2 Corinthians: 2:14

2:14-2:17 _________________________________

Notice the conflict in this passage.

1. Paul's ministry causes offense (aroma from death to death) but is accurate to God (v15,16)
2. Other people have 'ministry' that is set for popular acceptance, but is false and motivated by the desire for personal gain. (v17)

Paul is asserting that, although his Gospel is a cause of conflict and offense (an idea not popular with a culture valuing rhetoric and popular acclaim), he is accurately reflecting God's truth (not like others). The others he speaks of are guilty of not causing offense, but rather of changing truth.
Recall that Corinth valued popular appeal and persuasiveness - For extra credit, read 1 Cor 1:18-31 for some earlier context.

3:1-3:3 ____________________________________

(You are evidence of our motives)

3:4-3:6 ____________________________________

(Paul is adequate for Christ's ministry through the Spirit)

1. Paul seems to be defending his integrity again, specifically regarding his ministry at this point.

A. Do we know from whom he is defending his minstry (at this point in the book)?

Yes / No

(No - more clues coming, esp in chapters 10-13)

B. What aspects of his character and ministry is Paul asserting in this section?

2:17 __________________________________________________

Not "peddling the word of God" (financial gain) - Paul is sincere and not motivated by personal gain.

3:1,2 _________________________________________________

Paul is qualified - he does not need letters of commendataion, they are sufficient proof of his ministry.

C. What aspects of his character and ministry has Paul defended prior to this section in 2 Corinthians?

1:12 __________________________________________________

He is not full of "fleshly wisdom", he is full of "holiness and godly sincerity", his conscience is clean.

1:15-18 __________________________________________________

Paul is not wishy-washy or half-hearted.

2:1-4 __________________________________________________

Paul is motivated by love for the Corinthians.

D. Based on how Paul is defending himself thus far in 2 Corinthians, in what ways is Paul likely being attacked/disparaged?

(hint - Paul is probably being accused of being the opposite of what he feels the need to assert that he is)

- preaching for financial gain
- wishy washy
- sneaky (intentially incorrect, as compared with a clean conscience)
- under-qualified (needing a letter of commendation)

2. This 'Paul' sure is confident...

A. In what ways does Paul assert that he is God's messenger?

2:14 ______________________________________________

God leads him, God manifests through him the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him

2:15 ______________________________________________

Paul is "a fragrance of Christ to God"

2:17 ______________________________________________

Paul speaks "as from God", "in the sight of God"

3:3 ______________________________________________

Paul's converts (the Corinthians) are a "letter of Christ...written...with the Spirit of the living God"

3:6 ______________________________________________

"God made him adequate as [a servant] of a new covenant"

B. "Badges? We don't need no stinking badges." What serves as Paul's badge?

3:1-3 _____________________________________________

The Corinthians

3. Paul, our confident friend, is nonetheless very deliberate and careful in describing himself. He is indeed a servant of Christ, but he is made one by God.

A. What phrases does Paul use to ensure that God is glorified and recognized as the source for his adequacy and confidence?

2:14 ____________________________________________

starts with thankfulness - "thanks be to God", with by recognizing God as the active agent "[God] always leads us in triumph"

2:16 ____________________________________________

"and who is adequate for these things?", the implication being that no human is.

3:5,6 ____________________________________________

"not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God"

A Sort Of Homecoming

1. What expectations for life should we derive from Paul's statement about being "a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perisishing"?

2. Paul speaks of being 'adequate as [a servant] of a new covenant' - does this apply to us, and if so, what kind of expectations should we place upon ourselves?

3. With the context of 2 Corinthians involving so many combative elements, Paul's statement about God manifesting through us 'the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place' strikes me as a fantastic reminder of the joy implicit to the Gospel. So, uh, no question here I guess. Feel joyful and remember the greatness of God's love and compassion.