But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. NIV

We are going to spend a few days in this final paragraph of chapter 2. Before we look at the details, here is a quote from Paul Barnett which will help to give it context:

‘The general picture in verse 14a is of a Roman victory procession, though Paul’s specific point is somewhat uncertain, as witnessed by the variety of suggestions as to the precise meaning. Military leaders were granted a public victory procession (triumphas) through Rome only after winning major battles. The most spectacular procession of the first century was the celebration of the conquest of the Jews when, in AD 71, the Emperor Vespasian and his son Titus rode in chariots through the streets of Rome behind their pathetic prisoners of war. Josephus, the Jewish historian, records this at length, and it is also depicted on the Titus Arch in Rome, where it may still be seen. It is not clear whether Paul sees himself as the conquering general or his captive. A case can be made for both, though the apostle as a captive slave seems more likely.’

You will see that both the ‘New Living Translation’ and the ‘New International Version’ interpret it as the latter, whereas the ‘English Standard Version’, for example, simply reads: ” But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession…” However, as we have already seen, the atmosphere of 2 Corinthians would suggest that Paul appeared more like a captive slave than a winner.

But ‘things are seldom what they seem.’ This man who could be called a loser, really was a winner This was the ‘inner reality’ of his ministry.