2 Corinthians 2:14-16 Now thanks be to God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the aroma of his knowledge by us in every place.… I. THE TRIUMPHS OF THE GOSPEL BY THE APOSTLES. They were triumphs — 1. Of truth over error. 2. Over persecution. 3. Over principles which dissocialised and oppressed society.I select one — selfishness. (1) See how this fatal principle operated among the heathen. Look at — (a) Their poor. They had no almshouses or asylums. (b) Their slaves, whose number was almost incredible. No laws were enacted for their protection, for they were hardly considered human beings. (c) Their religion — no precepts of forgiveness or charity. (2) Now took at the triumphs of Christianity over selfishness. (a) The first general collection among the Gentile churches was for the relief of poor strangers. And I need not dwell upon the many affectionate precepts of our religion. (b) As to slavery, Christianity teaches, "As ye would that others should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." And so, when Onesimus was converted, the apostle exhorted Philemon to receive him, "not now as a slave, but as a brother beloved." (c) Look at Christian charity. "If thy brother sin against thee seven times," etc.; "In malice be ye children," 4. In the salvation of men. This was its noblest triumph; and in this it triumphed "in every place."(1) Over the ignorance and obduracy of men (1 Corinthians 14:24, 25). (2) Over their gloomy apprehensions of futurity. Christ came to "deliver" those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (3) Over their vices (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). (4) Over death itself. II. THE AGENCY BY WHICH THEY WERE EFFECTED. All is ascribed to a Divine agency, which was marked — 1. In the selection of the instruments. It belongs to God to send forth His labourers, and this supposes selection. There was the bold simplicity of Peter, the soft persuasiveness of John, the fire of Stephen, the pointed, searching, epigrammatic turn of James, the ardour, learning, and strength of Paul. "I clear the ground," says Luther, "and Melancthon scatters the seed." The learning and moderation of Cranmer, the judgment of Ridley, and the popular eloquence, the searching wit, and the downright honesty of Latimer, admirably qualified them to co-operate. The ordinary ministry. There are sons of thunder and sons of consolation, etc, 2. In their personal experience. The gospel triumphed over the early ministers of Christ before they triumphed over the world. So necessary is personal experience that neither preacher nor people can understand the gospel efficiently without it. Who can know what true repentance is but by his own brokenness of heart? Who can know what faith is but by the personal possession and exercise of that principle? In the same manner only can any man understand the nature of a holy walk with God, of spiritual conflicts, and the renewal of the heart. Here, then, was the agency of God. "He hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath committed unto us the ministry of reconciliation." 3. In the effects produced — the salvation of men; and we need only fix upon the salvation of one individual to prove the direct agency of God. III. THE INSTRUMENT BY WHICH ALL THIS IS EFFECTED: the preaching of the gospel; the manifestation of the odour of the knowledge of Christ. Odours, much used in the east, revived the languid and refreshed the weary in those hot climates, and hence they afforded a natural and elegant figure to express whatever was grateful and reviving to the mind. What, then, was there in the knowledge of Christ to warrant this representation of it? 1. Its authority. That which has no authority from God is not religion, properly speaking; but here comes a religion from God, stamped and sealed as such, visibly, and in sight of all. Behold, then, the reason of its reviving and grateful odour to "the saved." Want they truth? It is here assured to them; for what is from God is light, and no darkness at all. Inquire they for the will of their Maker? Here He had prescribed it Himself. Feel they the need of an atonement? Here God Himself had provided the Lamb for a burnt-offering. Need they the comfort of promises? Here they were found proceeding from lips which could not lie. Inquire they after future being? The resurrection and ascension of Christ had deprived death of its sting, and brought life and immortality to light. 2. Its adaptation. There was nothing here but what the case of man required, and there was everything that it did require. (R. Watson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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