What’s That Smell

Last week we mentioned how Paul had been answering questions and correcting incorrect behavior.

We also talked about after a brief visit, that didn’t go well, Paul is concerned about hurting the people with continued critiques.

Still, he will have to address issues but he wants them to know, anything he does, he does because he loves them.

2 Corinthians 2:5–17 CSB

5 If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree—not to exaggerate—to all of you. 6 This punishment by the majority is sufficient for that person. 7 As a result, you should instead forgive and comfort him. Otherwise, he may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone you forgive, I do too. For what I have forgiven—if I have forgiven anything—it is for your benefit in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes. 12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though the Lord opened a door for me, 13 I had no rest in my spirit because I did not find my brother Titus. Instead, I said good-bye to them and left for Macedonia. 14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place. 15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things? 17 For we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. On the contrary, we speak with sincerity in Christ, as from God and before God.

If one person hurts another in the church then they hurt all the people in the church.

The end goal is still to bring about reconciliation.

When we reconcile, we thwart the devil’s schemes.

This for the next section NOT the previous point

A little historical context here - Paul is drawing upon the triumphal parades that were known throughout the Roman world.

Prisoners of war were marched through the streets as fragrant perfumes filled the air. At the end of each parade, many prisoners were executed. For this reason, the smells of the parade were sweet to the victors, but they were the smell of death to the defeated.

Our lives are the victorious aroma of Christ to the world.

What’s that smell? Do you smell life or death?