The Scripture readings I am doing right now are all from the letters of Paul. I am reading his letters and trying to put them into the context of the story told by Luke in Acts. I am presently re-reading 2 Corinthians. Any commentary I make is in italics:
2 Cor. 1 - In his opening and thanksgiving, he refers to God as the “God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged. . .” (3). We are strengthened by God that we may be equipped to pass on that strength to others, to make them feel that there is a source of strength and comfort for every affliction in our God. He tells them something they apparently already know—that he had to pass through some severe affliction in Asia, an affliction that “utterly weighed” him down; but he was delivered.
He speaks of knowing that he has conducted himself toward them “with the simplicity and sincerity of God” through God’s grace (12). He had planned to come to them on his way to Macedonia and then to return through Corinth again back to Judaea. But apparently he had to change plans and go from Troas (NW Anatolia]; they are disappointed, but he isn’t coming so as not to inflict pain on them. He wrote scolding them, not to cause them pain but to show his love.
2 Cor. 2 - He urges them to show love to wrong-doers they may have in their community. He will not argue with them for having forgiven them (10). He speaks of the opportunities that are created for the gospel - just by the “odor” or aroma believers give off—“an odor of life that leads to life” (16).
George Fox refers to this as well—see page 27 of his Journal where he says, “All things were new, and all the creation gave another smell unto me than before, beyond what words can utter.” Everything that touches the salvation work of God has this aroma.
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