NOTES for Co2 2:12-17

In today's reading, the apostle Paul offers us a kind of verbal icon. It may be compared with Isaiah's vision in the Temple in Jerusalem or with the images of the Apocalypse. This icon reveals the God to Whom we offer thanksgiving. Thanksgiving makes us not merely spectators but participants in what is depicted—such is the law of spiritual life.

The apostle then speaks of God in action, of the One Who said of Himself: “I brought you out of Egypt with a strong hand and an outstretched arm.” His action is limited by no conditions; He always leads us in triumph in Christ. But here is the wonder: what kind of triumph is meant? Triumph in Christ turns out to be God's spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of Himself, like the blowing of a gentle breeze revealed to the prophet Elijah.

“The fragrance of the knowledge of God” is a somewhat refined expression, for the Greek original simply says “the smell of the knowledge of Him.” Who does not remember the children's tales in which it was said that “it smells of Rus'”? A smell is a perceptible sign of the presence of something invisible. God is invisible, but the people come to know Him, and this wafts in the air, making His presence perceptible.

Let us imagine that we heard something similar to what Paul learns about the Corinthian community was happening in some church. What would you feel? Perhaps they can no longer be called Christians, and we had better have nothing at all to do with them? As we see, Paul did not conceal his indignation, yet he writes his letters, which are at times very harsh, “out of much affliction... and with many tears,” so that they might know his love.

The sinner grieved by his sin not only God and not only Paul, who had gathered this community, but the entire Corinthian church (5). Yet Paul fears that the punishment imposed by the community might lead to an even greater evil: tension in relationships, estrangement, and departure from the Church. So that the repentant person “might not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow,” he must be forgiven and comforted. Otherwise, where is our Christian forgiveness? On the other hand, if we “lower the bar” and do nothing but comfort those who sin, will that not lead to still more terrible consequences in the community of believers? How can we avoid falling into either extreme: indulgence toward sin passed off as Christian forgiveness, or cruelty and self-exaltation presented as rigor and uncompromising opposition to evil? Verse 10 is very important, for it speaks of forgiving “on behalf” of someone. Moreover, Paul speaks of forgiving the sinner “on behalf of Christ,” on behalf of the whole Church.

At the end of the passage Paul compares the procession of Christ’s army to the return to Rome of an army led by a commander who has won a victory. Aromatic substances were burned along his route, and captured enemies, with whom the powers of darkness are apparently compared, were executed. Let us not forget who stands at the center of this procession and for whom the fragrances are intended.