2 Corinthians 2:12-17
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 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? 17 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.
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 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? 17 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.
Paul followed the doors opened by Christ for the gospel, and so he also adjusted course when moved as here to find Titus. He thanks God for victorious guidance for the gospel’s sake, knowing that the knowledge of Christ is like a sweet incense or acceptable sacrifice to God. Everywhere he takes the gospel men are drawn by it and God is pleased and glorified in it. Those God draws to salvation see Christ as that aroma of eternal life, yet those going to judgment smell only death apart from Him. The end of the matter so solemn is that Paul takes this charge to spread the gospel seriously, not for his own gain, but sincerely before God and man with truth. We also need no methods, but sincere and accurate truth which points those drawn to the sweet smell of the sacrifice of Christ.
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