2:14 What exactly does Paul mean here that God always causes us to triumph in Christ?
2:14 What exactly does Paul mean here that God always causes us to triumph in Christ?
This is a much debated verse among Christians and many meanings are ascribed to it. One is that Paul draws from the imagery of a Roman army procession where the victor of a battle parades in triumph for all to see. Another is that God displays Christians to the world as a triumph of the redeeming grace of Christ.
The view adopted in this study is that God always, and in every place, enables believers to carry on an effective ministry despite the difficulties they may encounter in the way (CP Jn 16:33; Ro 8:31-39; 1Cor 15:57; Php 4:13; 1Jn 4:4; 5:4-5).
The phrase and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place in 2Cor 2:14 means that God uses believers to make known the gospel of salvation wherever they go (CP 2Cor 4:5-6; 1Pe 2:9; 2Pe 1:19).
Wherever believers are an influence for the gospel God is pleased. (CP Mt 25:20-23; Lu 19:11-19). The gospel however, is a double-edged sword. To those who reject it, it means death - they will be judged by it; to those who accept it, it means life (CP 2Cor 2:15-16 with Mt 21:42-44; Jn 3:16-18, 36; 1Cor 1:18-24; He 4:12-13; 1Pe 2:6-9).
Christians have a big responsibility in proclaiming the gospel; they have to proclaim it as it is, not water it down to a gospel of easy-believism as many in Paul's day did, and many today are still doing, for personal gain (CP 2Cor 2:17 with 1Cor 5:8; 2Cor 1:12; 4:1-2; 1Th 2:4-5; 1Pe 4:11).