What Do You Smell Like?
July 20
Paul continues his thoughts on comfort as he moves into the second chapter of 2 Corinthians. He says that he doesn’t want his next visit to be a painful one, but rather one that brings comfort and reconciliation. Paul is probably referring to his harsh words in 1 Corinthians about dealing with Church Discipline for the man who was living in a sexually immoral relationship with his stepmother. (2 Corinthians 2:1–4)
It appears that the church has forgiven and restored this man, which is always the goal of Church Discipline. He urges the church to follow his example: forgive the sinner who has been reconciled to God and His people in the church. In fact, Paul says that to withhold forgiveness, love, and reconciliation may open the door to being taken advantage of by the devil. (2 Corinthians 2:10–11) This is a warning to us, as well, for we know that the devil’s schemes don’t vary much. He continues to attack us in the same ways that he did in the early church.
Paul encourages the Church at Corinth to spread the pleasant aroma of the knowledge of Jesus. (2 Corinthians 2:14–16) He uses two different Greek Words in these verses. The word he uses in verse 14 is simply an odor, which could be either pleasing or displeasing, based on the context. The other word he uses in verse 15 means, “a sweet odor, spoken of the smell of sacrifices and obligations, agreeably [sic] to the ancient notion that God smells and is pleased with the odor of sacrifices.”[1] He returns to the first word, which he used in verse 14 to describe the positive or negative aroma that some may “smell” when they are around us.
Application
So, what do you “smell like” to people around you? Life or death? That answer may lie in the kinds of people who are around you.
Paul concludes the chapter acknowledging that we do not market the word of God for profit like so many. (2 Corinthians 2:17) For someone to profit off God’s Word demonstrates that they don’t understand the purpose of God’s Word. Paul tells Timothy that all Scripture is God-breathed for the purpose of transforming us to make us more like Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Who could put a price on that? And who would?
[1] Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995.