the fragrance of Christ in God

[stranger]

'We are the fragrance of Christ in God.'
The dual nature of Paul's analogy for believers and unbelievers.

Paul is making the case that believers are a fragrance of Christ to God. What is interesting about this statement is how Paul developes the analogy for believers and for unbelievers. For believers the Apostle Paul describes the fragrance as an aroma from life to life, while for unbelievers the aroma is from death to death. This is a remarkable Apostolic truth as it centers upon the universal experience of life and death.

In a previous tread the question of was raised in the context of limited atonement (now locked) - here I want to just focus on the text below:

2 Corinthians 2 (New American Standard Bible)
15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life And who is adequate for these things?
17For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

Paul's analogy v15 and v16 ends with a contrast between many who peddle God's word - perhaps afraid to offend with the implication of the aroma of death, and those (Paul and companions) speaking sincerely in Christ in the sight of God. Such speaking is apostolic speaking and it is a good litmus test for our faith to see which side of v17 we belong to.

Comments please?

blessings in Christ

 

[whirlwind]

'We are the fragrance of Christ in God.'
The dual nature of Paul's analogy for believers and unbelievers.

Paul is making the case that believers are a fragrance of Christ to God. What is interesting about this statement is how Paul developes the analogy for believers and for unbelievers. For believers the Apostle Paul describes the fragrance as an aroma from life to life, while for unbelievers the aroma is from death to death. This is a remarkable Apostolic truth as it centers upon the universal experience of life and death.

In a previous tread the question of was raised in the context of limited atonement (now locked) - here I want to just focus on the text below:

2 Corinthians 2 (New American Standard Bible)
15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life And who is adequate for these things?
17For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

Paul's analogy v15 and v16 ends with a contrast between many who peddle God's word - perhaps afraid to offend with the implication of the aroma of death, and those (Paul and companions) speaking sincerely in Christ in the sight of God. Such speaking is apostolic speaking and it is a good litmus test for our faith to see which side of v17 we belong to.

Comments please?

blessings in Christ

I find it interesting that (15) states the sweet savour is in them that are "being saved." The KJV shows it as "are saved" but Bullinger shows the text as you have quoted, "being saved." It makes one think....is there more to the final outcome than our initial acceptance and repentance? So, we are in the process of being saved? Sort of throws out the "once saved always saved" teaching. :yes

You think that those that perish do so because they are "afraid to offend?"

I saw a verse yesterday that applies to this....

• Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

I agree...it is indeed a litmus test.

 

[Heneni]

Thanks for an interesting OP.

The OP brought to light something that i have noticed the last couple of years, is that the aroma of death is pleasing to those that are dying. I have also found that the aroma of some who call themselves christians might stink to some other 'christians' , but to god it smells just fine. In the same way those who call themselves christians and whom the world loves, are really stinking up heaven. WOE are you oh christian, when people of the world think well of you...it means you are smelling like they are. Of death. :o

Heneni

 

[Ret]

'We are the fragrance of Christ in God.'
The dual nature of Paul's analogy for believers and unbelievers.

2 Corinthians 2 (New American Standard Bible)
15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life And who is adequate for these things?
17For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

When I first came to grips with these verses I was a bit overwhelmed that people could hear the very same gospel from the same verses of scripture and yet have opposite view points.

It will be a blessed day when believers have 'unity of the spirit' as it was in the days of the apostles! And, looks like that will come when and as we face the same kind of trials and persecutions. But then, don't think any of them/us will be buying and selling the truth at this time either!

 

[stranger]

whirlwind wrote:

I find it interesting that (15) states the sweet savour is in them that are "being saved." The KJV shows it as "are saved" but Bullinger shows the text as you have quoted, "being saved." It makes one think....is there more to the final outcome than our initial acceptance and repentance? So, we are in the process of being saved? Sort of throws out the "once saved always saved" teaching. :yes

You think that those that perish do so because they are "afraid to offend?"

Yes, we are being presently saved. Just before Jesus died on the crooss he said : 'it is finished'. I once had a discussion with two brothers who understood this to mean our salvation is finished to which I replied: our salavtion is finished when we are glorified and in possession of the new heavens and the new earth. Also when Jesus said 'it is finished' - His redemptive work was not finished so He could not have been referring to that. The Gospel does not finish with the death of Jesus -- but there follows the burial, and resurrection, ascension and so on..

The fear to offend is a paralysis of the spiritual life - unless we confess Christ before men, why should He confess us before the Father? i've even heard there are Jews who believe in Jesus but are afraid how other Jews will react, so they keep their testimoy to themselves. Unfortunately it is something I am guilty of to.

I saw a verse yesterday that applies to this....

• Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

I agree...it is indeed a litmus test.

While we acknowledge that Paul was being their friend in telling the truth - the hearers were presumeably offended and turned against him. If Paul had watered down his message - the hearers would not have been offended. Thanks for the comments.

blessings in Christ

 

[stranger]

Ret wrote:

When I first came to grips with these verses I was a bit overwhelmed that people could hear the very same gospel from the same verses of scripture and yet have opposite view points.

It will be a blessed day when believers have 'unity of the spirit' as it was in the days of the apostles! And, looks like that will come when and as we face the same kind of trials and persecutions. But then, don't think any of them/us will be buying and selling the truth at this time either!

When believers react differently to other believers or their reaction is similar to how non-believers react to the same text - overwhelming is as good a word as any. To be in a state of being 'lasped' in the face of persecution, trials or suffering - is a worst case scenario that threatens salvation. Thanks for your comments also.

blessings in Christ.

 

[stranger]

Thanks for an interesting OP.

The OP brought to light something that i have noticed the last couple of years, is that the aroma of death is pleasing to those that are dying. I have also found that the aroma of some who call themselves christians might stink to some other 'christians' , but to god it smells just fine. In the same way those who call themselves christians and whom the world loves, are really stinking up heaven. WOE are you oh christian, when people of the world think well of you...it means you are smelling like they are. Of death. :o

Heneni

Hi,

It's one of these 'asides' that I have come across and find interesting. While some persons show a degree of remorse for wrong doing, others love it and hate what is good. That it's not said in so many words -- but can be observed to be true is quite remarkable. Thanks for your comments.

blessings in Christ

 

[whirlwind]

whirlwind wrote:

I find it interesting that (15) states the sweet savour is in them that are "being saved." The KJV shows it as "are saved" but Bullinger shows the text as you have quoted, "being saved." It makes one think....is there more to the final outcome than our initial acceptance and repentance? So, we are in the process of being saved? Sort of throws out the "once saved always saved" teaching. :yes

You think that those that perish do so because they are "afraid to offend?"

Yes, we are being presently saved. Just before Jesus died on the crooss he said : 'it is finished'. I once had a discussion with two brothers who understood this to mean our salvation is finished to which I replied: our salavtion is finished when we are glorified and in possession of the new heavens and the new earth. Also when Jesus said 'it is finished' - His redemptive work was not finished so He could not have been referring to that. The Gospel does not finish with the death of Jesus -- but there follows the burial, and resurrection, ascension and so on..

The fear to offend is a paralysis of the spiritual life - unless we confess Christ before men, why should He confess us before the Father? i've even heard there are Jews who believe in Jesus but are afraid how other Jews will react, so they keep their testimoy to themselves. Unfortunately it is something I am guilty of to.

[quote:1z7puo7t]I saw a verse yesterday that applies to this....

• Galatians 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

I agree...it is indeed a litmus test.

While we acknowledge that Paul was being their friend in telling the truth - the hearers were presumeably offended and turned against him. If Paul had watered down his message - the hearers would not have been offended.

Thanks for the comments.
blessings in Christ[/quote:1z7puo7t]

I very much agree with your statements! :yes

Blessings to you....WW