Can You Smell What God Is Doing

2 Corinthians 2:1-17

Let’s start off by jumping ahead a few chapters........2 Corinthians 7:6-9.....also vs. 12....there was a mutiny during a “pop-in” brief visit.........I believe that this assumed or deduced by Paul’s words here and elsewhere, that someone that was influenced by the false “super apostles” confronted Paul about some of these allegations that were made up those false apostles. Paul told them in that severe letter to handle the one that confronted him with church discipline.......(Matt. 18:15-20)

Verses 1-4......Paul now explains why he judged it best not to make another painful visit, which implies that he experienced an unpleasant confrontation the last time he was there (2:5–11; 7:9, 12; 10:10). We infer from this statement that Paul paid them an unannounced visit after writing 1 Corinthians.143 Because it was so disagreeable (see 2:5–11; 7:9, 12; 10:10), he abandoned plans for a double visit, and Paul explains that he did not want another scene.

.....2:2 Paul faced a dilemma. To come to Corinth might intensify the problems and the pain; to stay away would allow the problems to fester and make reconciliation even more difficult. Again, Paul’s affection for the church comes out. They are a source of joy to him, and when their relationship is out of sorts, his pain is multiplied.

......2:3 Paul’s main reason fro writing such a severe letter was for those in sin to repent.....then there could be mutual joy.

...........2:4 Paul was trying to make plain that the motive was love!

Verses 5-11.......Forgiveness.........Some say that this is the best texts on forgiveness.......One writer wrote this: “Paul now turns to the specific incident that provoked his grief and sudden departure without rehashing what happened. The Corinthians obviously do not need Paul to tell them what happened, and dredging up the unhappy details might awaken the old feelings of anger again. The wounds are still healing, and rehearsing the events that caused them serves no purpose. Unfortunately, the lack of particulars leaves us later readers, far removed from the situation, in the dark.”

ii. "In a Triumph the procession of the victorious general marched through the streets of Rome to the Capitol… First came the state officials and the senate. Then came the trumpeters. Then were carried the spoils taken from the conquered land… Then came the pictures of the conquered land and models of conquered citadels and ships. There followed the white bull for sacrifice which would be made. Then there walked the captive princes, leaders and generals in chains, shortly to be flung into prison and in all probability almost immediately to be executed. Then came the lictors bearing their rods, followed by the musicians with their lyres; then the priests swinging their censers with the sweet-smelling incense burning in them. After that came the general himself… finally came the army wearing all their decorations and shouting Io triumphe! Their cry of triumph. As the procession moved through the streets, all decorated and garlanded, amid the cheering crowds, it made a tremendous day which might happen only once in a lifetime." (Barclay)

Leads us: Paul wanted the Corinthian Christians to realize that he followed his general, Jesus Christ. Paul can almost see Jesus' triumphal parade winding its way through the whole Roman Empire, throughout the entire world.

Forgiveness through Christ is the fragrance of Christ!