2 Corinthians 2:12-17 (WEL) Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach the Good News about Christ, a door of opportunity was opened for me by the Lord. 13 I had no rest in my spirit because I didn’t find Titus, my brother. So, saying goodbye to them, I went to Macedonia. 14 I give thanks to God, who always leads us to triumph in Christ and spreads the fragrance of his knowledge through us everywhere. 15 For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ to God, both to those who are saved and those who perish. 16 To the one, we are the fragrance of death to death, and to the other, the fragrance of life to life. Who is competent for such things? 17 We are not like many who make money off the Word of God, but we speak in sincerity [transparently with no hidden motives] as sent from God, in God’s sight, and in Christ.
V12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach the Good News about Christ, a door of opportunity was opened for me by the Lord.
The Lord opens doors of opportunity. Why does He open some doors and not others? It might be that a certain city or place might be ready and willing to hear the Gospel, whereas another city or place was not ready or willing.
We know God’s guidance by:
• Reading and studying the Bible
• Prayer
• Godly counsel
• God’s rules (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
V13 I had no rest in my spirit because I didn’t find Titus, my brother. So, saying goodbye to them, I went to Macedonia.
Zerr comments: “But he had expected to meet Titus there to report how the church had reacted to his first epistle. Not seeing him at this time, his disappointment cut short the work, and the apostle went on to Macedonia, another province made up of Greek people, lying just north of Greece proper.”
We all need encouragement from God and other believers. Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Acts 16:40, and Ephesians 6:22. God comforts us in many ways as His promises. One example is in Hebrews 13:5.
V14 I give thanks to God who always leads us to triumph in Christ and spreads the fragrance of His knowledge through us everywhere.
Note God’s intentions and actions towards us to always lead us to victory. He wants us to be victorious.
This is sweet-smelling fragrances. God’s knowledge, Gospel, worldview, lifestyle, and rules bring inner, family, society, church fellowship, and blessings of the fruits of the Spirit.
(Ryrie Study Bible Notes) “The picture is of a Roman conqueror leading his captives in triumph. Paul gladly considered himself one of Christ’s captives being led in triumph, to the glory of Christ.”
(Holman Commentary) “He was concerned about his relationship with the Corinthians. Titus had gone to Corinth to organize the collection for poverty-stricken Jerusalem. He was to report, among other things, the feelings of the Corinthians toward Paul. Not knowing how the Corinthians felt about him, Paul bypassed Corinth and waited for Titus in Macedonia.”
V15 For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ to God, both to those who are saved and those who perish.
We are God’s ambassadors in this world. We are citizens of heaven and must live according to God’s rules (Galatians 6:2). If we live by the world’s standards, then we are a stench in God’s nose (Isaiah 65:5).
V16 To the one we are the fragrance of death to death and to the other the fragrance of life to life. Who is competent for such things?
To unbelievers, we are despised. To believers, we are preaching the words of life.
V17 We are not like many who make money off the Word of God, but we speak in sincerity [transparently with no hidden motives] as sent from God, in God’s sight, and in Christ.
This is what is termed the Evangelical Industry Complex by making money from preaching, writing, and conferences. For some, it is a goal to be materially wealthy from books, etc.
We learn:
• To encourage others and to receive the encouragement from others.
• Depending on one’s response to the Gospel, we are either despised or acknowledged.
Questions:
• Where do you get your encouragement from?
• Are you preaching, teaching, or writing for personal gain or the glory of God?