October 18 Click on verses for Full Scripture

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Today's Pathway: II Corinthians 2:12-16 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

Paul now returns to explaining to the church that his failure to visit them on his trip to Macedonia as he originally planned to do was not because of his lack of concern for them. While still in Ephesus Paul had sent Titus to Corinth to find out how they were responding to his directions in his previous letter. He himself went to Troas to preach. However, while he was there, in spite of the great opportunities presented to him he was still very concerned because he had expected to meet Titus so he could receive a report from him about how the Corinthians were doing. Titus was unable to meet him, so Paul had no idea if the church was following his leadership or not. As a side note, when Paul mentions in II Corinthians 11:23-28 all the various trials that he faced in his service to the Lord, the last one he mentions is "that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches". Paul's care for the church at Corinth was such that his spirit was unable to rest because he did not know whether or not they were choosing to do the right thing. Thus, Paul is letting the church know that, even though he had not come to see them as planned, it was not because of a lack of interest in their spiritual well being, for even though absent he had still been burdened for them.

In verses 14 Paul transitions from his disappointment at not meeting Titus to thankfulness to the Lord. In spite of things not going the way he had planned, and also his concern for the Corinthians, Paul knew that God was continually giving him the victory through Christ. Fritz Rienecker explained the word "triumph" this way:

"The picture is the triumphal entry of a military hero into the city of Rome. The victorious Roman general marched into the city in a long procession preceded by the city magistrates. They were followed by trumpeters, then the spoils taken from the enemy, followed by the king of the conquered country, then officials of the victorious army and musicians dancing and playing; and at last the general himself, in whose honor the whole wonderful pageant was taking place."

In verses 15-16 Paul contrasts the ways that the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ is received. Both those who believe and those who reject hear the same message, but they respond in different ways. David Egner gave this illustration and application:

"I was visiting a cattle ranch. As my friend and I walked to the barn, he took a deep breath and commented, 'Doesn’t it smell great? I love coming out here. The sights and smells are wonderful!' I didn't think so. Having grown up in the city, I told him I thought it smelled like something had died. What had the odor of life to him smelled like death to me. This reminds me of what the apostle Paul wrote about how people respond to the Gospel. As we journey through life, we proclaim the good news about Christ by our holiness and testimony. And our message is received in one of two ways. To those who hear and believe, the story of Christ is a sweet, welcome aroma. But to those who reject Him, it has the repulsive odor of death. The gospel forces them to face the thought of death and eternity, which terrifies them. The bouquet of flowers that reminds some people of a pleasant spring garden reminds others of a funeral home. The message of salvation through Christ is the smell of death to those who do not accept Him. But to those who believe in Jesus, it is the wonderful perfume of life."

What "fragrance" does the knowledge of Christ have for you? And, if you have found it to be a sweet smelling savour, are you willing to share that fragrance with others even though some may not like it?