2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Paul knew how much he loved the believers at Corinth though some of them seemed to doubt that love.  Thus he continues to explain the situation to them regarding the fact he had not come to see them as he had intended.

Titus had gone to Corinth instead and was to meet up with Paul.  Paul had come to Troas and had a successful ministry there (a door was opened, v12).  Yet because Titus did not come Paul left Troas and crossed the Agean Sea to Macedonia (v13; perhaps to Philippi).  Apparently it was there that he met up with Titus who had a good report as to the wonderful way in which the Corinthians had received Paul’s severe letter (cf. 7:13-16).

Paul again breaks into his own explanation of his decision to explain something of greater importance.  From 2:14 through 6:10 Paul reminds the Corinthians of the essence of ministry.  While he is still defending his decision he uses the opportunity to lift our eyes to some lofty visions of Christ and how we are to serve Him.

Having said he left an “open door” in Troas one might wonder about Paul’s decision-making.  We usually think if the ministry is “growing” or prospering in some way that we should stay there.  Yet he explains his moving on to Macedonia as an act of God: Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ (v14).  From Paul’s testimony we see at least three things about the ministry that he calls “fragrant”.

o   It is people-centered (v12-13).  The successful ministry at Troas could be left in the hands of other competent associates.  But Paul’s heart-burden was for the Corinthians and how they had responded to his loving reproof.

o   It was triumphant (v14-16).  What Paul means here is that wherever he serves, God blesses.  God used him when people were being saved.  The words of the gospel lead one to give the aroma of life.  But God also used him when people rejected Christ.  The gospel leads these ones to give off the aroma of death.  The gospel of Christ is the watershed of all of life.  What men believe about Christ speaks clearly as to whether they are spiritually dead or alive.

o   It was sincere. God used Paul as a preacher of the gospel.  Thus his ministry saw many who rejected the gospel and some who received Christ by faith.  But some, Paul indicates, considered ministry a business.  They charged for the word of God.  Like any good business the goal is to make a profit, to have more buyers of your product.  The problem here is obvious: lighten up the gospel so that fewer people reject the offer of salvation through Christ alone.  But Paul would not do that!  Like the prophets of old he would only say what he had been given to say by God.

Think about this idea of fragrant ministry.  Are you engaged in this kind of ministry?  Do you support this kind of ministry?  Is your church characterized by this kind of ministry?