two points of view: the aroma of Christ can bring either life or death to a person, depending on whether or not they have faith or are open to faith in Christ. Because of this contrast, this verse concludes with a sobering reflection on the weightiness of the task of proclaiming the gospel. The message of Christ can bring both life and death, depending on how it is received. This underscores the immense responsibility that believers carry as ambassadors of Christ. Despite the challenges and opposition we may face, we are called to faithfully proclaim the gospel, knowing that the ultimate outcome rests in God's hands.

But it’s not just the message that is important but our motivation with it. In verse 17, Paul distinguishes his ministry from others who may exploit the gospel for personal gain. He emphasizes the sincerity and authenticity with which he and his fellow workers proclaim the word of God. Their motivation is not financial gain or personal glory but a genuine desire to serve God and fulfill the mission entrusted to them. This serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of integrity and purity in Christian ministry.

We can glean several lessons from this passage. We are encouraged to persevere in our mission to spread the gospel as Paul did, even when we face obstacles and challenges. We should acknowledge and thank God for his guidance and provision in our ministry endeavors, whatever they may be. This applies to anyone who is obedient to God’s calling on their lives, not just those in vocational ministry.

We should be aware that not everyone will respond positively to the gospel message or the “aroma of Christ” that we as believers have in our lives. But that should not deter us from sharing the gospel with everyone anyway. When we do proclaim the gospel, we are to do so with sincerity and authenticity, avoiding any motivation of personal gain or self-interest.

Overall, this passage encourages us as followers of Jesus Christ to remain steadfast in our commitment to sharing the gospel, being mindful of the diverse responses it may elicit, and maintaining integrity and sincerity in our ministry efforts. As we journey through life, may we embrace our role as ambassadors of Christ, spreading the fragrance of his love and grace to a world in desperate need of redemption.

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