II Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
Notice here that Paul reminded the saints that he preached Christ’s gospel. The true apostles did not invent their own message. In a similar manner, a true Evangelist or Pastor, does not invent his own message. Evangelists and pastors are not inspired of God. However, if our message is going to be effective in God’s sight, it needs to be built upon the truth.
It is important to note the context and be careful to understand the Scriptures according to God’s Word and will. Of course the true believer has the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide him in his study and sermon preparation.
In verse 12 Paul stated that at Troas a door was opened unto him of the Lord. That is critical. True spiritual leaders do not bulldoze their way into an area. We need God to open a door for us. If He does not open it, our efforts will be worthless.
In verse 13 Paul stated that even though God opened this door of preaching for him, his spirit was not at rest. Titus was not there. Titus was a fellow believer. He was not an apostle, but he was a pastor. Paul addressed him here as “my brother”. There was no conflict between them. There needs to be unity among true spiritual leaders. The only way to have that unity is when we submit to God’s Word as our only and final authority.
We see how the Spirit of God worked here. Paul was led to Troas, but he did not stay there long. He was not fighting against God’s will. He was attuned to God’s will and the indwelling Holy Spirit did not give him peace in his heart there. God used a connection with another saint to move Paul from Troas to Macedonia.
Paul left the saints at Troas and went to Macedonia. He was led of God in his travels. You notice in verse 14 that the triumph is in Christ, not in himself. He was a capable preacher, but it was Christ who caused him to triumph. Due to the fact that he was preaching Christ’s Gospel, Jesus Christ could bless his ministry. He left a sweet smell for the saints in every place. The ungodly were not so. Paul faced much opposition from the ungodly Jews. They would follow him around to stir up trouble. They managed to drag him out of the city on several occasions and stone him. They had him arrested and imprisoned. However, he did not grow bitter, but was a vessel that Christ could use to make His name known.
In verse 15 he expanded on verse 14. God was pleased with his labours because they were in Christ. Paul’s message was impactful for the saved as well as for the lost. The saved were strengthened and encouraged. The lost were condemned and hardened. That is what happens when a lost person continues to fight against the truth.
We see that same problem today. There are far more people fighting against the truth, than there are saved people embracing the truth.
In verse 16 Paul acknowledged that his message could have one of two effects. It would affect the rebels with the savour of death unto death. In Bible times when the Roman soldiers won a battle they took captives. They would march them among the garland and the flowers. The smell would be the same, but for the captors who were going to be killed, it was not a comforting smell. It was the smell they would have as they were being executed.
Those who were spared, smelled the same scent. However, for them this was a sweet aroma that they could remember in a pleasant manner. Paul realized that the effects of his preaching was not because he was such a great orator. He understood it was the power of God that would work in the hearts of the hearers. Some of them would miss out on blessings, and others would choose to benefit from the message. The message was the same. It was the response to the message that made the difference.
You notice in verse 17 that corruption of the Word of God was already common in Paul’s day. It is certainly common today. The corrupters did not want to acknowledge their wickedness. The same is true today. The corrupters dig their heels in and they are defiant in their false teaching.
Paul told the Corinthian saints that he and his companions were using sincerity. They were not sincerely wrong, rather they were genuine. Their message was of God. It was as if God were there speaking to them. That is because Paul was speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. He was not an imposter. He had been that prior to his conversion. However, God changed them in him.
Paul knew that everything he said was being examined by God in Christ. He was careful to speak the truth. He was careful to help the saints be able to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is important.
It is sad that so many would rather be lied to than receive the truth. God is gracious, but the day of reckoning is coming. Those who fight against the truth will find themselves in a place of torment. They will not be happy about that, but it is a choice they are making now.
The wise person submits to God’s Word and appreciates the few good men who are willing to preach the Gospel of Christ.
Pastor Bartel