Reading for Wednesday, Sept 19: 2 Cor 2

Paul urges the Corinthians to practice forgiveness (v7). Paul’s previous visit to these brothers was a painful one (v1), and his correspondence with them has been filled with anguish and tears (v4). Now Paul turns toward loving forgiveness, one of the hallmarks of the Christian community. He specifically identifies forgiveness as a counter to the attack of Satan (v11), “for we are not ignorant of his designs.”

As susceptible as we are to the enemy’s plans, God is more praiseworthy: “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ…” (v14-15). Our lives reek of Jesus. Our fragrance is grace. Our aroma is love.