2 Corinthians 2:9–17

⁹Because for this reason also I wrote, in order that I could know your proven character, whether you are obedient in everything. ¹⁰Now to whomever you forgive anything, I also do; for indeed, whatever I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, it is for your sake^d in the presence of Christ, ¹¹in order that we may not be exploited by Satan (for we are not ignorant of his schemes).

Triumphant Ministry in Christ

¹²Now when I^* arrived in Troas for the gospel of Christ and a door was opened for me by the Lord, ¹³I did not experience rest in my spirit, because^e I did not find Titus my brother, but saying farewell to them, I departed for Macedonia. ¹⁴But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ, and who reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of him through us in every place. ¹⁵For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, ¹⁶to those on the one hand an odor from death to death, and to those on the other hand a fragrance from life to life. And who is qualified for these things? ¹⁷For we are not like the majority who peddle the word of God, but as from pure motives—but as from God—we speak before God in Christ.