“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses (disperses, distributes) the fragrance (scent, aroma) of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the AROMA OF LIFE LEADING TO LIFE. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, WE SPEAK IN THE SIGHT OF GOD IN CHRIST.” (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)
Paul’s description of his restless spirit in the previous verse, however, turns to a SUDDEN EXCLAMATION OF VICTORY. He declares, “Thanks be to God” and describes God’s work as something many of his readers would have been familiar with a Roman victory procession. This was a parade in which a victorious Roman general would march his soldiers and captured enemies through the streets in triumph. Paul compares that to WHAT GOD DOES FOR BELIEVERS IN CHRIST. He leads us in a triumphal procession, making use of us as prisoners captured from the enemy, in a sense, now available TO ACCOMPLISH GOD’S PURPOSES. In the Roman victory parades, incense was burned in celebration of the defeat of Rome’s enemies. In that way, PEOPLE COULD BOTH SEE AND SMELL THE EVIDENCE OF A CAPTURED FOE as it passed by. Paul describes God’s use of His willing captives, Christians, in a similar way. HE USES US TO SPREAD THE FRAGRANCE OF HIS KNOWLEDGE EVERYWHERE WE GO. We serve His purpose of spreading the truth of the gospel down every street He leads us along.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham