II Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
Paul began this chapter refering back to his previous letter to them, with all the admonitions he needed to give them over their division, immorality, and idolatry. He did not want to have to focus on those things so much in this letter but preferred to focus on the deeper truths of the Gospel. Paul wanted them to understand what his role as an apostle really was, using here a picture familiar to those in the Roman Empire: the processional of a victorious king. Here, of course, Christ is the King, and as He cannot greet each individual personally and hand out the plunder of victory, He has entrusted that to His servants. The parade would include flowers and fragrances that would leave a refreshing trail. As a servant, Paul was not just a hired circus hand; he was a commissioned officer in the army of God who would not betray Him. May we join in serving Him the same way.
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