People can smell us all the time; not our cologne or perfume, but our Christianity. That is one of the metaphors Paul uses in 2 Corinthians 2 to portray our influence on others around us.
Up to this point in 2 Corinthians, we have seen that God comforts us so we can comfort others (1:3-4). Paul and Timothy had the ‘sentence of death’ in themselves but they trusted in God (1:9). They had conducted themselves among the Corinthians in holiness, godly sincerity, and in grace (1:12). God’s promises are all “yes” in Christ (1:19-20). The Corinthians are standing firm in their faith (1:24), but that wasn’t always the case and it is still precarious.
In chapter 2, Paul writes that he did not want to come to them again in sorrow (ver. 1). In 1 Corinthians, especially chapter 5, Paul had rebuked the Corinthians for tolerating a man living in sexual immorality. His subsequent visit had, apparently, not gone well. But, the Christians repented of their sin and had, apparently, withdrawn fellowship from that individual. It appears this is the context which motivates Paul’s thoughts here.
Because he, and they, had done what they were supposed to do, when Paul comes for his next visit, it will be joyful for everyone involved (ver. 2-3). All church discipline should be done in love, motivated out of the Christ-like desire to motivate sinners to repent of their sins and correct their behavior.
Subsequently, when one does repent, faithful Christians should be very quick to forgive and comfort him or her. Raise them back to the level of Christian fellowship where they were before. Otherwise, Satan could attack them in their discouragement and draw them back into the world. The verb “to overwhelm” (ver. 7) is found in other texts: Matt. 23:24 – “swallow;” 1 Cor. 15:54 – “swallowed up;” 2 Cor. 2:7; 5:4 – “swallowed up;” Heb. 11:29 – “drown;” 1 Peter 5:8 – “drown;” Rev. 12:16 – “drank up.” In short, they should “reaffirm” their love for him (ver. 8).
Paul says he wrote them, partially, to test their character, to see if they really were willing to obey Jesus in all things (ver. 9). If the man had repented, Paul would forgive him just as the Corinthians would. This was done in the presence of Christ, that is, with His approval and authority (ver. 10). If we do not walk closely with Christ in all His commands, we will be taken advantage of, defrauded, by Satan (ver. 11). But, we are not ignorant of how he works!
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In verses 12-13, Paul emphasizes how much he longed to hear about them from Titus. Then, in verses 14-17, Paul portrays Christ as a king, returning from battle, with plunder in His arms, leading a triumphal procession. As He gives off this aura, this fragrance, of victory over Satan (cf. Rom. 8:37), He also gives us victory over sin and temptation.
We can share that fragrance, that sweet aroma, with those around us when we live according to our knowledge of Christ (ver. 15). This aroma, to those who are perishing and do not want to be saved, leads from death to death. It can harden a sinner’s heart. But to those who are being saved, our aroma of Christ will lead from life to life; we’ll encourage them to continue living their lives for Christ.
Finally, in verse 17, Paul points out that he, Silas, Timothy, even Titus were not “peddling” the word of God, treating it as if it were some kind of “snake oil” salve. Rather, they were preaching it in sincerity and in truth. Take a look too, at 2 Timothy 4:1.
If our lives and teaching reflect the knowledge of Christ, we will bring each other to repentance. At that point, we need to love, forgive, and comfort them.
Paul Holland
