[October 14th, 1855.]
Exposition of the passage.
The apostle had been greatly cast down, but was comforted. He therefore thanked God who always caused him to triumph, and made him instrumental in diffusing the knowledge of Christ, which as a sweet savor was acceptable to God. The apostle himself, therefore, was acceptable to God, whether the result of his labors was the life or death of those to whom he preached. The doctrines here taught are,
I. That the knowledge of Christ is acceptable or pleasing to God. It is as an incense. It is pleasing to God that men should know Christ, i.e., recognize him as the Son of God, and worship, trust and obey him as such. This is the end of the preaching of the gospel, and this is the end which it will ultimately accomplish. This incense shall ascend from every altar, from every dwelling, and from every heart.
II. That ministers of the gospel are acceptable to God. He takes delight in them, as in a sweet savor. They are peculiarly his servants. Their work is a work which he approves and delights in. This is not true in a like sense or to the same degree of any other class of men, or of any other kind of service. It is only indirectly that others, such as men of other vocations or professions, or office, diffuse the knowledge of Christ, and are therefore a sweet savor unto God.
III. Christ himself—the knowledge of Christ, and, therefore also his ministers, are the means of life to some and of death to others. He was set for the fall and the rise of many in Israel. He came unto judgment, that those who see not might see, and those who see might be made blind. He was the corner-stone, and also a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence. What is true of him is true of his gospel, and of ministers. Wherever the gospel goes, or wherever ministers go, they bring life to some and death to others. This truth should weigh upon our minds and produce seriousness, anxiety, solicitude lest we should be the means only of death.
IV. The acceptableness of Christ, of the gospel and of ministers in the sight of God, does not depend on the effect produced. It is not only when men are saved by them, that they are agreeable to God, but also when men perish for neglecting the truth. Christ when mocked, scourged and crucified, was as acceptable to God as when enthroned. The gospel is as glorious and excellent when men reject it to their own condemnation, as when they believe. And ministers, if faithful, are as well-pleasing to God when unsuccessful as when successful. This should comfort and sustain them under all their trials. The missionary who labors for years without a convert is still as incense in the estimation of God. Men do not so view the matter. Ministers through unbelief often regard themselves as rejected and disowned when no visible effects follow their labors. But God views the matter in a different light. Successful or unsuccessful, the faithful minister is equally acceptable to God.
V. To be thus acceptable to God it is necessary,
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That we should not huckster the word of God. That is, 1st. We should not make gain of it, use it for our own advantage, make it a means of our own honor or profit. 2d. We should not adulterate it. It is only the pure gospel that is an (odor of a sweet smell), and therefore only those who offer or diffuse the pure gospel. Adulterated truth and those who diffuse it are an offense, and as smoke in the nostrils of God.
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We must be sincere, pure-minded, acting from pure motives.
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We must be actuated by God, governed by his Spirit.
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We must act as in his presence.
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We must speak in Christ, as true Christian men and ministers, united to him and deriving all things from him.
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