Unpacking Scripture 3: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Lionel Woods 6 comments Studying The Scriptures, Theology

Jan 08

Paul says:

14 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. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 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.

1. What does it mean to lead in a “triumphal procession”?

2. What are the theological implications?

3. Whats important about Jesus “leading” (going to have to understand the first question 8) )

4.  What does it mean by the aroma of Christ and what about the “those who are perishing”?

5. Does this only apply to Paul, Titus and Timothy?

6 comments

  1. Celucien Joseph / January 9, 2010

    “Triumphal procession” might a way to refer to the various opporunities that Paul and other Christians had to successfully proclaim the Gospel to non-Christians. It could simply mean the successful spreading of the good news of the Gospel. Second, it is perhaps used here as a military tactics, that is, “going forward” to war” and to the battefield. Interestingly, Christ is at the head of the army leading us forward to assured victory.

  2. Celucien Joseph / January 9, 2010

    might be a way….

  3. Jon Paden / January 9, 2010

    Lionel,

    I like how it is rendered in Young’s Literal Translation.

    “and to God [are] thanks, who at all times is leading us in triumph in the Christ, and the fragrance of His knowledge He is manifesting through us in every place, because of Christ a sweet fragrance we are to God, in those being saved, and in those being lost; to the one, indeed, a fragrance of death to death, and to the other, a fragrance of life to life… ”

    Now to your questions.

    1) Of course it is Christ that assures us of victory for He has already been declared victorious. So if we stay connected to the vine and thus follow His lead, all of our ways are assured this same victory. For if Christ be for us who can stand against us!

    2) Not exactly sure on what angle you’re looking at on this one. There are many theological implications that can be extracted from this text.

    3) My answer to the first question should suffice.

    4)
    “and the fragrance of His knowledge He is manifesting through us in every place, because of Christ a sweet fragrance we are to God, in those being saved, and in those being lost; to the one, indeed, a fragrance of death to death, and to the other, a fragrance of life to life… ”

    Now here is where the controversy starts. My present understanding would lead me to believe that we are considered a sweet fragance to God because of Christ’s righteousness and knowledge in us. And notice that it says a fragance of His knowledge. This deals with the mind and what is also referred to as having the mind of Christ. To know Him is life! This knowledge of Christ, which is His word, brings life to all. First to those who are “being saved”. For we are promised life and life more abundately (a fragrance of life to life). We have already been destroyed/crucified/died or experienced the 2nd death.

    The knowledge of God is also fragrance to “those who are perishing”. For they are currently dead to God and still alive to sin. They still must lose their life. Therefore they must be destroyed (experience the 2nd death). That’s why it states regarding those who are pereishing that this knowledge is “a fragrance of death to death”. It here mentions the two deaths spoke of throughout scripture. The first being the result of sin and the second being the process by which the new life in Christ may begin.

    Compare with I Timothy 4:10

    “for for this we both labour and are reproached, because we hope on the living God, who is Saviour of all men — especially of those believing.”

    5) No. It applies to all of God’s true servants who are filled with His knowledge and faithful in the handling of His word.

  4. Lionel Woods / January 9, 2010

    Jon,

    You one slick dude, you always find a way 8)

  5. Jon Paden / January 10, 2010

    Lionel,

    I didn’t expect to bring up that subject again so soon. But it seemed to fit in the understanding of those questionable verses that you stated.

  6. Jon Paden / January 14, 2010

    Lionel,

    Have you come to any conclusions regarding question #4?

    If so, what is it?
    You left the questions unanswered.

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