Paul famously described the knowledge of God as an aroma spreading to those hearing the message of the gospel—to the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.

Part of the aroma swirls around the message itself. One group hears the good news of Jesus and quickly realizes their need for a savior. They’ve found what they desired but never knew existed. Others hear the word and recoil, unwilling to confront the issues between them and the Lord.

Another wisp of the aroma involves the messenger. Paul lays this out: Unlike to many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

I stink up the gospel message if I peddle the word of God for profit. Rather damning for preachers with private jets, but also for anyone using their platform of teacher to extract from the taught. The Pharisees were guilty, and it’s striking that even at the beginning of the Christian church this issue arose.

Ever covetous, our hearts.

Paul also wrote a worker is worthy of his wages (1 Timothy 5:18). We should compensate well those who carry the gospel—and as one who carries the gospel I’m much appreciative. But hawking God’s word merely for profit cheapens the message. Those who need it most smell unsavory motives.

In other words, it stinks.

Like me, if you talk about the gospel, give yourself a good sniff test. I want those around me to smell only the aroma of Jesus, for good or for ill.

2 Corinthians 2 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Mulyadi