What's That Smell?
“What’s That Smell”
2 Cor. 2:14-17
Well… it’s that time of year again. We’ve looked back at the past year – reflecting on recent trials and difficulties, celebrating victories and accomplishments. We’ve celebrated the birth of our Lord and Savior and hopefully realized afresh that Hope Has Come! But now “tomorrow” looms ever closer. Tomorrow is the day we bombard our health clubs determined to get in shape (although one could argue that “round” is a shape). It’s the day that we’ve marked to lay aside the holiday treats and start to eat like a rabbit. It’s the day that we quit smoking, or start having family devotions again, make our spouses more of a priority. We are determined to pay off our debts, get more organized and finish home projects. But I want to pose a different challenge this morning. As you look forward to the coming year, I want you to ask yourself, “How do I smell?” Seriously. This may not make any sense now. But hopefully it will become clear in the next few moments together.
Our text for this morning is 2 Corinthians 2:14-17. But before we turn there, let’s open in prayer.
When I attempt to understand a biblical passage, one of my objectives is to boil it down to a single sentence. This helps to ensure that I have a good handle on the passage. And so the following sentence is what I have come up with and have based my sermon points on it. Here it is:
We have been captivated by God and commissioned by Him to be conduits of His Word.
Read Again.
Follow along as I read 2 Corinthians 2:14-17:
14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? 17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.
The first point is we are Captives to God. Now this is not readily apparent from this translation of our text. But hang in with me for a minute and I hope to show you. You see it’s the first part of verse 14 that could confuse us. It is easy to read, “leads us in triumph” and to come away that we stick out your chest and march through the world victoriously. The church triumphant, right? But I don’t think this is consistent with the rest of the Scriptures. And I don’t think that we can reflect on our own Christian experiences and think that we are continually victorious in the fight. The Christian life is a hard life. However, it is the most rewarding and fulfilling one. But Jesus calls us to carry a cross, put our hands to the plow, count the cost. But let’s take a look at the verse a little closer before we develop this thought more fully.
There are two translation possibilities for this Greek word “thriambeuo” which is here translated “leads us in triumph”. It means (1) to triumph over (as it appears in this translation) or it means (2) to lead in a triumphal procession (as a captive). And it is this latter understanding I believe is favored in this text. We need to look at the historical and cultural background that surrounds this letter from Paul.
Here you would find that it is the author’s intent to convey such rich imagery that does not come out at a surface-level read. The difficulty for us as 21st century Bible students is that we stand 2000 years removed from the language and culture of Paul’s day. It’s hard enough for us to understand the language and culture of the 1980’s let alone the first century! We need to engage our imagination and enter into “Bibleland”.
I borrow this term from a children’s book series that we have here in the library. It is a helpful reminder that our objective in study is to immerse ourselves in the biblical story. There is this girl who enters into Bibleland and is right there sitting with Zaccheus as Jesus approaches, she feels the ground tremble as the walls of Jericho crumble, and she’s right there washing feet with Jesus. It is easy for us to sit down with our Bibles open and forget that these are more than just words on a page. These events actually happened!
So we need to try to understand Paul as if he were writing to us in a first century church – mere decades after Christ was crucified, raised, and ascended to heaven. You see, what we lack is an understanding of Roman triumphal processions of which the Corinthians would be quite familiar. Allow me to read from a short selection from Manners and Customs in the Bible:
A Roman military triumphal procession was one of the grandest spectacles of ancient times. It was granted to a conqueror only when certain conditions had been fully complied with. Among these it was required that the victory be complete and decisive, that it should be over a foreign foe, that at least five thousand of the enemy should be slain in a single battle, that the conquest should extend the territory of the state, and that it put an end to the war. When the senate decided that all required conditions had been met, a day was appointed and every necessary arrangement was made for the splendid pageant. When the day arrived the people crowded the streets and filled every place from which a good view of the procession could be obtained. The temples were all open and decorated with flowers, and incense was burned on every altar. Fragrant odors from burning spices were profusely scattered through the temples and along the streets, filling the air with perfume.
In the procession were the senate and chief citizens of the state, who by their presence honored the conqueror. The richest spoils of war—gold, silver, weapons of every description, standards, rare and costly works of art, and everything that was deemed most valuable by either conqueror or vanquished—were carried in open view in the procession. The general in whose honor the triumph was decreed rode in a chariot that was of peculiar form and drawn by four horses. His robe was embroidered with gold, and his tunic with flowers. In his right hand was a laurel bough, and in his left, a scepter. On his brow there was a wreath of Delphic laurel. Amid the shouts of the soldiers and the applause of the populace, the conqueror was carried through the streets to the temple of Jupiter, where sacrifices were offered, after which there was a public feast in the temple.
If you were to read the entire book of 2 Corinthians you would notice that Paul is defending his ministry in light of accusations from a group of people he refers to as “super apostles”. No, I don’t think they wore capes!! His defense lies primarily on the fact that though he has a list of credentials, his boasting focuses solely on his struggles and weaknesses. Actually, it permeates the entire book! So, it is hard to imagine that Paul would be thanking God for the wonderful experience of being a triumphant soldier. Rather, this word is best understood as Paul thanking God that He (God) has triumphed over him (Paul) and leads him as a captured servant to display to the onlookers (again consistent with his theology).
And it is this way with all of us. If we have placed our trust in Christ for salvation, we have gone from being our own masters to servants of the Master. You remember Paul’s conversion. He was certainly “captivated” by God. He fell to the ground when Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. He was blinded but then scales fell from his eyes. From that point on, Paul constantly referred to himself as the Lord’s servant.
And this is what gospel ministry is about. It is about power in weakness, victory in defeat. Remember the cross?? You can just imagine. Satan thought he had won. But it was through the death of Christ that sin and death were defeated and salvation possible. Jesus was the “Suffering Servant” who took the penalty for sin upon himself. It was through the weakness of the cross that victory was attained! Later in this book, chapter 13 verse 4 reads, “For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.”
Paul writes in just a couple chapters after our text about the power of God displayed in our weakness. In chapter 4 verses 7 through 11 he writes, “But we have this treasure (gospel ministry) in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” In 11:30, “If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.” And in 12:9-10, “And He (Jesus) said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
It is a good thing, isn’t it, that God uses us and all our weaknesses? It probably isn’t the way we would have designed it – sending a precious Son to die on a cross for a traitorous race that will continue to turn its back on you. It does make sense at the same time, however. God receives the glory from using weak (earthen) vessels to proclaim His gospel message. It is amazing to me that anything good can come from my feeble and imperfect attempts to point people to Him.
Let me mention something at this point. Maybe you have not been captivated by God. Maybe you’re still living life serving yourself. You are your own master. I realize that as Christians we still have moments and tendencies to serve self. But maybe you have never surrendered your life and will to THE Master. And let me also mention, that you never experience true freedom until you become a servant of Christ. I know what I just said. It may seem contradictory. But when you think you’re free to gratify and serve yourself you are really a slave to misery. I know because I have been there! And do you know why that is? It is because there is nothing greater or more rewarding than living life to glorify God. It is the very reason we were created.
Now that we have been Captivated by God, we are also Commissioned by Him.
In verse 17, Paul reminds the Corinthians that he was commissioned from God. He says, “For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.” Remember he is defending his ministry throughout the book. Paul maintains that his conscience is clear and that he speaks with sincerity. He mentioned previously in chapter 1 verse 12 that, “For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.”
You see, we need to remember who Paul was. Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, and at the same time a Roman citizen. Before encountering Christ on the Damascus road, he was a prominent figure. And I don’t think that Paul would have forfeited all of this to be beaten, thrown in prison, chased from city to city unless he sincerely believed he was sent from God.
When we encountered Christ on our Damascus road, when the scales fell from our eyes and we beheld His glory, we too were given a mission. God did not call us to be His own so that we could sit on our rear ends and wait for heaven. He called us and commissioned us to be His messengers. In Matthew 28 we are told to “go and make disciples.” In Acts 1, Jesus says that we are to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. In fact, in chapter 5 of this book, Paul lays it out for us as well. Verses 17-20 read, 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us.” He gave us, committed to us, and makes the appeal through us.
We are the conduits – His mouthpieces, His ambassadors. Paul thanks God because He manifests through us a sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ in every place.
Remember the Roman procession imagery? The flowers and incense and burning spices that permeated the procession? We are also the aroma that is spread abroad. The aroma pervades those who are being saved (v. 15) and those who are perishing, to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other from life to life.” The aroma produces eternal consequences. It is a dynamic message that leaves no hearer unaffected. Remember the passage in Isaiah 55? 10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. And Paul speaks of the message of the cross in 1 Corinthians, “18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Our message, God’s message produces results. Romans 1:16 reminds us that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to those who believe.
We are merely the conduits or instruments of God’s message. We are the captured servants, earthen vessels, possessing and carrying a powerful message to the world! That should be encouraging! The results are not up to us. We are commanded to spread the message to a world that can either accept or reject it. John Calvin says that “the gospel is never preached in vain, but it is effectual, leading either to life or to death”.
The aroma that Paul mentions here is the same word that is used in the Old Testament to convey the pleasing aroma of the sacrifices to God. It is significant that it is used in such close proximity to the mention of Christ. The sacrifice of Christ was a pleasing aroma. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” So, Paul’s ministry (and ours) is characterized by a proclamation of a message through a life of sacrifice. As we offer ourselves to God in obedience to His Word, we produce an aroma that is pleasing to Him.
So, let me ask you. Do you smell? Do you live a life that causes people to make decisions? Are you proclaiming a gospel message that penetrates the heart? Or are you living as a chameleon blending in with whatever crowd you are a part of? It’s easy to blend. But it’s not life as a sweet aroma to our God. It is not sacrificial living for His glory.
Despite Paul’s constant and often severe persecution, he recognized that his labor was not in vain. He knew that the power of God was being manifested through his ministry as a result of his suffering. He also anticipated the time when he would stand before God and receive what was due him.
God’s power is also manifested through our weaknesses and suffering. We must emulate Paul’s perseverance and be thankful that we have received mercy from God. Chapter 4 verse 1 says, “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart”. That is our motivation! Our efforts are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs our suffering in this lifetime (4:16-18). We must speak before God with sincerity, like people sent from God. Do you remember Paul’s question from our passage? “Who is sufficient for these things?” Well Paul answers his question in the next chapter. Verse 5 says, “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant,”
We have been captivated by God and commissioned by Him to be conduits of His Word..
I close with the words of Romans 12:1
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.