"To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life" (2 Cor. 2:16).
The goal of Paul’s ministry was that the knowledge of Christ might be known throughout the world. “Knowledge here, as so often elsewhere in Scripture, means not merely intellectual cognition, but spiritual apprehension and recognition,” Hodge wrote. “That men should know the Lord Jesus Christ in the sense of recognizing, loving, and worshiping Him as God manifest in the flesh, is the consummation of redemption; the sum of all blessedness and excellence.” Wherever Paul went—wherever any faithful minister preaches—this was his proclamation: the sweet knowledge of Christ.
This proclamation, this “fragrance of His knowledge,” has a varied effect on its hearers. For those who accept it, it is life itself, but for those who despise it, it is death. As Christ is to some a cornerstone of salvation, precious and glorious, to others He is a stone of offense. Some who hear the Gospel will turn from their sin and embrace life, but others will be hardened by it as they refuse to humble themselves before the Lamb of God. In this sense, the Gospel and the ministers who proclaim it are the cause of life for some and of death to others. “The word of God is quick and powerful either to save or to destroy,” Hodge commented. “It cannot be neutral. If it does not save, it destroys.… If a man rejects the Gospel, it had been far better for him never to have heard it. It will be more tolerable for Sodom in the day of judgment than for him.”
Realizing the weight of his calling, Paul asked the question, “Who then is competent for this work?” At first, we think the answer would be “No one in himself, but only those who depend on Christ.” While this is certainly true, it is not Paul’s point. There were those in Corinth who were false, insincere teachers, who taught out of selfish motives. Those, then, who are competent to carry such a burden that will bring either death or life are those who are sincere, godly ministers who do not corrupt the Word of God by trying to please men and appeal to those who are hostile to the truth. Neither do they use the ministry to advance their own reputation, but they serve Christ with pure motives and speak as in the presence of God and as true Christian men.
You should not be surprised that some will reject the Gospel and even be hostile to you when you try to tell them the truth. What should you do when someone rejects the Gospel? If you are tempted to change the message, think of Paul who proclaimed the truth faithfully and sincerely. Be encouraged by his example.
