Walk in Triumphant Thankfulness: 2 Corinthians 2:14
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place.”
—2 Corinthians 2:14 (CSB)
Background
In the second letter to the church at Corinth, Paul sought to strengthen the believers to stand firm in living out their faith among one another. He encourages them to forgive, comfort, and care for each other so that they can resist Satan and all his ways (2 Cor. 2:10–11).
Paul is vulnerable in his writing. As he prepares to visit the people, he shares with them that he has struggled as well. He explains that although the Lord opened the opportunity for him to share the gospel in Troas, he was too troubled because he could not find his brother Titus. So he left and went on to Macedonia (2 Cor. 2:12–13). These words set the framework for 2 Corinthians 2:14 which encourages the church to give thanks to God who uses the lives of every believer to spread the knowledge of who He is wherever one goes.
Exposition
Understood in the context of Paul’s writing, it is clear that 2 Corinthians 2:14 is more than just an easy statement of passively sharing the gospel.
It was through Paul’s inner turmoil, his own personal troubles, distress, and distractions, that he was able to confidently give this word of thanks. He was able to see how his journeys were not through his own strength or ability, but that everywhere he went was in the path that Christ already prepared.
Christ had already triumphed over every aspect of what He called Paul to. It is through His power and Spirit alone that Paul was able to spread the knowledge of who God is everywhere he went.
Second Corinthians 2:14 reminds us that all of the ability and the glory belong to God for all that He has called His people to.
Application
Today all believers are all called to something, someone, somewhere. Whether one is an overseas missionary, pastor, mechanic, or teacher, God has prepared a path for each one to spread the aroma of who He is.
Additionally, the believer can take great comfort in knowing that Christ is victorious, He has already triumphed over every obstacle, and He works in and through His people to proclaim His gospel.
Paul demonstrated compassion and understanding for the believers in Corinth, and he also expressed his own areas of turmoil and struggle. But the focus of his message to them was thankfulness to God that through each step of his journeys, God was so faithful to order his steps and use his life to proclaim the gospel of Christ.
The modern church must heed this passage in a response of thankfulness. It is easy to focus on the difficult circumstances that entangle and distract. Satan uses these moments in an attempt to prevent God’s people from being effective in His work, and to place division between believers so that they give a wrong message to the world of who His church is.
Just as Paul warned the people at Corinth to be wary of Satan’s schemes in verse 11, the same is still true for today. But let the focus of Paul’s words be the focus now as well: thankfulness.
We must acknowledge the triumph of Christ and walk in it as we live life daily so that we can be most effective in allowing Him to use us.
As teachers of the Word of God, it is essential to instruct students to have unity, compassion, forgiveness, and love for one another. This is the heart that He can most effectively work and use to proclaim the gospel.
And finally, students, just as all believers, must understand that it is not just a future destination where God wishes to use them. Their journey of following God’s will and being used by God begins right now and continues for the entire journey.
Emily Dhakal lives in Louisiana where she serves in various ministries at First Baptist of Ponchatoula. She is currently an ESL teacher and writer. She attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where she earned a Master of Divinity in Missions and a Master of Arts in Discipleship. She loves passionately and pursues God and whatever His plans are for her future.
