2 Corinthians 2v12-17
When I came to Troas to preach the Gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. (ESV)
We see the following in the text regarding Paul’s Mission:
- Its Purpose (v12a)
We are all called to minister as Christians in a world that is a slave to sin – a world that is dying! We are to keep our eyes open on the providences of God. Paul knew the purpose of his mission which was to preach the Gospel of Christ – that is all a pastor and preacher is called to. What the congregation does with that message is their decision. Paul was determined to preach the Gospel of Christ without tampering with it, saying in 1 Cor. 9v15-16: “But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. For if I preach the Gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!”. - Its Providences (v12b)
His purpose was to preach but his providences were with God. Paul was always looking for open doors that the Lord provides to minister the Gospel, as he said in Col. 4v3: “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the Word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—”. - Its Pain (v13)
Even through a door was opened, Paul still experienced pain because his brother Titus was not there. It discouraged Paul and he left. - Its Procession (v14)
It is the procession of heaven itself (“thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphant procession”) spreading the aroma of Christ to God – an aroma that God Himself smells as a sweet offering as He did in the Old Testament. - Its Perfume (v15a)
“For we are the aroma of Christ to God…”. - Its Parameters (v15b)
“… among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing”. - Its Produce (v16)
“…to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?”– only Christ! - Not Peddling (v17a)
“For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, …” - Its Perspective (v17b)
“… but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” That is the work of the minister of the Gospel.
A true Minister of the Gospel is to:
a) Look after the flock God has entrusted to his care.
b) Be a sincere preacher of the Word, speaking the truth to God’s people, not seeking approval from men but from God (see 2 Cor. 4v2-5).