Calvary Road Baptist Church
“TRIUMPH IN CHRIST”
Second Corinthians 2.12-17
I am excited about today’s message from God’s Word, which deals with a passage in Second Corinthians. One of the marvels of Second Corinthians is the glimpse it gives us into the life and lifestyle of the Apostle Paul, including his heart and heartache. Please make your way to Second Corinthians 2.12-17. Should anyone want to get a glimpse of what it is like to be a pastor or a missionary, careful attention should be given to this particular New Testament letter addressed to the Church in Corinth.
There’s another reason why every Christian should pay careful attention to this second inspired letter to the Corinthians. It’s so that you might gain a realistic understanding of what a truly great man of God is like, as opposed to the posturing pretenders of our day who place themselves on ivory towers. Our text is one of the many passages in Second Corinthians wherein the man of God is shown to be, after all, just a man. May I suggest that quite a large number of Christians, men, and women, live under a cloud of self-condemnation? This is sad in light of Romans 8.1, where Paul writes,
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
May I also suggest that this results from having unreasonable and unbiblical expectations about yourself that are not supported in the Word of God? I have a suggestion for your consideration. Let’s not be unreasonable and subject ourselves to unscriptural condemnations. How about that?
Today’s text can open our eyes to many things that may have been overlooked, but the heart of my message is this: No matter what you've been through, regardless of your experiences, and despite any past or present failings, in Christ, you are a victor. And in a moment, or an hour, or a day, or a week, you’ll be reminded of this truth, filling you with a renewed sense of strength and purpose.
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
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.
As we examine the passage, I want you to notice the two attitudes that Paul displayed, first in the city of Troas and then in the region of Macedonia. I want you to see, first, his concern, and, then, his concession:
First, PAUL’S CONCERN
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
Notice with me three things about the concern Paul expressed in these two verses:
First, notice the place of Paul’s concern. It was in a city called Troas. Troas, if you look at the map section at the back of your Bible, is just about the westernmost city on the Asia Minor peninsula. That made it a jumping-off point in Paul’s day for traveling to Europe from the Middle East. And from what we read in these two verses; Troas was a strategic place in Paul’s plans. It was a place of rendezvous, most probably where Paul had arranged to meet his co-worker Titus coming back from delivering the first of Paul’s inspired letters to the Corinthian Church. It was also, we see here, a place of opportunity. That’s what Paul meant by the phrase, “and a door was opened unto me of the Lord.” Troas was a place where Paul could tell, by the receptivity of the people to his message, as well as the benefit its location would be to help spread the Gospel, was a city in which a Gospel Church could be planted and needed to be planted. And the Lord had prepared this place for him and revealed to him what a great ministry could be had there.
Now, notice the provocation of Paul’s concern. Paul was provoked to concern. Titus had not arrived at Troas on schedule because Titus was not where Paul expected him to be and needed him to be. This had the effect of denying Paul rest “in his spirit.” It didn’t matter that Paul was where he was supposed to be. It didn’t matter that Paul was on fertile ground for soul-winning and Church planting. What mattered to him was that his co-worker was not there, and he was troubled about it. “But pastor, isn’t being troubled of spirit the same as having no peace of heart and mind? Doesn’t this indicate that Paul was not trusting God and that he was not spiritual?” My friends, Paul’s concern was not for himself. Paul was troubled, but not about his situation. And he was not sinfully worrying over this failure to connect with Titus. But he was bothered. Paul’s concern was for the work. And if, as is probable, Titus was on a mission for Paul to the Corinthian Church, his concern shows us that a Church presently existing and having difficulty is more critical and should be higher on our list of priorities than a potential Church, such as was the case in Troas.
Third, notice the power of Paul’s concern. Think about this for a moment. Paul’s concern had so powerfully affected his life that he had no rest in his spirit and he had no ministry in Troas. “But pastor, he’s just upset because Titus wasn’t there.” That’s true. And, really, though various Bible scholars speculate about this and about that, the only thing we can be absolutely sure about, related to Paul’s concern, is that it resulted from Titus not being in Troas. Think about that for a moment. The great Apostle Paul became upset because his colleague didn’t show up for an appointment. It was an extremely important appointment, to be sure, but it was an appointment. Do you realize what this suggests to me? It suggests that the great Apostle Paul was thrown for a loop! It suggests that at various times and on certain occasions things stifled him, and baffled him, and troubled him, and frustrated him, and grieved him, without his responses necessarily being sinful. Do you imagine you commit sin every time something knocks you down for a moment? Do you think there is something wrong with you because things that are surprises and disappointments trouble you? Then join the club. It’s about time for some realism in your view of what ought to be expected from a child of God. A supernatural lifestyle? Yes. How about walking and living in the power of the Spirit of God? To be sure. But will you or I ever reach a point where we are so super-spiritual that we are unflappable and unmoved by events around us? Absolutely not! Paul’s concern was a normal concern, even for a mature and godly Christian. And Paul realized that. Do you realize that? Should you realize that?
THAT’S THE REASON FOR, Next, HIS CONCESSION
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
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.
Two things to take note of:
Note, first, the object of his thanks:
“Now thanks be unto God”
Why in the world was Paul thanking God? Verses 12 and 13 tell us about Paul’s experiences, feelings, disappointments, and concerns while he was in Troas. But verses 14-17 record Paul’s concession, his rejoicing and thanksgiving, if you will, once he arrived in Macedonia. As a side realization, Paul’s concern in Troas did not paralyze him from traveling to Macedonia. He continued to move forward in his life, which is so important and was a reflection of his spirituality and maturity. Sometimes, surprises, disappointments, irregularities, and delays are allowed to be so disruptive to people that they are paralyzed into inaction, sidetracked by anger, and perturbed by discouragement that they just stall. Thankfully, Paul did not stall but continued to move forward with his life and ministry. Emotions are God-given but were never intended to control us. Emotions are the caboose and should never be allowed to be the engine of the train of anyone’s life.
Now, note the observation of Paul’s thanks. The apostle conceded four things:
First, he conceded success in the ministry:
“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ”
Look at that phrase “causeth us to triumph.” Thriambeύoo is a very unusual word in the New Testament, packed with significance. In Roman times, a successful general typically returned to Rome from a great victory and battle and would be honored by leading a triumphal parade. Following behind the general’s procession in the parade were two things: First, the booty and the prizes that he had captured from the enemy. Second, the slaves that he had taken when he took enemy soldiers prisoner. Paul was inspired to use that imagery to point out that he and Timothy, the sidekick with him both in Troas and Macedonia, follow along in the processional, swept along by their victorious Savior and King in His grand march of triumph. Jesus Christ caused Paul and Timothy to triumph regardless of what they did![1] Is this not amazing? And is this not marvelous? Do not think there will not be times when you and I will become discouraged and disappointed. We are, after all, human beings. It is guaranteed that we will become concerned about things related to our service to Christ and our ministries without our concerns being sinful. The great thing, however, is that even when we are concerned, as Paul was concerned, we triumph. How can we triumph when we are stunned or amazed and temporarily paralyzed by circumstances? Simple. Christ, our king and the conqueror of our souls drags us to triumph behind Him. Glorious! No wonder Paul could not remain dejected. And when we believe what Paul wrote here, we won’t stay down for long either.
Second, Paul conceded savor in the ministry. He used the concept of something smelling sweet in two ways. In verse 14, he writes “and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” This continues the imagery of Christ being the conquering general with us in His parade behind Him. Such a parade, with a conquering general, featured the common practice of throwing garlands and sweet-smelling flowers all around as the parade advanced through the streets. Paul drew a parallel between the throwing of flowers in front of a Roman general to make the smelly streets of Rome smell more fragrant, and the preaching of the Gospel to a world that wreaks with the stench of sin. Not everyone will be saved and cleansed from their sin in the sight of God, but the net effect of the bold preaching of Bible truth and witnessing to the lost will improve the sewer-like smell of sin. Now read verse 15-16a:
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.
Paul departs from the imagery of Christ being compared to a conquering Roman general. He takes us to the Old Testament illustration in which a properly prepared and acceptable sacrifice is being offered up to God. Such sacrifices are indicated in the Old Testament as sweet-smelling savors to God.[2] Thus, the imagery of Paul indicates that he and his colleagues smell good to God. After all, they have presented their bodies as living sacrifices to God, holy and acceptable to Him, have they not? Romans 12.1? Isn’t this great? Though disappointed and downcast for a while, Paul soon conceded some things that gave him great joy. He conceded that he experiences victory in Christ no matter what! And he conceded that, as he did God’s will, he made the world a sweeter-smelling place and that he smelled sweet to his God. Since God is no respecter of persons, the same can be true of you and of any other Christian engaged in service and ministry to the Savior.[3]
Third, Paul conceded sufficiency for the ministry. Notice the question Paul asked at the end of verse 16:
“Who is sufficient for these things?”
Who is capable of getting this job done of serving God? Who is capable of ministering to these people? Who is capable of serving God effectively? Was Paul? No! Are you? No! Am I? No! It may very well be that Paul’s concern and despondency in Troas was the result of thinking to himself, “How in the world am I going to do what God has called me to do if the men God has given to help me don’t show up on time to help me?” Every pastor asks that question from time to time when fewer people show up for visitation than are needed. Every pastor asks that question when someone entrusted with a valued ministry fails to perform. Every pastor asks that question when someone important to the ministry is led away from the Church by his obnoxious wife. Missionaries ask that question when a new convert fails to attend the services at the baby Church he’s trying to launch. Anyone who leads any aspect of ministry in his or her Church asks that question all too frequently when needed helpers fail to show as promised, fail to volunteer or quit altogether. The only answer to the rhetorical question, “Who is capable of doing this stuff?” is God. Only God is sufficient for the task. Conceding that success is guaranteed in Christ and that he smells sweet to God (meaning that God is pleased with him and that God is sufficient for these things), is it any surprise Paul resorted to thanking God and rejoicing? How about you? Don’t you have the same reasons for thanking God and rejoicing that Paul had? Sure, you do, Christian. Of course we do!
Finally, Paul conceded sincerity in his message:
“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.”
Do you see the word “corrupt?” It translates kaphleύoo, which is a merchant who waters down his wine to cheat his buyers.[4] It refers to acting like a huckster, behaving like a wheeler-dealer, to selling something for what he can get out of it but always reducing the price for you if you insist on it. That means every asking price is way overpriced. Paul looked around and saw that most preachers were not like he was. He preached God’s straight and unadulterated Word and wouldn’t alter it for anyone. Most who appeared to be doing what he was doing did not possess such integrity. Why didn’t Paul modify his message for the kind old grandmother who didn’t want to be told she was going to Hell without Christ? Why didn’t he lighten up when the rich man was in the audience and didn’t want to hear him preach so much about giving? Because he knew that whatever he said was said in the sight of God whenever he preached. He knew that just as surely as what he said originated from sincerity, it also originated from God.
In conclusion? No matter what happens to you, Christian, in Christ, you are a winner! The victory is already won!
Are things going to happen that will disappoint and discourage you? Yes. For a time, will such occurrences interfere with your service to Christ and cause you to pass up valuable opportunities to see folks saved? Very likely, yes.
Should these things happen? No, but they will happen. These kinds of things happened in the life of the Apostle Paul, and they are going to happen to you and me. So, what should you do in such cases?
Indeed, don’t throw a gigantic pity party and lament that you behaved like a member of the human race, that you acted like someone who is not all-knowing. Just face the fact that these things happen and get on with your life.
Concede what Paul conceded: although the Troas experience took place, relish, and glory in the Macedonian experience when it happens. If you will dwell on anything, dwell on the Macedonian life experiences.
Concede that you succeed in your life and ministry if you are in Christ. Concede that, because of Christ, the world smells sweeter due to your evangelistic efforts and that you smell very nice to God ... He is pleased that you have given yourself to Him to serve.
Concede that you are insufficient for the task and that God is sufficient. “When the Lord God revealed Himself to Abraham in Genesis 17:1, He used the Hebrew name El Shaddai, which the King James Version translates as ‘Almighty God.’”[5]
Concede that you give the Gospel message out as straight as you can and that you don’t modify the message for anyone at any time.
If you concede what Paul conceded, then your Troas experiences will only be two verses long, and your Macedonian experiences will be four verses long, just like Paul’s.
Is appreciation of your victory in Christ hard to see right now, hard to appreciate at the moment? The remedy is to embrace the reality that Paul embraced and suck it up! “Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ,” Second Timothy 2.3.
In our text, we see that even the greatest of God’s servants was not a robot. Things affected him and discouraged him at times. By God’s grace, however, he recovered, realized where he was and who he was, and went on to serve God. Pray you and I do the same.
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[1] I fully subscribe to David H. J. Gay’s view of the term as explained in Triumph or Tragedy? A Tract for the Time (Brachus 2024), pages 96-101.
[2] Genesis 8.21; Exodus 29.18, 25, 41; Leviticus 1.9, 13, 17; 2.2, 9, 12; 3.5, 16; 4.31
[3] Acts 10.34
[4] Rogers, Jr., Cleon L. and Rogers III, Cleon L., The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key To The Greek New Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: ZondervanPublishingHouse, 1998), page 396.
[5] https://events.rhema.org/the-god-who-is-more-than-enough/ and John Joseph Owens, Analytical Key to the Old Testament, Volume 1, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1990), page 60.
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