2 Corinthians 2:14,15 - Christ leads us in triumphal procession

2:14

Paul and his co-workers had experienced many difficulties and trials, they had been tested way beyond their own capabilities. There are two or three key things in the way that Paul sums up the situation. First, they had been led as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession. The analogy is a Roman general leading his army together with its captives in a victorious procession after defeating the enemy. So Christ is always victorious. The difficulties did not result in defeat for Christ or the gospel, but only in its continued advance. Secondly, Paul views himself as a captive. One might have thought he would have counted himself as one of the soldiers. Throughout this letter he is contrasting the life of a true apostle with that of the super apostles. The super apostles would no doubt seen themselves as soldiers, or perhaps more likely as generals! They are in some ways like the prosperity teachers of today who see the gospel as all about them. Paul is having none of this. Finally, the gospel continues to be spread, the goal is that more and more people get to know about Christ.

2:15

Incense was sometimes used during sacrifices, and Paul describes himself and his co-workers as a pleasing aroma to God. The super-apostles may have been full of themselves, boasting about themselves. Paul was interested only in boasting about God. They brought the true aroma of God to people, both to those who were being saved, and to those who were pershing.