2 Corinthians 2:14 NASB1995: “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”
The Apostle Paul offers the words of 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 as an encouragement to those who, like him, have dedicated their lives to serving God. Paul considered all those who made such a dedication, or consecration, his brethren. For example, consider how he labels Titus, another Christian during Paul’s time, as his brother in verse 13. In fact, many of Paul’s travels were for the purposes of encouraging those who believed in Christ and sought to serve God and helping them stay true to their vows of consecrated service to God.
Paul faced many hardships because of his faith and the work he did in God’s service. He faced physical abuse such as beatings and imprisonment, as well as verbal abuse which included ridicule and scoffing. Paul knew that many of those who he considered his brethren also faced similar experiences. Throughout his experiences he had during his travels, both positive and negative, he consistently gave thanks to God for being allowed to serve Him. Paul performed the work that God had for Him, and in so doing, was able to faithfully discharge his responsibilities to God. Because of this, Paul considered his experiences to be “triumphs in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Paul understood how important faith was to God, both in his own day and throughout history (see 1 Samuel 15:22, for example). In another of his writings, Paul emphasizes that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) Throughout Hebrews 11 Paul explains that faith was an important characteristic in those who pleased God in earlier generations. Paul also explains that faith only comes from hearing the word of God and in so doing, developing a knowledge of God and His ways (Romans 10:17).
In the second half of 2 Corinthians 2:14, Paul compares the faith of those who serve God (which they gained by developing a knowledge of Him) to a “savor” – or sweet incense; something that would be very pleasing to God. Just like the faith of the Old Testament people referred to in Hebrews 11 went with them every place they went, Paul expresses that when God’s followers carry their faith with them, the “savor” of it goes with them in “every place” they go.
Today, thousands of years after Paul’s time, faith is just as important to God as it ever was. Conflicting messages, half-truths and outright falsehoods abound today, and technology, although miraculous in some situations, allows their proliferation as never before. Anger, fear and unrest are seen throughout the world, and many have turned their backs on God. Even still, there are those who see past the confusion and remain confident in the surety of God’s plan. These faithful ones may have confidence that Paul’s words of encouragement are just as relevant to them today as they were to God’s followers in Paul’s day. Faith in God that comes from a knowledge of Him and His true character and plan through His son, is still pleasing to God in every place that He finds it; sweeter to Him than the savor of the finest incense.
Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1360: “What Is God’s Will, and How Do I Make It My Will?”
Deciphering the scriptural guidance needed to determine God’s will
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