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A Triumphal Procession (2 Corinthians 2:12-17)

Scott Kercheville
07/27/14 - Sun AM

What does a sincere servant and teacher of the gospel look like? Paul had been openly criticized on his second visit to Corinth by boasters with seemingly successful ministries because of his ministry that was filled with great suffering. In the face of boasters who looked strong and loved personal glory, Paul was made to look insufficient and insincere. Paul left and wrote a rebuke to the Corinthians and called them to repent and separate from those who had harmed him. Now that the Corinthians have repented, Paul writes 2nd Corinthians to further establish his relationship with this congregation and to defend his sincere service to the gospel. Paul has explained his afflictions and his written rebuke, but as Paul continues from 2:12-7:4, Paul wants the Corinthians to understand that he is a true, sincere servant of the gospel so they could not only defend him, but become sincere teachers of the gospel themselves.

But what does a sincere servant of the gospel look like and what is their purpose? This is a legitimate question we ask in our minds of Christians today. Who is real and who is fake? This is also important for us as we judge ourselves. Are we sincere teachers of the gospel? Paul answers in three steps from verses 12-17. Because sincere servants of the gospel are led by Christ in a triumphal procession they are a sweet smelling aroma to God and are not peddlers of God’s word.