2 Coríntios 2

2 Coríntios 2

Morgan - Anywhere His contagious Christian influence as missionary, pastor, and college president touched thousands of lives, and his writings on the Victorious Christian Life moved millions more. V. Raymond Edman left a mark behind him—circled, underlined, and highlighted. Early in his career, Edman nearly died of tropical disease while a missionary in Ecuador. Seeking to regain his strength, he took a Pacific voyage in 1928 aboard a Dutch freighter, the Boskoop. He missed his work terribly, and even though his weakness made it hard to leave his stateroom, he labored intently over the lectures he hoped to give at his Ecuadorian Bible institute. As he outlined the book of 2 Corinthians, he reached chapter 2, and read the words, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ. …” He was staggered. He read the words several times, slowly, prayerfully, phrase-by-phrase. He suddenly sensed a great contrast between that verse and his condition. Here he was, broken health, unsure future, anxious about his missionary service, not far from death’s door. Yet to Paul, life was ongoing, unbroken triumph! Edman walked to the deck and began praying for a triumphant spirit. Quickly and quietly, the Lord seemed to whisper in his ear, “But are you willing to go anywhere for me?” Slowly, with trembling heart, Edman replied, “Yes, Lord, anywhere in Ecuador Thou mayst send me.” “I did not say in Ecuador.” For a long time, Edman gazed across the Pacific, conscious that the Lord was standing beside him, awaiting an answer. Finally in deepest sincerity, Edman replied, “Yes, Lord, anywhere Thou sayest I will go, only that my life may be always a constant pageant of triumph in Thee.” He stood there for a very long time, thinking of the testimony of George Mueller, who once told of the moment when he died to self, to ambition, to the praise or blame of men, only that he might live in Christ. Now he, too, had abandoned all—even his ministry goals—for the sake of Christ. From that day, God began to use V. Raymond Edman in an unprecedented way. (From This Verse) Streams in the Desert - GOD gets His greatest victories out of apparent defeats. Very often the enemy seems to triumph for a little, and God lets it be so; but then He comes in and upsets all the work of the enemy, overthrows the apparent victory, and as the Bible says, “turns the way of the wicked upside down.” Thus He gives a great deal larger victory than we would have known if He had not allowed the enemy, seemingly, to triumph in the first place. The story of the three Hebrew children being cast into the fiery furnace is a familiar one. Here was an apparent victory for the enemy. It looked as if the servants of the living God were going to have a terrible defeat. We have all been in places where it seemed as though we were defeated, and the enemy rejoiced. We can imagine what a complete defeat this looked to be. They fell down into the flames, and their enemies watched them to see them burn up in that awful fire, but were greatly astonished to see them walking around in the fire enjoying themselves. Nebuchadnezzar told them to “come forth out of the midst of the fire.” Not even a hair was singed, nor was the smell of fire on their garments, “because there is no other god that can deliver after this sort.” This apparent defeat resulted in a marvelous victory. Suppose that these three men had lost their faith and courage, and had complained, saying, “Why did not God keep us out of the furnace!” They would have been burned, and God would not have been glorified. If there is a great trial in your life today, do not own it as a defeat, but continue, by faith, to claim the victory through Him who is able to make you more than conqueror, and a glorious victory will soon be apparent. Let us learn that in all the hard places God brings us into, He is making opportunities for us to exercise such faith in Him as will bring about blessed results and greatly glorify His name. —Life of Praise. “Defeat may serve as well as victory To shake the soul and let the glory out. When the great oak is straining in the wind, The boughs drink in new beauty, and the trunk Sends down a deeper root on the windward side. Only the soul that knows the mighty grief Can know the mighty rapture. Sorrows come To stretch out spaces in the heart for joy.” Leading Us In Triumph - There are many possibilities that arise out of unjust suffering for Christ’s sake. God may use your suffering to lead someone to Christ. He may use it to help you triumph over demonic persecution, or it may enable another who sees your godly response to persecution to respond in the same way. Whatever the triumph of your suffering, you may be sure of one thing: if you suffer for Christ’s sake, God will lift you up and exalt you into His very presence. Christ will always cause us to triumph even though we suffer unjustly. Don’t underestimate the potential of unjust suffering for Christ’s sake. So endure whatever suffering comes your way in the light of your coming triumph in Christ! (Truth for Today - John MacArthur) 2 COR. 2:14 (R.V.). Thanks be unto God which always leadeth us in triumph. Those whom Jesus leads in triumph share His triumph. They may be a spectacle to angels and to men. Sometimes in the stocks; often accounted the offscouring of all things; yet, in the spiritual realm, they are made to triumph always. Conquered, they conquer; enslaved, they are free; last in this world, but in the front rank of heavenly society. Poor, beaten, vanquished soul, lift up thy head and rejoice; for if thou art conquered by Jesus, thou shalt be always made to triumph! F. B. MEYER. 2 COR. 2:14. God … maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. A holy life is a silent witness for Jesus—an incense cloud from the heart-altar, breathing odors and sweet spices, of which the world cannot fail to take knowledge.… It must and will manifest its living and influential power. The heart, broken at the cross, like Mary’s broken box, begins from that hour to give forth the hallowed perfume of faith, and love, and obedience, and every kindred grace. MACDUFF. 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; KJV 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: NET 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing– BGT 2 Corinthians 2:15 ὅτι Χριστοῦ εὐωδία ἐσμὲν τῷ θεῷ ἐν τοῖς σῳζομένοις καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις, NLT 2 Corinthians 2:15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. ESV 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, NIV 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. GNT 2 Corinthians 2:15 ὅτι Χριστοῦ εὐωδία ἐσμὲν τῷ θεῷ ἐν τοῖς σῳζομένοις καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἀπολλυμένοις, YLT 2 Corinthians 2:15 because of Christ a sweet fragrance we are to God, in those being saved, and in those being lost; ASV 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; CSB 2 Corinthians 2:15 For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. MIT 2 Corinthians 2:15 because we exude to God an aroma of Christ, sensed among both the saved and the perishing. NKJ 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. NRS 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; NAB 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are the aroma of Christ for God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, NJB 2 Corinthians 2:15 To God we are the fragrance of Christ, both among those who are being saved and among those who are on the way to destruction; GWN 2 Corinthians 2:15 To God we are the aroma of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are dying. BBE 2 Corinthians 2:15 For we are a sweet perfume of Christ to God in those who are getting salvation and in those who are going to destruction; fragrance: Ge 8:21 Ex 29:18,25 Eze 20:41 Eph 5:2 Php 4:18 to those: 2Co 4:3,4 Isa 49:5,6 1Co 1:18 2Th 2:10 2 Corinthians 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4+ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world (SATAN) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God. Ephesians 5:2+ and walk (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma (euodia) . Philippians 4:18+ But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma (euodia) , an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. PARADOXICAL RESULTS FROM DIFFERENT RESPONSES TO THE GOSPEL For we are a fragrance (euodia) of Christ to God among those who are being saved (present tense - continually) and among those who are (present tense - continually) perishing - We are a fragrance (as alluded to above) refers not to the message proclaimed (the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him, the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 2Cor 2:14), but to the messengers that proclaimed the Gospel message. In other words, the manifestation of the knowledge of God in v14 is in Christ, but it is through us. Given the use of euodia in the sacrifices in the OT (where it is often translated "soothing aroma") it is fair to say that Paul, et al (including US) serve God as living sacrifices (cf Ro 12:1+)! In spreading the fragrance of Christ the preacher himself becomes fragrant -- Plummer Being saved is a description of progressive sanctification (see Three Tenses of Salvation). Being saved is passive voice, clearly a divine passive for only God can save a person dead in their trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1+). As Paul says in the next chapter "the Spirit gives life," (2Co 3:6+, cf Jesus' words Jn 6:63) and He uses the Word of Life (Php 2:16+) to (continually) save us, daily making us more like Christ (2Co 3:18+). THOUGHT - It follows that if we are not daily (Mt 4:4+) taking in the Bread of Life (Jn 6:35, 48), we are setting ourselves up to become spiritually "malnourished." As Peter says we are to be like "newborn babes who long for the pure milk of the Word, that by it (we) may grow in respect to salvation." (1Pe 2:2+) DO NOT MISS WHAT PETER IS SAYING! IT IS CRUCIAL! Peter is saying if we have NO intake, we will experience NO spiritual growth. It is really that simple. It begs the question "Are you growing in Christlikeness or are you simply going through the motions expected of one who calls themself a Christian?" What a striking contrast Paul presents here of some souls (those who are being saved) that are daily living more and more a full, free life in Christ and other eternal souls (those who are perishing) who are daily dying, daily ruining their lives even in the midst of the deception of incredible worldly wealth and success, for as Jesus said "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Lk 18:25+). Paul described a similar striking contrast (eternal life versus eternal death) in his first letter explaining that "the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are (present tense - continually) perishing, but to us who are (present tense - continually) being saved (progressive sanctification) it is the power of God." The preaching of the gospel divides humanity eternally. -- Bob Utley Homer Kent notes that "At the Roman Triumph the aroma of the incense was a token of victory and honor for the conquering legions, but was a sign of sure execution to the captives in the parade." (Ref) Broomall - In the NT, salvation is described as (1) past (aorist tense: 2Ti 1:9; Titus 3:5); (2) present (present tense: here and in `Cor 1:18; 15:2); (3) future (future tense; Ro 5:9, 10; 1Cor 3:5; 2Ti4:18) (2 Corinthians 2)