2 Corinthians 2:17

For we are not as many, which corrupt the Word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.

Paul here returns to the description of his own spiritual condition at the time when he wrote the first epistle, and when he started upon his journey to Macedonia. He had reached the city of Troas in Mysia, on the Aegean Sea, where he, on his second missionary journey, had had the vision calling him over to Europe, Acts 16:8. But although he had come there for the purposes of the Gospel of Christ, with the intention of preaching the Gospel, and although the door of opportunity was opened to him in the Lord, he would have found sufficient occasion to be active in the sphere which was so dear to him, yet he had no rest in his spirit, he could not shake off the uneasiness which prevented his working. He was laboring under such a strain of anxiety that he could not perform his duties as in other places, the chief reason for this condition being that he did not find Titus in Troas as he had expected. Titus was to bring him the information concerning the situation in Corinth, and he had hoped to meet him in the port. So his increasing restlessness, his worry about the congregation at Corinth, caused him to take his leave of the brethren in Troas, who, in spite of their eagerness to have the beloved apostle in their midst, respected his impatience. Thus he had come to Macedonia, where he was writing this present letter. Note: The fact that Paul, although an inspired apostle of the Lord and teacher of the Christian Church of all times, was yet subject to temptations, to periods of oppression of spirit and despondency, is a comfort to us, urging us to be strong in the midst of similar attacks of weakness.

All the worries of the apostle were dispelled by the information brought by Titus, whom Paul met in Macedonia, as his triumphant words show: But thanks to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ, literally, leads us in a triumphal procession. The emphasis lies upon "always. " No matter what anxiety and distress are besetting the Christians, they always are partakers of the victory of God, even if it be in the role of one of the captives, one of the believers gained for the Lord through the Gospel. And not only does God make use of the apostle in that capacity, but he also makes manifest the odor, the savor, of the knowledge of Christ through the apostle and his companions in every place. The knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Savior, as spread by Paul in the countries from Jerusalem to the Aegean Sea and beyond, is an odor of sacrifice which is well-pleasing to God. See Malachi 1:11. Its effect may be hidden before the eyes of man, but the omniscient God is delighted with such a sacrifice, and all those that are spiritually minded take note of its power. "For concerning the presence, operation, and gifts of the Holy Ghost we should not and cannot always judge ex sensu [from feeling], as to how and when they are experienced in the heart; but because they are often covered and occur in great weakness, we should be certain from, and according to, the promise, that the Word of God preached and heard is [truly] an office and work of the Holy Ghost, by which He is certainly efficacious and works in our hearts. His thanks are given to God because he was a minister of the victorious Word, who incidentally offered sacrifice of a sweet-smelling odor to God: For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God. The knowledge of Christ was an odor which was pleasing to God; but the entire ministry of Paul, in which he was so indefatigable, was also a sweet savor to the Lord, his entire life having the odor of sanctity; the odor of Christ pervaded him and all his doing. All believers, inasmuch as they are filled with the knowledge of Christ and God, share in this wonderful quality: odors of sanctity should at all times be found emanating from their entire life and conduct. But Paul, speaking specifically of himself and his fellow workers, says that they are a sweet savor of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish, that are engaged in the process of being saved and of perishing; to some indeed a savor out of death unto death, but to others a savor out of life unto life. The glorious odor of the name and of the message of Christ goes forth upon all men with equal sweetness, but there is a great difference in the effect. Those that are saved become partakers of this salvation because they receive life out of the merciful odor which arises wherever the Gospel is preached. But those that perish deliberately take poison out of that same glorious odor which is originally intended for life only. Because they persist in their unbelief and will not accept the truth of redemption, therefore the odor which alone can give life has a deadly effect upon their hearts and minds. Those that are lost are offered the same grace which saves all sinners, but the Gospel in their case succeeds only in working disgust, resistance, contradiction against the holy love of God, the result being that the Word of the Cross is to them foolishness and an offense, 1 Corinthians 1:23. Christ is to them a sign to be spoken against, Luke 2:34, a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, 1 Peter 2:8, and thus they bring upon themselves the condemnation of blindness, John 9:39.

No wonder that Paul, who is fully aware of this result of his work, cries out: And for these things, who is sufficient? The answer is partly implied: So one of himself, and certainly at no time such as adulterate God's Word. But in defense of himself and the other teachers he adds: For we are not as the majority, including the false apostles at Corinth, who adulterate the Word of God, who corrupt the divine message as contained in the Gospel. Then as now there were many that resorted to such tricks for the sake of filthy gain, who took the strength out of the Lam and the beauty and consolation out of the Gospel. With suck Paul did not want to be identified. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of Gad, in Christ, we speak. His personal feeling and attitude was one of strict sincerity, his entire ministry being open before the eyes of all men. His commission was of God; he had not desired nor sought the office, but was doing his work as one sent by God. He was ever conscious of the presence of God and of the consequent necessity of walking blameless in His sight. And in Christ he spoke, in fellowship with Him, a lover of truth and an enemy of falsehood; in Christ he had found the precious content of the Gospel, and this treasure he was trying to impart to others by his teaching. Thus he triumphed in Christ and gave all honor to Christ and God, just as should be done by all faithful ministers of Jesus to this day.

Summary

Paul continues his explanation of his change of plans, urges the kind acceptance of the repentant offender, describes the unusual depression which he experienced at Troas, and pictures the knowledge and ministry of Christ as a savor unto life and unto death.