In his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul sternly rebuked them for tolerating immorality in their midst. Apparently it got results because in the letter we read today he told them it was time to forgive the offender and extend mercy so he would not be overwhelmed with sorrow

“I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.” 2 Corinthians 2:8

Paul was satisfied that the Corinthian church had dealt properly with the sinner, now he wanted the repentant man restored to their fellowship.

“Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:9-11

The devil is so wily that he can turn even an episode of repentance into a way to divide the church. The believers in Corinth could interrupt Satan’s scheme to divide them by forgiving and restoring their repentant brother to their fellowship.

Paul’s Friend Titus

Titus was a Gentile believer from Paul’s home church in Antioch Syria. He ministered alongside Paul and assisted him by delivering the first letter Paul sent to Corinth. He may have also carried a second letter to the Corinthians that has been lost since then, but we know he delivered the final letter, the one we know as 2 Corinthians.

Titus helped collect the offering for the church in Jerusalem, too, and later Paul asked him to help the churches on the Island of Crete, a notoriously difficult place to minister. Titus was a trouble-shooter and peacemaker.

When Paul left Ephesus after two years of hard work, and went to preach in the port city of Troas just up the road, he hoped to find his dear friend and co-laborer Titus. But Titus wasn’t in Troas, so Paul sailed on to Macedonia in search of him.

The Aroma of Christ

Paul was only in Troas for a short time, but the Lord opened a door for the gospel there. After two years of hard work and suffering in Ephesus, it was refreshing to show up and get a response in Troas. Paul attributed it to the “pleasing aroma of Christ” he carried about him.

Perhaps contrasting the response of the gentle people of Troas with the response of the “wild beasts” of Ephesus, Paul said,

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

It was a great responsibility to represent Christ in this way and even after all these years as a missionary, Paul was humbled by it. But he served the gospel; he didn’t try to make it serve him.

“Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” 2 Corinthians 2:17

Transformed into Christ’s Glorious Image

Paul referred to the Law of Moses as the ministry that brought death because all the law could do was instruct and then condemn sinners. It was glorious because it taught about the righteousness of God, but the law’s glory faded in the hands of sinners who broke it. And the more people looked into the law, the more discouraged they became.

“Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3:15-16

People who were forgiven through Jesus were free from bondage to the law. Jesus walked, talked and showed them how to live righteously by his example. The more Jesus’ followers contemplated his life and lived like him, the more they transformed into his image.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

Jars of Clay

God placed this glorious gospel light into people who were like jars of clay, brittle, commonplace, and most useful when completely surrendered to him. He shaped these jars, put them where he wanted them to be and used them in whatever ways he chose.

The jars of clay were often under pressure and in danger, but God didn’t let them break.

“For we are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.  2 Corinthians 4:11

The world and the devil hated the gospel and put up every kind of obstacle imaginable. Missionaries were opposed, arrested, locked up and driven out of town. But while that was happening, souls were also saved and churches were planted.

“So then death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:12

At Home with the Lord

Paul accepted exposing his earthly body to danger for the sake of the gospel because he knew where he was going after he died.

“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1

Real life – eternal life – was ahead of him. His life in heaven was so real to Paul that he was homesick for it.

“For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead by our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” 2 Corinthians 5:4

And what Paul wanted most was to be in Jesus’ presence, to see him face to face.

“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” 2 Corinthians 5:8-9

God’s Ambassadors

The life of a missionary was dangerous and even seemed absurd to people who didn’t understand it.

“If we are ‘out of our mind,’ as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:13-15

The message of salvation in Jesus had the power to make people completely new. Paul couldn’t look at anyone without thinking about what they would be like if they accepted Christ.

“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Paul lived like God’s ambassador, making God’s offer of salvation to the world.

“We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God . . . As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain . . . I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 – 6:2

Willing to Accept Hardships

It seems like writing about his zeal for the work of the gospel refreshed Paul. He listed the things he faced as a servant of God and it’s as if he signed up all over again.

He was willing to put up with:

• Tests of his endurance
• Troubles, hardships and distresses
• Beatings, imprisonments, and riots
• Hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger

He pledged to do it all with a good heart:

• In purity, understanding, patience and kindness
• In the Holy Spirit and in sincere love
• In truthful speech and in the power of God
• With weapons of righteousness in both hands

And Paul accepted whatever would be his lot:

• Through glory or dishonor
• Bad reports by others or good reports
• Genuine, yet regarded as an imposter
• Recognized, yet treated like a stranger
• Dying, yet living on
• Beaten, yet not killed
• Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing
• Poor, yet making many rich
• Having nothing, yet possessing everything

All Paul asked in return for the investment of his life was the opportunity to preach the gospel to people who were willing to listen.

“We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange – I speak as to my children – open wide your hearts also.” 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

I wonder if we are as convinced of the importance of the gospel as Paul was. His story shows us that there is nothing greater than  knowing Christ and making him known.