We Are The Aroma Of Christ , Ron Ward
THE AROMA OF CHRIST
Passage: 2Corinthians 2:12~17  
Key verse: 14
Ministers of the New Covenant
12 Now when I went to Troas(A) to preach the gospel of Christ(B) and found that the Lord had opened a door(C) for me, 13 I still had no peace of mind,(D) because I did not find my brother Titus(E) there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.(F)
14 But thanks be to God,(G) who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma(H) of the knowledge(I) of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma(J) of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.(K) 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death;(L) to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?(M) 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.(N) On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity,(O) as those sent from God.(P)
Cross references
- 2 Corinthians 2:12 : S Ac 16:8
- 2 Corinthians 2:12 : S Ro 1:1; 2Co 4:3, 4; 8:18; 9:13; 1Th 3:2
- 2 Corinthians 2:12 : S Ac 14:27
- 2 Corinthians 2:13 : 2Co 7:5
- 2 Corinthians 2:13 : 2Co 7:6, 13; 8:6, 16, 23; 12:18; Gal 2:1, 3; Tit 1:4
- 2 Corinthians 2:13 : S Ac 16:9
- 2 Corinthians 2:14 : Ro 6:17; 7:25; 1Co 15:57; 2Co 9:15
- 2 Corinthians 2:14 : Eze 20:41; Eph 5:2; Php 4:18
- 2 Corinthians 2:14 : S 2Co 8:7
- 2 Corinthians 2:15 : S ver 14; Ge 8:21; Ex 29:18; Nu 15:3
- 2 Corinthians 2:15 : S 1Co 1:18
- 2 Corinthians 2:16 : S Lk 2:34; Jn 3:36
- 2 Corinthians 2:16 : 2Co 3:5, 6
- 2 Corinthians 2:17 : S Ac 20:33; 2Co 4:2; 1Th 2:5
- 2 Corinthians 2:17 : 1Co 5:8
- 2 Corinthians 2:17 : 2Co 1:12; 12:19
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Source:  BibleGateway
1. The importance of one man (12-13)
Paul found an open door to preach the gospel in Troas, but when he didn't find Titus there, he said good-bye and went on to Macedonia. Training faithful men had top priority in Paul's ministry. Each Christian worker must become the aroma of Christ. Paul sacrificed an opportunity to preach to many for the task of training one.
2. The aroma of Christ (14-17)
A Christian is one who is united with Christ in his suffering and united with him in his triumph. He does not live by his reason or by his feelings, but by the gospel. So he is the aroma of life to those who receive the gospel and are being saved; and he is the smell of death to those who reject the gospel. A Christian who compromises with the world loses his distinctive fragrance. God's servant must have a pure heart and pure motives and he must speak before God.
Prayer: Lord, dwell in me so that I may be the aroma of Christ, and live as your servant.
One Word: The fragrance of Christ