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Triumph in Christ
Paul describes both open opportunity and personal unrest, then turns to thankfulness. In these verses he explains gospel ministry with the picture of a spreading aroma, showing that the message of Christ brings very different responses.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of 2 Corinthians is written as letter and teaching. Paul says he came to Troas for the good news of Christ and that a door was opened to him in the Lord, yet he left for Macedonia because he did not find Titus there.
2 Corinthians 2:12–17Main takeaway
This passage teaches that God makes Christ known through his people, and that speaking God’s word must be done sincerely before God in Christ.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01An open door and an uneasy spiritPaul begins with two facts held together. He came to Troas for the good news of Christ, and a door was opened to him in the Lord.
Explanation
Paul begins with two facts held together. He came to Troas for the good news of Christ, and a door was opened to him in the Lord. Yet he says he had no relief in his spirit because he did not find Titus, so he left for Macedonia. The passage reports this plainly without adding further story.
02God leads in triumph in ChristPaul’s next words are thanks to God. He says God always leads “us” in triumph in Christ and reveals through “us” the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.
Explanation
Paul’s next words are thanks to God. He says God always leads “us” in triumph in Christ and reveals through “us” the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. The picture is of God making the knowledge of Christ noticeable and widespread through those who belong to Christ.
03One aroma, two responsesPaul explains the aroma image further. He says, “we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God” among both those being saved and those who perish.
Explanation
Paul explains the aroma image further. He says, “we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God” among both those being saved and those who perish. The same Christ-centred witness is present in both cases, but its effect is described differently because people do not all respond in the same way.
04From death to death, from life to lifePaul says this aroma is to one person “a stench from death to death” and to another “a sweet aroma from life to life”.
Explanation
Paul says this aroma is to one person “a stench from death to death” and to another “a sweet aroma from life to life”. He then asks, “Who is sufficient for these things?” That question shows the seriousness of gospel ministry and keeps attention on God rather than human adequacy.
05Speaking with sincerity before GodPaul finishes by contrasting sincere ministry with corrupt handling of God’s word. He says, “we are not as so many, peddling the word of God”.
Explanation
Paul finishes by contrasting sincere ministry with corrupt handling of God’s word. He says, “we are not as so many, peddling the word of God”. Instead, he and his companions speak “as of sincerity”, “as of God”, “in the sight of God”, and “in Christ”. Their message and manner both matter.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two very different things does Paul mention together in Troas?
Notice that an open door for the good news and Paul’s lack of relief about Titus are both stated, showing that real ministry can include opportunity and distress at the same time.
02How does Paul describe the spread of the knowledge of Christ?
Look for the image in verse 14. Paul uses the language of a sweet aroma to describe God revealing the knowledge of Christ through his people in every place.
03What marks sincere speaking according to the last verse?
Verse 17 gives several phrases together: not peddling God’s word, but speaking with sincerity, as from God, in God’s sight, and in Christ.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Corinthians 2:12–17
12Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord,
13I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn’t find Titus my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.
14Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.
15For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God in those who are being saved and in those who perish:
16to the one a stench from death to death, to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
17For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ.